Plaster creates a rougher but more interesting texture than spackling.
Spackling is a common term for drywall finishing, which is a process that uses joint compound to hide the seams and screws involved in attaching drywall to a building's interior. Plastering, on the other hand, can refer to traditional or veneer plastering. The two types of plastering employ different methods, but the effects are similar. Many people prefer plaster because of its advantages over spackling.
Traditional Plaster
Older homes sometimes feature a traditional form of plaster, which has a signature, aged look that is difficult to imitate. In those days, plasterers layered the material onto wood lathing in a series of coats, using wire brushes to score deep ridges at each stage. The ridges helped the plaster adhere. Still, over time, traditional plaster cracks and breaks away. To some people, this aged look is preferable to the uniform and smooth appearance of painted, spackled drywall.
Veneer Plaster
Modern plasterers cover installed sheets of blueboard, which is a type of drywall that features a special paper surface that bonds well with the plaster. This process is called veneer plastering, and it mimics the aged look of traditional plaster. Walls and ceilings that have a veneer plaster surface are harder and more durable than spackled drywall. Also, they provide better soundproofing, which is evident if you tap your knuckles on the different surfaces.
Aesthetic Advantages
Some people favor the slightly rougher texture of veneer plaster over the uniform and flat texture of drywall. Also, veneer plaster covers the entire surface of the blueboard, so paint adheres consistently and evenly across walls and ceilings. Spackling covers only the seams and screws, so paint may look different on areas where the paper surface of the drywall isn't covered with a coat of joint compound.
Costs
Generally, veneer plastering costs more than spackling, which is a disadvantage. But veneer plastering often is a one- or two-day project, depending on the scale of the project and the desired level of finish. Spackling, on the other hand, typically takes at least three days because the joint compound must dry fully between coats.
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