Hey everyone! I just bought a charming 1920s home in Atlanta, GA, and I'm super excited about it. It's a cozy three-bedroom, two-bath place where my significant other and I plan to live for the next decade, and eventually turn into a rental when we upsize. The house has some vintage features like knob and tube wiring and asbestos siding, which I'm in the process of removing for safety and insurance reasons. Now, I'm at the stage where the insulation has been taken out for the electricians to work, and I'm wondering: should I just go ahead and take out the plaster walls to replace them with drywall? I'm trying to balance ease with keeping the house's value intact, so I'd love to hear your thoughts!
7 Answers
Honestly, I wouldn't remove the plaster. It really holds its character and charm, kind of like classic cars that shouldn't be repainted with cheap spray paint! If the plaster is in decent shape, paint it if you want, but demolition seems like overkill to me.
If your plaster is looking good, I'd say keep it! A fresh coat of paint can do wonders. No need to tear it out unless it's really necessary. Your home is full of character, so why strip that away?
You might want to consider the lead paint issue with your plaster. Demolition could get pricey, especially with safety in mind. I’m currently remodeling my old plaster home and it’s a process!
Honestly, I wouldn’t even hesitate to demo the plaster. It’s more hassle than it’s worth for me — patching, installation, and old paint are just a pain. I regret not getting rid of it during my renovations.
I had to take down a 20-foot plaster wall, and it was a nightmare. Heavy chunks, tons of dust, and it took forever to fix up. If you're considering a whole-house project, you better be ready for a lot of time and frustration! But if you can, keep the plaster—it’s worth the effort if it’s in good shape.
There are definitely pros and cons to plaster. On the plus side, it’s more fire-resistant, provides better sound isolation, and is tough against dents. On the downside, it can be tricky to patch up and more of a hassle to remove. Personally, I'd keep the plaster and only replace it with drywall in areas that require major work, like during rewiring. Plus, the water resistance is an added bonus!
Totally agree! Patching plaster is a breeze compared to drywall. Plus, remember that with lath, you can hang things without anchors.
I actually went ahead and removed all my plaster, and I’m really glad I did! It allowed me to insulate better and fix any uneven walls. But finding someone to repair plaster work is becoming super rare.
Thanks for sharing! You've really helped me see the value in keeping the plaster, even if it makes hanging things a bit of a challenge.