Drywall might seem like an uninteresting subject, but it can actually be quite fascinating. There are five types you can choose from, depending on where you want to use it. Different types of drywall are best for different areas.
Drywall can be called many things by professionals as well as DIY handymen. Drywall can also be called plasterboard, wallboard and gypsumboard. Sheetrock, which is actually a brand of drywall, is used in a general way, just as Band-Aid is used to apply a bandage. These are some things to consider when you’re looking for drywall in your home.
Regular Drywall
This is the standard-grade type. It is the most common type. The gypsum core is sandwiched between two layers and then covered with drywall. It’s usually lighter in color on the face. There are many thicknesses and dimensions. Two sizes that are most common are 1/2 inch thick and 4′ x 8ft or 4’x 12ft. It is also one of the most affordable types of drywall.
Green Board
The face side paper on green board is sea-foam and is therefore called green board. The color is not used to identify this type of drywall. It is also moisture resistant. It is impregnated using water resistant materials. It is used most often in damp areas. This includes bathrooms, laundry areas, and behind kitchen base cabinets. Although green board can be ordered in the same dimensions and thicknesses as regular drywall, they will cost you up to 20% more. It is important that you note that green boards are water and mold resistant and not mold-proof.
Purple Drywall
Purple drywall is not like green board. It contains mold inhibitors, as well as being waterproof. It is more durable than green board or regular drywall. Because it is more durable than other types of drywall, it can resist scratches and dents. It is most commonly used in basements that are susceptible to water damage. It typically costs about 30 percent more than regular plaster.
Drywall resistant to fire
Names are a way to identify the main difference between these types of drywall. For drywall to be considered fire-resistant it must be thicker than the average drywall (5/8-inch) and made differently. Glass fibers are mixed into the gypsum layer to create this drywall. It is installed in the exact same manner as the others. It is used on walls shared by two or more homes. In these situations, most building codes require that drywall be fire-resistant. One example would be two adjacent apartments, or two condominium units. They could share common walls and/or ceilings. It is also used in the common areas between the living spaces of a home and an attached garage. It is fireproof, but not fireproof. Type X drywall, which is fire-resistant, can cost up to 10 percent more than regular drywall.
Sound Damping Drywall
Sound damping is typically 1/2-inch thicker than regular drywall. The difference lies in the manufacturing process. This type drywall uses a layer with paper backing, followed by a 1/4-inch layer (gypsum) and a sound damping layer. A final layer of paper serves as its backing. While sound damping can be used anywhere, the cost of this drywall is significantly higher than the standard. Because it can be more costly than the standard type, sound damping drywall is often used in situations where noise could be an issue, such as in music studios or offices.
Sizes and Other Considerations
Standard drywall comes in a standard 4′ x 8. However, you can buy drywall in other widths or lengths. There are more common dimensions than differences in length. Sheets come in eight-, 10-, twelve- and sixteen-foot lengths. Modern homes often have 9-foot ceilings. You can purchase sheets of 4 1/2 foot drywall. This allows drywall professionals to install a single seam in a wall instead of two. It makes mudding and installation much simpler.
Green board and purple drywall are both water- and mold-resistant, but it is not the Gypsum that makes them so resilient. Gypsum does not support the growth of mold because it is not an organic material. These products have paper backings that mold can grow on. Gypsum is also able to support the growth of mold. Mold growth should be checked on the backside of any type of drywall if it is discovered.
The Bottom Line
These drywall types are vital parts of home remodeling and construction. Although open floor plans are trendy, you can still see the studs of a wall. Plaster was the norm in the past. But today, you can customize your home according to how you plan to use it.
Water damage can strike when you least expect. If water damage occurs, having the correct drywall can help. Mold can quickly grow after a flood.
