Five Different Types of Drywall

Drywall sounds like a boring subject but it is actually much more interesting than you may think. Depending on where you intend to use it, there are five different types of drywall that you can use. For different areas of your home, different types of drywall are recommended.

Drywall has several names that it is referred to by professionals and DIY handymen. Drywall can be referred to as plasterboard, wallboard, gypsum board, or Sheetrock (Sheetrock is really a brand of drywall, but is used in a generic way just like Band-Aid is commonly used when someone wants a bandage). This is what you need to know when selecting drywall for your home.

Regular Drywall

This is your most common standard-grade type of drywall. It’s the type most people are familiar with. Regular drywall consists of a gypsum core sandwiched between two layers of paper. It is usually a lighter gray color on the face side and comes in various thicknesses and dimensions. The two more common sizes are ½-inch thick and either 4’ x 8’ or 4’ x 12’. It is one of the least expensive types of drywall.

Green Board

Green board is called that because the face side paper is sea-foam green. The color is only used as a means of identifying this particular type of drywall. What makes this type of drywall different is that it is moisture resistant. Its core is impregnated with water resistant materials. It is commonly used in rooms where moisture is an issue. Places like bathrooms, laundry rooms, and sometimes behind kitchen base cabinets. Green board comes in the same sizes and thickness as regular drywall but can cost up to 20 percent more in most cases. It is important to note that green board is water and mold resistant, not water and mold proof.

Purple Drywall

Purple drywall is different from green board in that it contains mold inhibitors as well as being water resistant. It is sturdier that regular drywall or green board. Because it is sturdier, it is often used in high traffic areas and resists scratches and dents. It is commonly used in basements where water problems may become an issue. It usually costs around 30 percent more than regular drywall.

Fire-Resistant Drywall

The name tells you this type of drywall’s major difference. To be rated as fire-resistant, the drywall has to be thicker than normal, 5/8-inch usually, and is manufactured differently. This drywall has glass fibers mixed in the gypsum layer. It is installed in the same ways as the others and is used on common walls that are shared between two or more residences. Most building codes require fire-resistant drywall in these types of situations. An example of this use would be between two adjoining apartments or two condominium units, in common walls and/or ceilings. Another common area that it is used is between the living spaces of a house and an attached garage. It is fire-resistant but not fireproof. Fire-resistant drywall is sometimes referred to as Type X and can cost about 10 percent more than regular drywall.

Sound Damping Drywall

Sound damping drywall is usually the same thickness as regular drywall, ½-inch thick. The difference is in its manufacture. This type of drywall has a layer of paper backing, then a ¼-inch layer of gypsum, followed by a sound damping membrane, then another ¼-inch layer of gypsum, and is finished off by another layer of paper for its backing. Sound damping drywall can be used anywhere in home construction but its cost is much, much higher than the standard type. Since it can cost up to 400 percent more, it use is generally saved for important sound proofing situations, like in music studios or offices where noise could be an issue.

Sizes and Other Considerations

Although 4’ x 8’ is standard, drywall can be purchased in other widths and lengths. Differences in length are the more common dimensional differences, sheets coming in 8-, 10-, 12-, and even 16-foot lengths. Because many newer constructed homes have 9-foot ceilings, you can also purchase sheets of drywall that are 4 ½ feet in length. This allows drywall installers to have only one seam in a wall rather than two, making the installation and mudding procedures simpler.

While both green board and purple drywall are water and mold resistant, it is not the gypsum that gives them their resistance. Gypsum is not an organic compound so it does not support mold growth. Mold will grow on both these product’s paper backing and mold is able to grow through gypsum. That is why if mold is found on any type of drywall, the backside of the drywall should also be inspected for mold growth.

What It All Comes Down To

These various types of drywall are all essential parts of home construction and remodeling. Open floor plans are the current “in” thing, but seeing bare wall studs is not, therefore there is drywall. Plaster was the only thing in the past, but with today’s drywall choices, you can truly customize your home’s spaces according to the ways that you have planned to use them.

Water damage can happen when you least expect it. Having the correct drywall for the correct situation can be very helpful if a water damage problem occurs. When your home is affected by a flood, mold can begin to grow in a little as 24-48 hours.

When it comes to your home, your family, or your business, you deserve only the best water damage and mold remediation company, staffed by true industry professionals. Water Mold and Fire Restoration is your best choice to take care of your home. We’ve turned countless distressed homeowners into satisfied customers and we will to do the same for you. If you have any questions, please call us at 800-905-0277 or email us at help@watermoldfire.net. And remember, our initial inspection and consultation is always without obligation.