The ongoing debate: plaster or renovlies?
As a buyer of a new-build home, you face a choice: do you have the walls plastered, or do you choose renovlies? Both methods have advantages and drawbacks. In this article we compare them honestly, so you can make a well-informed decision.
What is plasterwork?
Plasterwork is the application of a thin layer of gypsum or lime to the wall. The result is a perfect, smooth wall surface that is immediately ready for painting. Plasterwork has been used for centuries and is known for its clean appearance and long service life.
In new-build homes, gypsum plaster or finishing plaster is used most often. Applying it requires craftsmanship and a stable substrate.
What are the drawbacks of plasterwork in new-build homes?
The biggest drawback of plasterwork in new-build homes is the shrinkage process. A newly built house moves and dries intensively during the first two years. Plaster is rigid: it cannot absorb small movements in the substrate. The result is cracks in the plaster, sometimes within just a few months after handover.
This means you may have to deal with repairs in the first year. Depending on the contractor, these may be covered by warranty, but it is still inconvenient.
Plasterwork is also slower. After application, it must dry completely. Depending on thickness and ventilation, that can take two to five days. Only then can the walls be painted.
And plasterwork is more expensive. A full plastering project quickly costs EUR 20 to EUR 35 per m2, depending on quality and region. For an average new-build home, this adds up quickly.
What are the benefits of renovlies compared with plasterwork?
Renovlies provides exactly what plasterwork lacks in new-build homes: flexibility. The material moves with the substrate. Hairline cracks are absorbed into the fibre structure and do not show after painting.
Renovlies is also faster to apply. A team can wallpaper a complete home in a single day. After drying, usually within 12 to 24 hours, the walls can be painted straight away.
In terms of price, renovlies is considerably cheaper. Including material and labour, Bouwcons already offers a basic package from EUR 9 per m2. That is a substantial difference compared with a plastering project.
When is plasterwork still the better choice?
There are situations where plasterwork is preferable:
- In existing homes older than 3 years, where the shrinkage process has fully settled and the walls are completely stable - When you want the exceptionally smooth finish that is specific to plaster - In renovations where the walls are being demolished and rebuilt anyway
The combination: renovlies plus painting
Most buyers of new-build homes now choose the combination of renovlies plus latex painting. The end result is almost indistinguishable from plastered walls, but with the benefits of renovlies: flexibility with the structure, faster completion and lower cost.
At Bouwcons we offer this as complete packages, from the basic package with wallpapering included to the premium package with full latex finishing in your preferred RAL colour.
Conclusion
For new-build homes, renovlies is usually the smarter choice. It is cheaper, faster and better able to handle the unavoidable shrinkage of a new construction. Plasterwork still has its place, but in new-build properties the drawbacks usually outweigh the advantages.