Rules for choosing drywall for walls – which is better to use and what to pay attention to?

Your building or renovation project’s success can be greatly impacted by the drywall you choose for your walls. Drywall, sometimes referred to as wallboard or plasterboard, is an essential component of contemporary building techniques because of its adaptability and simplicity of installation. There are a number of considerations when choosing drywall that can affect how well it performs and whether it is appropriate for your needs.

The thickness of the drywall is one of the main factors to be taken into account. Generally, drywall is available in various thicknesses; common choices include 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, 1/2-inch, and 5/8-inch. In areas where soundproofing and fire resistance are crucial, like bedrooms or the spaces between apartments in multi-family buildings, thicker drywall typically provides superior qualities.

The kind of drywall core material is another important consideration. Mainly, there are two varieties: normal and moisture-resistant (green board). For the majority of interior spaces with little to no moisture exposure, regular drywall works well. However, because moisture-resistant drywall is made to withstand higher humidity levels, it can be used in damp areas like basements, kitchens, and bathrooms.

Take into account the particular requirements of your project when selecting drywall. For example, soundproof or acoustic drywall might be the best option if you need to enhance a room’s acoustic performance. Because of its design to reduce sound transmission, this kind of drywall is perfect for private spaces like music rooms, home theaters, and offices.

Important parameters and criteria

The following crucial factors and criteria must be carefully considered when selecting plasterboard sheets to install room partitions:

• Core quality – the longitudinal or transverse section of the product should not crumble or delaminate when pressed.
• The surface of each sheet must be smooth, without dents, signs of deformation, sagging or delamination of the cellulose coating.
• It is recommended to purchase sheets only with a cut edge to securely seal the installation gap after attaching the product to the frame guides.
• The sheet must contain product markings indicating its main technical parameters or modifications.
• The material must be painted in an appropriate shade that indicates its purpose.
• Each verified supplier must have a quality passport and a certificate of conformity of the product to the technical specifications, given to him by the manufacturer.

The year of the company’s founding, brand awareness in the marketplace, and the quantity of favourable customer reviews of the plant’s products on independent Internet forums are some of the key determinants.

Understanding the important aspects that influence performance and durability is necessary when selecting the proper drywall for your walls. Specific needs are met by each type of drywall, ranging from fire rating to moisture resistance. Improved moisture resistance gypsum boards are perfect for moist environments like kitchens and bathrooms, while fire-resistant varieties offer extra security in high-risk areas. Additionally, thickness is important; thicker boards can support heavier fixtures and provide better sound insulation. Whether your project involves protecting a commercial space or soundproofing a home office, think about the requirements and choose drywall that best suits them. Examine quality certifications such as ASTM or UL listings to make sure the materials you’re purchasing are safe, long-lasting, and will improve the longevity and functionality of your building.

How to choose and what to pay attention to?

Here are some basic guidelines for selecting plasterboard sheets based on the intended use and technological characteristics of a space in order to prevent the owner of a residential or commercial property from making costly mistakes when building partitions.

Inside living quarters

When buying materials for interior partition installation in apartments or private homes, it is advised to take the following factors into account:

• Toxicity class – the core must not contain substances harmful to health. It is recommended to pay attention only to materials marked T1.
• dimensions. If a room in a typical apartment has a height of 2.7 to 3.0 m between floors, it is not recommended to buy sheets with a typical length of 2500 mm, since cutting them creates a lot of waste.
• Material thickness – when using a partition made of gypsum board in the bedroom, it is not necessary to overpay for thick sheets, since for normal operation it is enough to buy a product with a thickness of 10 mm.
• Edge shape – you should choose products with wide folded edges that are easily filled with putty, eliminating cracking when used.
• Color of the paper that is glued to the core – standard sheets are characterized by a classic gray shade.

In order to verify the accuracy of the technical characteristics, it is advised that standard sheets of gypsum board be chosen after requesting certificates of conformance and quality passports for the goods sold from the seller.

In non-residential rooms

Considering the increased foot traffic that office spaces experience during the day, the following considerations should be made when purchasing finishing materials for partition construction:

• High mechanical strength, which is characterized by the density of the structure (from 850 kg / m 3 and above, as well as the thickness of the product – from 12.0-12.5 mm). For offices, shopping centers, gyms and other premises with intensive traffic of people, you need gypsum board, the mechanical strength of which for bending is more than 30–35 kgf/cm2 .
• Sound insulation – when delimiting spaces in commercial premises that are listed as belonging to different tenants, it is necessary to exclude the transmission of noise pollution through the building envelope. This is achieved by using soundproofing plasterboard, the performance of which is not higher than 24 dB.
• It is recommended to buy gypsum board sheets with a blue tint, which indicates the noise-proof properties of the material.
• The presence of perforation, which prevents the propagation of sound vibrations throughout the room. Acoustic plasterboard looks great in the interior and greatly increases the comfort when using non-residential premises.

It should be mentioned that the majority of reputable manufacturers offer galvanized steel profile guides for mounting the supporting frame in addition to their own technical solution and component albums, which can be downloaded from the business’ official website.

With high humidity

Numerous finishing materials suffer structural damage in bathrooms, kitchens, indoor swimming pools, and other high-humidity areas, which accelerates physical wear and tear. In addition, there are several crucial guidelines that must be followed if partitions are to be installed in these areas:

• The main technical parameter in this case is the water absorption of drywall, which should not exceed 10%–11%.
• Sheets are supplied for sale with a corresponding pale green tint, which indicates the presence of polymers that reduce the porosity coefficient and increase the moisture resistance of the product.
• Vapor permeability is also an important indicator. With this advantage, moisture will not collect in the space between the partition sheets due to condensation, which subsequently causes mold to form.

