If you are looking to update your interior or exterior walls, you are possibly considering purchasing some building supplies to use as a coating. However, two construction supplies are commonly referred to interchangeably despite the fact that they have their special attributes during construction. A misconception people have is that they could indiscriminately opt for either stucco or plaster on their walls. And although both building supplies generally have the same purpose, they do differ significantly. Read on for the main differences between plaster and stucco.
Difference in applications
When it comes to applications, stucco is primarily used for exterior uses whereas plaster can be utilised for both interior and exterior purposes. Stucco has higher durability when compared with plaster, which makes it better suited to exterior applications that would expose the stucco to the elements. Nonetheless, this does not mean that plaster cannot be applied outdoors too. Although plaster is primarily used as moulding, over drywall and other interior applications, the plaster can be implemented on exterior walls that will be relatively sheltered from the elements to prevent premature degradation.
Difference in materials
Another vital difference between stucco and plaster is the materials they comprise. Standard stucco is created by mixing cement, sand and lime. These materials are inherently weather resistant, and this is what makes stucco ideal for exterior applications. Conversely, plaster is conventionally made from gypsum, lime and water but other materials can be incorporated depending on how dense you would like the mixture to be. Since plaster is softer in consistency, it is better suited to interior applications more than its stucco counterpart is. Both stucco, as well as plaster, would have to be given adequate time to cure and harden, but you will find that plaster dries much faster.
Difference in versatility
Regarding versatility, plaster tends to be much more flexible in its applications as compared to stucco. The first thing to note about stucco is that a wire lath needs to be integrated into the walls to hold the building supply in place. Thus, stucco is mainly suited to be used as cladding. On the other hand, plaster can be applied on a range of surface whether it is drywall or directly onto concrete. In addition to this, plaster can be used to create decorative moulds that can be placed on your property to add visual interest such as in the garden, at entryways and more. Therefore, plaster has many more uses during construction than stucco does.
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