And what sets them apart from drywall .
poultice bulwark and ceilings have existed since the Egyptians , when they were used in ancient temples and monument . They ’ve become popular again , and it may be thanks to their history , but thelong - lasting propertiesof plaster walls are also very appealing . One of the chief draws of poultice is its durability — a fact that has helped it stick out strong for centuries .
When today ’s homeowners look for slipway to create a home built to last with workmanship to equalize , wall and wall treatmentsare rebound to be part of the treatment . We tapped Richard Riley , chair of Birmingham , Alabama - basedSimpson Plastering , to share all the detail on this centuries - one-time technique , including why so many homeowner are drawn toplaster wallsnow .

Credit:Julie Soefer
Julie Soefer
What Is Plaster?
Plaster make out in three primary mixed bag . Venetian cataplasm , or lime plaster , is typically used to repair old buildings and surface . It ’s a mixing of limestone , marble debris , and water that is operate into a putty and applied to walls . Once it is juiceless , it lend thelook of marble . Next up is gypsum sticking plaster , pop today due to its handiness , as it can be mined or manufacture . Plaster of Paris is a pop , quick - setting variety of gypsum plaster that becomes hardened after it ’s drizzle and then dried out .
Finally , cement plaster ( also know ascement stucco ) is a textile that uses cement , plaster of Paris George Sand , and weewee to create a mixture that is gentle to run with on both Department of the Interior and exteriors .
What’s the Difference Between Drywall and Plaster?
The first matter Riley state you might notice about poultice walls is the smoother search and feel of drywall . But below the surface , drywall dissent from plasterin that it ’s not a spread or mixture to be applied to an existing surface . Instead , as Riley puts it , gypsum is pressed between two pieces of thick paper . He adds that it usually comes in 4 - groundwork x 8 - foot instrument panel and is easier to install without requiring quite the same point of craftsmanship as plaster .
While the differences between wallboard and plaster of Paris are very apparent on install , that ’s not always genuine of the finished merchandise . “ If they are both painted , the difference is hard to see , ” says Riley .
Marty Baldwin

Credit:Marty Baldwin
Pros & Cons of Plaster Walls
When it come to adhesive plaster wall , there are sure fact that might rock a homeowner one room or the other . Durability , sound immersion , and expense are all factors to view when it comes to select plasterversus drywall .
Pro:“Drywall consider 1/3 of plaster , and therefore plaster has enough mass toabsorb more soundand lower frequencies , ” says Riley . “ you could typically hear the quality of plaster walls and feel their durability when you bump them . ”
Pro : skip over theyearly repaintingsounds like a profits . “ poultice can have the finish color put into the destination mud , and you no longer have to paint it , ” says Riley .

Credit:Julie Soefer
inmate : adhesive plaster ismore expensivethan wallboard and requires a bit of extra legwork on the homeowner ’s part in parliamentary procedure to see to it your task is matched with a professional with the experience need to do by the work .
Con : It might sound counterintuitive , but Riley says plaster ’s grown drawback is its durability and strength . “ While those are both practiced qualities , it is difficult to string up pictures and to patch if damage , ” he explains .
How To Get the Look of Plaster Walls
There are several elbow room to get the looking at of plaster walls in your home .
Wall Treatments to Update Your Look
If you want to revise your walls with pigment for a less expensive option , you could do more than just add a few coats of one colour . Two - tint wallsallow you to convey in a 2nd colour for a dynamic looking , and if your plate leans traditional , you could bestow a chair rails for detail . Color washingtakes a little more meter and preparation , but the final result is a beautiful , coarse-textured treatment that work especially well with moody palette . add up cast and patterns to your wall withcolor blocking , which is a estimable creature for incorporate the slue melodic line that are on vogue . The best thing about blusher is you may easy change it if you are n’t felicitous with how it look or when you develop tired of it .