When it comes time to make a choice between plaster walls or drywall, it pays to understand the difference between the two and how they differ in the installation process. Careful consideration should also be given to the desired finished appearance, how labor intensive the whole process is and of course, the cost involved, and overall Vancouver drywall contractor hourly rate.

The Main Differences Between Plaster Walls And Drywall

Installing drywall involves nailing sheetrock boards to studs ultimately giving the room a flawless and seamless appearance. The drywall process is not labor intensive at all, resulting in an inexpensive product. Many more buildings feature drywall than plaster as a result of the cost difference. Plaster wall is regarded as more of an art form and is, therefore, more expensive and time-consuming, although is textured in appearance and seen as a more sophisticated and upmarket. Plaster also has a more historical value as it is an older style of construction, sitting perfectly in the vintage market.

All About Plaster

Applying plaster yourself is not as simple as you may think. It takes a qualified drywall tradesman years to gain the expertise to be able to perfect the application technique. With this in mind, the home handyman can purchase plastic compounds pre-mixed as well as in the dry compound form that is prepared with water.

A more modern version of the plaster wall is available in the form of veneer plaster. Installed in the same way as sheetrock drywall panels, veneer plaster is made from gypsum panels similar to drywall, finished with multiple layers of veneer plaster giving the appearance of the traditional plaster wall.

All About Drywall

From the home handyman to the professional tradesman who you can find at https://drywallvancouver.ca, drywall can be installed by almost anybody. Drywall comes in wall-sized panels made of sheetrock. It is available in 1/2 inch and 5/8 inch thicknesses, which thickness you decide upon depends upon the level of sound proof-ness that you require as well as how much you may need to manipulate the board. Although 1/2 inch is less expensive and easier to manipulate, the 5/8 inch panels add a level of extra strength as well as drastically reduce the outside sound.

The panels can be cut to the required length, placed into position and securely fastened. A tool that can aid in this installation process is a sheetrock hanger. This tool can save a lot of time on your project as it lifts and holds your panel in place while you fasten it.

A very handy tip from the professionals is to use drywall screws as opposed to nails. The nails gradually make their way back out creating unwanted bumps in your finished product, while the drywall screws will hold steady even as your completed wall settles.

Difference In Cost

Including the expense of labor and application of both products, drywall is almost always less expensive than plaster wall. This takes into consideration the setup costs for a plaster wall application as opposed to the simple nail or screw in the technique used in the drywall installation.

A great solution for those of us who want a plaster wall look without all the fuss is the veneer plaster. Expense wise it sits in the middle ground and is very popular with those wanting the vintage look without the traditional mess of the plaster wall.

The most cost-efficient and sensible option for almost all areas of the average home is most definitely a drywall application.

Drywall Contractors Vancouver

Drywall Vancouver
82 E 37th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5W 1E2
(604) 229 – 3691

 

 

When you have a long crack that ranges from 2 to 5 feet, it is advisable to apply the patch plus primer onto the tape by using a 6-inch drywall knife. To be able to use the 6-inch drywall knife, you have to scoop a small amount of Patch plus primer into a mud pan to ease the exercise.

When applying the spackling, start at the center of the tape. Spread it onto the tape following a downward motion from the middle of the tape. Add the remaining spackling by moving in an upward manner from the tape’s central part. This procedure prevents the Fiberglass Mesh drywall Tape from wrinkling by stretching it along the crack. Give this coat some time to dry, preferably 30 to 40 minutes before moving on to the next step.

1. Add the second Patch plus liner coat
   The light coat in the previous step was to avoid having a large hump on the wall where you stuck the Mesh tape. Use the 6-inch drywall knife to apply the second patch plus primer coat. Apply the layer such that it is two inches to the left and two inches to the right of the central part of the tape. After this, smooth out your spackling with the drywall knife by beginning in the middle and moving towards the ends. To attain the best results, use slightly more pressure on the sides of your blade that are in contact with the wall. The change in force applied is meant to feather the Patch Plus Primer and makes it blend into the already existing drywall. You can apply up to 3 coats on the wall depending on how perfect you want the wall to look in the end.
2. Lightly Sand the Patch Plus Primer
   When working on small drywall repair jobs, a fine grit sanding sponge can be used to feather the edges of a joint compound or to spackle. This is done by lightly moving the sanding sponge in circles on the patched area. The circular motion that is made helps in blending the patch into the drywall. If the repair is done right, it should be impossible for the naked eye to note the difference on the patched area from the rest of the wall when you are done.
3. Paint your wall
   The 3M patch plus primer works to your advantage since you do not have to prime the wall again before applying paint. The piece plus primer will be ready to be painted over after 30 minutes or so. To achieve the best results use a high quality and reliable roller or paintbrush. An example of a suitable quality paint brush is a Purdy 2 inch brush whose bristles are durable and stay in good shape even after two years of use. The paintbrush should be well maintained if you want it to last long. This can be achieved by rinsing it in warm water after every use and wrapping it in Glad Press N Seal.

I hope this post serves to make you an expert DIY drywall crack guru. Keep in mind the skill will take some practice and an excellent eye to perfect. I have included some affiliate links in this post for you to visit from which I do earn a cut for any purchase derived from these links.

Post was created by the Drywall Vancouver blog – Vancouver Drywall Contractors

Drywall Vancouver
82 E 37th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5W 1E2
(604) 229 – 3691