When you enter a room, certain features can help you identify whether the walls are made of drywall or plaster. Both types of walls have distinct characteristics that can be noticed with a bit of observation. By examining the age of your home, the appearance of cracks, the texture of the walls, and performing simple tests, you can determine the type of wall you have. Understanding the differences between drywall and plaster is essential for making informed decisions about home renovations and repairs.
Drywall vs Plaster How To Tell
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Here are seven straightforward methods to determine the type of wall you have:
1. Determine When Your Home Was Built
2. Inspect for Cracks and Flaking Paint
3. Perform the Pushpin Test
4. Look Behind the Wall
5. Check the Attic or Basement
6. Observe the Wall’s Texture
7. Feel the Wall’s Temperature
1. Determine When Your Home Was Built
The construction date of your home can offer a strong hint about the type of walls it has. Plaster was commonly used before World War II. Although drywall was invented in 1916, it didn’t become popular for residential use until the 1950s. Here’s a simple guide based on your home’s age:
Before the 1940s: Most likely plaster walls
1950s-1960s: Could be either plaster or drywall
After the 1960s: Most likely drywall
Plaster walls often give a home an old-fashioned look, with the ability to create curved or arched designs, adding a high-end feel. On the other hand, drywall offers a more minimalist appearance and is best for straight walls.
Knowing the age of your house is a quick way to identify your wall type without any physical effort. However, it’s not foolproof, so if you want to be certain, move on to the next method.
2. Inspect for Cracks and Flaking Paint
Carefully examine your walls for cracks and flaking paint. These signs can help you distinguish between plaster and drywall. Drywall usually has fewer cracks, and if cracks are present, they are typically in smaller areas where joint compound has been used to seal seams or repair holes.
In contrast, plaster walls tend to have spider web-like cracks that spread in various directions. You might also notice flaking paint. During the era when plaster walls were prevalent, people often used oil-based paint. Sometimes, latex paint was applied over oil paint without the proper primer, leading to flaking paint. This is a strong indication that you have plaster walls. If you’re still uncertain, try the next tip.
3. Perform the Pushpin Test
The pushpin test is a simple method experts use to quickly identify wall types. Take a pushpin and press it into the wall with your thumb. If it goes in easily, you have drywall. If it doesn’t, it’s plaster. Drywall is softer, allowing the pin to penetrate easily.
In contrast, plaster walls, which are backed by lath, will resist a pushpin unless you use a hammer. Nails also face resistance when driven into plaster walls, often resulting in a larger hole than the nail.
If you don’t have a pushpin, try knocking on the wall instead. Knock continuously while moving sideways. Drywall produces a hollow sound followed by a dense sound when you hit a stud. Plaster walls maintain a consistent, thick sound.
4. Look Behind the Wall
Removing a switch plate or electrical socket can reveal the cross-section of the wall, providing a clear indication of whether it’s plaster or drywall.
For plaster walls, you’ll see layers of plaster without any paper backing, and possibly “keys,” where the plaster has seeped through the laths. For drywall, you’ll notice a layer of paper on either side of a white gypsum core. Additionally, wiring behind drywall is enclosed in an electrical box, unlike the loose wiring often found behind plaster.
5. Check the Attic or Basement
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Attics and basements often have unfinished walls, making it easier to see the construction materials. If you see plaster keys, loose wiring, and numerous wood strips of the same size, you have plaster walls. Plaster walls have laths nailed to studs and covered with layers of plaster.
In contrast, if you see wall studs standing vertically with greater spacing between them, you have drywall. The spacing of the wood studs explains why knocking on drywall alternates between hollow and dense sounds. You can also observe the electrical boxes used for wiring in drywall.
6. Observe the Wall’s Texture
Plaster walls usually have a more varied and textured surface compared to the smooth finish of drywall. Plaster can be applied in a variety of ways, creating a unique texture that can include swirls, waves or rough finishes. Drywall, on the other hand, typically has a smoother, more uniform surface because it is finished with joint compound and sanded down to create a flat surface.
7. Feel the Wall’s Temperature
Plaster walls tend to be thicker and denser than drywall, which can make them feel cooler to the touch. Drywall is thinner and often feels warmer, especially if the room is heated. By placing your hand on the wall, you might notice that plaster walls feel colder and more solid, while drywall feels warmer and slightly softer.
Final Thoughts
Before hiring drywall repair services or plaster wall repair services, identifying whether your walls are made of plaster or drywall can be done through simple observations and tests. Knowing the age of your home, inspecting for cracks and paint condition, performing a pushpin test, looking behind switch plates, and checking the attic or basement are all effective methods. Understanding the differences between plaster and drywall can help you make informed decisions about renovations and repairs, ensuring you choose the right materials and techniques for your walls.