To find out what type of wall you have, tap it and look at the sound it makes or gently test the surface. Hollow sounds usually indicate drywall or hollow stud walls, while dense, solid thuds typically point to plaster, masonry, or concrete.
Identifying the type of wall can sometimes be tricky. The simplest way to tell is to tap your wall with your fist; a stud wall will be hollow sounding, as will a lathe and plaster wall. Dot and dab and, unsurprisingly, solid walls, will sound solid to the ear.
To quickly tell if your wall is plaster or drywall, try the pushpin test. Press a thumbtack into the wall with your thumb. If the pin penetrates easily, it is drywall. If it refuses to go in and cracks the surface, you have plaster.
To figure out exactly what kind of walls you have in your home, you can perform a few quick, simple tests. The age of your house is the biggest clue, as most homes built after the 1950s use drywall, while older historic homes often feature plaster or masonry.
Let's break down what sets them apart and how you can identify them.
Types of Walls in Building Construction
To quickly tell if your wall is hollow or solid, do the "knock test." Firmly tap on the wall with your knuckles. A hollow wall emits a loud, echoey, or hollow sound, whereas a solid wall produces a dull, dense, and quiet thud.
Gnaw Marks and Holes: Look for chew marks on wood, wiring, and drywall. Small, clean-cut holes are indicative of rodents. Larger, more torn-open holes could be a sign of a raccoon. Nests: If you can access the area, look for nests made of shredded materials like paper, insulation, or fabric.
An unfinished attic is a great way to get some insight into what your walls are made of. If you get up there and see sheets of material that are uniform-looking with a paper backing, that's drywall. If you see many thin strips of wood with hard, white material between them, you've got plaster walls.
Yes, you can drill into plaster walls, but it requires a careful, specialized approach to avoid cracking or crumbling the brittle surface. Use a masonry bit with a hammer drill for best results, starting with a small bit and working up. Always use wall anchors for hanging items to ensure stability.
Plaster walls offer a smoother, denser, and more artisanal appearance with subtle hand-troweled textures and flawless curves. In contrast, drywall looks highly uniform but features visible seams and corner joints that can sometimes telegraph through the paint.
Most homes today have either drywall or plaster walls. Drywall is lighter and easier to work with, so most picture hanging hardware goes in cleanly with minimal effort. Plaster is denser and more brittle, so it can crack if you're not careful and usually needs more deliberate drilling and sturdier anchors.
To quickly tell if your walls are plaster or drywall, try the pushpin test or check behind an outlet cover. Drywall is soft and uniform, while plaster is hard, thicker, and layered over wood or metal lath.
Type III: Exterior walls and structural elements are noncombustible or limited-combustible materials, and interior structural elements, walls, arches, floors, and roofs are wood that is smaller than what is required for Type IV construction.
Walls are generally categorized by their function (structural vs. non-structural), location (interior vs. exterior), and materials. Understanding whether a wall is supporting the building's weight or simply dividing space is crucial for any renovation or construction project.
How can I tell if my wall needs plastering or skimming? Plastering is needed for new builds, heavily damaged walls or structural repairs. Skimming is suitable for cosmetic updates, minor imperfections or refreshing older plaster.
Before drywall became popular, plaster was the go-to material for interior walls, thanks to its soundproofing capabilities and smooth finish. Plaster walls are harder and more durable than drywall, but they are also more expensive to install.
Most residential house walls are built using a framed structure. The interior is typically made of drywall attached to wood or metal studs, while the exterior features sheathing, a weather barrier, and a siding material like vinyl, wood, or brick.
Rats are most active between dusk and dawn, when you may hear scurrying, rustling or possibly scratching sounds in lofts, under floorboards or inside walls.
Leaving a dead animal can create health risks and attract other pests like cockroaches. It is best to remove it or have a professional handle the situation.
Identifying the Type of Wall
Plasterboard walls sound quite hollow when you tap them. Often they are built with vertical wooden studs, which the plasterboard is screwed into. Sometimes the studs are made of metal. If you're drilling into a Plasterboard Wall, its great if you can find a Stud to drill into.
Look at the Brick Pattern: If the bricks on your outer walls are laid in a regular pattern with all bricks facing the same direction (long side visible), it's likely a cavity wall. This pattern is because the wall is made of two layers, and the visible pattern is of the outer layer.
Determine if a wall can be safely knocked down by identifying if it is load-bearing. Non-load-bearing (partition) walls can usually be removed, while load-bearing walls require installing heavy structural beams first. Always hire a licensed structural engineer before knocking down any wall to avoid a dangerous collapse.