Drywall vs Plaster: What's Best for Guelph Homes?

If you own an older Guelph home, you've likely encountered plaster walls. And if you're renovating, you've probably wondered whether to restore the plaster, drywall over it, or tear it out and start fresh. Here's a practical comparison for Guelph homeowners.

A Brief History: Why Guelph Homes Have Plaster

Homes built in Guelph before the 1950s almost universally used lath-and-plaster construction. Thin wood strips (lath) were nailed horizontally across wall studs, and multiple coats of lime or gypsum plaster were troweled over them. This process was labour-intensive but produced extremely hard, durable walls.

Drywall (also called gypsum board or gyproc) became standard in Canadian construction during the 1950s and 1960s as a faster, cheaper alternative. Today, virtually all new construction and most renovations in Guelph use drywall.

Plaster: Pros and Cons

Advantages of plaster:

• Extremely hard and durable — resists dents and impacts better than drywall
• Excellent soundproofing (dense three-coat plaster significantly reduces sound transmission)
• Beautiful smooth finish that many homeowners prefer aesthetically
• Historic character in older Guelph homes

Disadvantages of plaster:

• Expensive and slow to repair — few tradespeople specialize in plaster today
• Cracks over time as buildings settle, especially in Guelph's freeze-thaw climate
• Heavy — adds significant weight to wall structure
• Cannot easily be patched to match original texture

Drywall: Pros and Cons

Advantages of drywall:

• Fast installation — a room can be drywalled in a day vs. weeks for plaster
• Easy and inexpensive to repair
• Available in many specialty types (moisture-resistant, fire-rated, soundproof)
• Any drywall contractor can work with it — more competition means better prices in Guelph

Disadvantages of drywall:

• Less hard than plaster — more susceptible to dents and dings
• Loses structural integrity when wet — critical to use moisture-resistant types in bathrooms
• Doesn't match the texture of original plaster (matters for heritage restoration)

What Should You Do With Plaster Walls in Your Guelph Home?

Keep/restore plaster if: The walls are in good condition, you're in a heritage district, or you value the soundproofing and aesthetic character.

Drywall over plaster if: The plaster is cracking but structurally sound, you want a faster renovation, and the slight reduction in room dimension is acceptable.

Remove plaster and install drywall if: Plaster is severely damaged, you need to access wiring or plumbing in the walls anyway, or you're doing a full gut renovation.

The team at Guelph Drywalling has extensive experience with both plaster restoration and new drywall installation in Guelph's older and newer homes. Contact us for an assessment and recommendation specific to your home.