What is Dot & Dab Plastering? Pros & Cons

Dot and dab has been a mainstay in the plastering trade for generations, offering speed, convenience and a clean finish on uneven surfaces. However, it’s not a miracle cure; there are times when it’s effective and others when it just papers over the cracks (sometimes literally).

Understanding when dot and dab comes into its own is a key skill to getting a good, long-term finish on any internal wall. Here, we run-down the basics of what the technique involves, its advantages and disadvantages, and for which scenarios it’s best suited.

What is Dot & Dab Plastering?

Dot and dab is probably the most popular method of drylining, sticking plasterboard directly onto internal walls to make a smooth finish.

As the name suggests, this method involves putting thick dots of plasterboard adhesive onto the wall at regular intervals around the edges and centre of where the plasterboard will be placed. Then, as the plasterboard is pushed against the wall, the adhesive flattens and spreads.

The plasterboard can be adjusted as the adhesive sets, tapping in from one side to the other until the board’s surface is flat and aligned with other boards and things like skirtings, ready for finishing.

What are the Pros & Cons of Dot & Dab?

As with almost anything in the trade, there are advantages and disadvantages to dot and dab plastering compared to its alternatives, namely wet plastering and stud walls. That’s why it’s crucial to understand what solution suits a specific scenario.

The biggest advantage to dot and dab is its speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness. Compared to alternatives, dot and dab is almost always cheaper and quicker, and it’s also much cleaner than wet plastering. Therefore, if there’s an internal wall that can suit dot and dab, it often makes sense to use this method.

Another plus is that dot and dab suits a lot of surfaces. It’s particularly useful for older properties with wavy, out of plumb walls; adhesive dabs can be at different sizes in different spots to ensure the finish is flat and even throughout.

On the other hand, dot and dab is particularly weak and unsuited to damp internal walls, where moisture can easily travel across the adhesive and into the plaster to compound any internal damp issues.

Even on suitable surfaces, dot and dab has some drawbacks that can make other options more favourable. For one, this method doesn’t offer full coverage, leaving gaps between the dabs of adhesive, and therefore between the plasterboard and the wall. This can make plasterboard fixings particularly weak as they can end up only fixing to the plasterboard, creating a weak hold that eventually tears through the board.

Also, while dot and dab leaves some space for small utilities to be run between the adhesive dabs, it doesn’t offer as much space as, for example, installing a wall lining system. Therefore, it doesn’t offer the same freedom when it comes to running larger utilities or installing things like soundproofing or insulation.

Finally, while dot and dab is a quick and simple method, it takes skill to get it right. If the masonry wall isn’t prepared correctly, or the distance between dabs is too long, the plasterboard can be prone to long-term movement, cracking or even falling away from the wall.

Dot & Dab Vs Wet Plaster: How to Decide

For many in the trade, the question often comes down to dot and dab or traditional wet plastering. For most people, dot and dab is sufficient, but there are some cases where you might go down the more traditional route.

Dot and dab is often better than wet plastering when:

• You want a quick, cost-effective finish: Wet plaster takes a lot more time and skill, so will cost more to complete.
• When you don’t plan to mount anything heavy: Wet plaster is much more secure and suited to heavy mounts, such as cabinets.
• When airtightness isn’t an issue: Some old or eco-friendly properties may benefit from wet plaster’s complete seal. It can be useful for deadline with internal damp, for example.

The main reason people choose wet plaster over dot and dab is because it’s a period property; in this case, wet plaster can help with issues like damp and provides a secure, long-term hold.

Dot and Dab Vs Internal Stud Wall

In the majority of modern buildings, it’s more often a consideration between dot and dab and building an internal stud wall.

A stud wall – where you screw plasterboard to a new, internal skeleton made of either metal or timber – is a larger, more reinforced structure. Therefore, it’s good for walls where you need to hang heavy items. It also provides more space between the existing wall and the plasterboard, which can be good for running larger utilities such as pipes.

Because a stud wall is larger, however, it takes up more floor space in the room itself. It’s also a more costly option, and may not suit uneven walls as well as dot and dab.

Thankfully, there are lots of options available to get the perfect finish to any internal wall. Whether you use dot and dab, wet plaster or stud wall, we have all the supplies you’ll need right here at Fastbuild, all at great trade prices.