Plaster vs Drywall: Where Each Is Commonly Used
Two different wall-finishing systems with different histories and use cases today
How each is applied
Drywall is prefabricated gypsum board, hung in sheets and then taped and finished with joint compound at the seams. Plaster is a wet material applied by hand (or machine) in one or more coats over a lath or masonry substrate, building up thickness and finish through the application process itself rather than through prefabricated panels.
Why drywall became the dominant modern choice
Drywall generally installs faster and with less specialized labor than traditional plastering, which made it the dominant interior wall system in most new residential and commercial construction from the mid-20th century onward.
Where plaster is still common
Plaster remains common in the restoration and maintenance of older and historic buildings originally built with it, and in some regions and building traditions where plastering skills and preferences persist for new construction as well. It's also sometimes chosen for its distinctive finish texture and durability characteristics in specific applications.
Estimating implications
Because plaster is applied wet by area and coat thickness, it's calculated as a volume (area × thickness), similar to a very thin concrete pour, while drywall is calculated as a sheet count from area divided by sheet coverage — two genuinely different calculation methods for two different systems.