Renovlies or plastering? Compare the pros and cons
Renovlies or plastering: nearly identical looks, completely different price and durability. Honest tradesman advice for new builds, renovations and families.
The same look, a completely different price tag
You're about to tackle your living room or bedroom and want smooth, clean walls. Two options are on your mind: plastering or Renovlies. To the eye, they're barely distinguishable from each other. Both deliver a flat wall with a plastered finish. But that's where the similarities end.
We get this question every week from new-build residents who've just received their keys, and from people renovating their existing home for sale or for themselves. Our honest comparison, drawn from real experience and not from a sales brochure, is below.
New build: Renovlies or plastering?
A new-build home still holds a lot of moisture in the walls from the construction phase. This dries out over the first 1 to 3 years, causing the wall to shrink slightly. The result: small shrinkage cracks in the concrete or sand-lime brick.
- If you choose plastering, those cracks show up one-to-one in the plaster layer. Hairline cracks at corners, windows and doors are especially likely to reappear.
- If you choose Renovlies, the material absorbs the shrinkage. The wall stays smooth, even after three or four years.
For new builds, Renovlies is therefore the smarter choice in 9 out of 10 cases. Not because plastering is inferior work, but simply because the construction process generates shrinkage cracks and Renovlies is specifically designed for that. Read our explanation of Renovlies in new builds and moisture permeability for the technical background.
Renovation: when does plastering make sense?
In older homes where the walls have been settled for years (the shrinkage happened long ago), plastering can work perfectly. It gives a beautiful, solid feel and lasts for many years. But it is considerably more expensive and more vulnerable to knocks, scratches and dents.
In practice, it comes down to this:
| Plastering | Renovlies | |
|---|---|---|
| End result (appearance) | Smooth, plastered | Smooth, plastered |
| Shrinkage cracks in new builds | Visible | Hidden |
| Impact resistance | Limited. A small dent causes damage | Good. Flexible backing |
| Repair when damaged | Tricky, often requires reworking the whole wall | Can be patched locally |
| Price | More expensive | 30-50% cheaper |
| Sound dampening | Slightly more solid feel | Comparable |
The advantages of Renovlies
- Looks like plasterwork, at a lower price
- Absorbs shrinkage cracks in new-build walls
- Impact-resistant and shrink-free
- Strong and durable material
- Fire-retardant and eco-friendly
- No itchy particles during application (unlike fibreglass wallcovering)
- Easy to repaint in any RAL colour you want
- Easy to repair when damaged
The difference shows in everyday use
Do you have children, pets, or furniture that regularly sits close to the wall? A plastered wall quickly picks up a dent, a scratch or a scuff. Repairs are usually visible. Renovlies absorbs a lot more without getting damaged. If something does happen, we can replace a section locally or re-coat a strip.
The impact-resistant nature and the ability to easily apply a fresh coat of paint, in a completely different colour if you like, also make Renovlies more practical in families with growing children. Read Renovlies colours and finishes for the options.
What if I'm not sure?
The choice between Renovlies and plastering is ultimately also a matter of personal preference. Some people want the authentic feel of plasterwork; others focus mainly on price, longevity and ease of use. We never give dogmatic advice: for a quiet sitting area in an older home, plastering can be perfectly fine, but for a new-build home with young children, Renovlies is almost always the better choice.
Not sure about the right approach for your specific situation? Also read our page on the downsides of Renovlies. We openly and honestly explain the drawbacks.
Our approach
At Renovlies.net, we've been working on residential and commercial projects in South Holland for over 10 years. We come by beforehand for a free inspection of the walls, give you a fair price and schedule the work so you can move into your home on time. One team fills, sands, applies Renovlies and paints the walls. No handovers between tradespeople, no excuses about what the "previous crew" should have done.
With our 100% coverage guarantee, you can be sure that shrinkage cracks won't show through to the final result. Give us the completion date at least two weeks before the work starts, and you can move in when you want: walls first, then floors and kitchen.
Request a no-obligation quote now and find out what a specialist team can do for your home.