In functional replacement cost, if a plaster wall is damaged, it could be replaced with wallboard to maintain function. Is this allowed?

In functional replacement cost, if a plaster wall is damaged, it could be replaced with wallboard to maintain function. Is this allowed?

• A. Yes, replaced with wallboard
• B. No, must be plaster
• C. Only for exterior walls
• D. Only if replacement cost is higher

Answer: (A)

Functional replacement cost focuses on restoring function, not duplicating the exact original material. If a plaster wall is damaged, replacing it with wallboard can still perform the same wall function—support, separation, and safety—so it’s allowed as a functionally equivalent repair. The goal is to restore usability and code compliance, not to match the original material perfectly. It isn’t limited to exterior walls, and it isn’t about increasing the replacement cost—it's about achieving functional parity with a more economical material.

Functional replacement cost focuses on restoring function, not duplicating the exact original material. If a plaster wall is damaged, replacing it with wallboard can still perform the same wall function—support, separation, and safety—so it’s allowed as a functionally equivalent repair. The goal is to restore usability and code compliance, not to match the original material perfectly. It isn’t limited to exterior walls, and it isn’t about increasing the replacement cost—it's about achieving functional parity with a more economical material.