The majority of gypsum board models have cellulose coatings that give them a distinctive green tint that makes it easy for customers to recognize the material’s improved moisture resistance.

In unheated

When the seasons change, the temperature of a cold circuit’s premises—such as balconies, loggias, porches, terraces, verandas, or vestibules—can fluctuate periodically. In this regard, it is advised to consider the following factors when buying gypsum board for unheated exploited spaces:

• For cold rooms, it is also recommended to purchase green gypsum board sheets, which have water-repellent properties.
• Density of the material – the heavier the structure of the core, the lower the porosity coefficient, which significantly reduces the risk of condensation accumulation, the formation of a dew point and, accordingly, increases the frost resistance of the products.
• Impact and mechanical strength – the cold circuit is characterized by aggressive external influences, which requires an impact-resistant surface of the plasterboard.

When installing gypsum board sheets in cold rooms, it is advised to pay extra attention to the finishing using the same frost-resistant putties, paints, and varnishes, regardless of the category and level of reliability of the chosen product.

In fire hazardous

Installation of partitions made of plasterboard sheets belonging to the following categories is necessary for warehouses, evacuation routes, photo laboratories, and many other spaces with specialized operating technology:

• The fire resistance of structural elements must be at least EI45 – EI60.
• Flammability group – from G1 and above (it is recommended to purchase materials with this index G0).
• You should pay attention only to those sheets whose surface is painted pink, which indicates high fire-fighting qualities.
• Toxicity group – many refractory cores may contain additives that form toxic volatile substances when heated. If the premises are subject to increased sanitary requirements, the sheet must be marked T1.

It is advised to develop in advance design solutions for the installation of enclosing structures, which consist of two layers of cladding with mineral wool insulation filling the space between the load-bearing frame, in case the gypsum boards fail to meet the high requirements of the joint venture. These structural components are rated as fire resistant up to EI90.

TOP 3 best options

The following provides an extensive evaluation of the most widely used gypsum board sheets, taking into account different operating modes and types of premises, as well as average prices, expressed in rubles, per unit of goods.

1. For living rooms in apartments and private houses:
2. KNAUF 3×1.2 m (thickness 12.5 mm) 400–480 rub. One of the most popular products on the market, optimal price-quality ratio.
3. “Volma” 2.5×1.2 m (thickness 9.5 mm) 260–290 rub. Economy class products, which are excellent for standard apartments when performing major or cosmetic repairs.
4. KNAUF GSP-A, 320–370 rub. Improved mechanical strength and sound insulation, which affects the comfort of residents.
5. For public spaces:
6. KNAUF Sapphire, 650–750 RUR. One of the best and most reliable materials on the market, excellent physical, mechanical and deformation characteristics.
7. GYPROC Strong Acoustic Long, 650–800 RUR. High degree of sound insulation, sheets are used for installing partitions between rooms with different functional purposes.
8. GYPROC Habito, 700–800 rub. A premium product of the French brand, it is included in the recommended list of materials for interior partitions in most hotels belonging to large chains of European operators.
9. In rooms with high temperature and humidity conditions:
10. "Volma" moisture resistant, 400–450 rub. The material is suitable for making partitions in bathrooms of apartments and private residential buildings. It has a smooth plane, a cut edge, and ensures reliable contact with the putty.
11. KNAUF GKLV, 450–520 rub. High water resistance indexes, the material does not lose its structure even when immersed in water.
12. GYPROC Aqua Strong, 550–650 RUR. Water absorption less than 9%, high strength, perfect flatness, cut edge, easy installation and finishing, durability of at least 15 years in a humid environment.
13. For cold circuit rooms:
14. KNAUF GSP-N2, RUB 390–440. The minimum porosity coefficient ensures high frost resistance.
15. GYPROC Optima, 460–550 rub. The product is intended for installation both indoors and outdoors; it withstands temperature changes in the central zone of the Russian Federation very well.
16. Magma PlastV, 260–320 rub. Economy class product, suitable for the construction of partitions in vestibules or balconies.
17. For operating spaces with increased fire safety requirements:
18. KNAUF GSP-DF, average price 420–450 rub. Fire resistance limit – at least 45 minutes, when exposed to open fire, high surface quality.
19. KNAUF Fireboard, 950–1050 RUR. The optimal combination of environmental friendliness, reliability, excellent quality and the highest fire resistance.
20. "Volma" fire-resistant. 900–1000 rub. Toxicity group T1, fire resistance index – EI60, recommended for use in any type of public or residential premises, without restrictions.

This rating is subjective, based on actual customer reviews, and shouldn’t be taken as a recommendation for a specific product.

Useful video

This video will explain what drywall is, the different types, and what to look for when making a purchase.

Selecting the appropriate drywall for your walls is essential to finishing your construction or remodeling project successfully. The particular requirements of your space and the environment it will be in will have a major impact on the type of drywall you choose. For most interior walls where fire resistance and moisture absorption aren’t major concerns, standard drywall—often referred to as Regular or White Board—is appropriate.

Moisture-resistant drywall, sometimes referred to as Green Board or MR Board, is a better option if your project involves damp areas like bathrooms or kitchens. Its additives ensure durability in humid environments by increasing its resistance to mold and mildew. Fire-resistant drywall, known as Type X, provides improved protection in locations where fire safety is crucial because its primary additives are made to impede the spread of flames.

Take thickness into account when choosing drywall. Greater soundproofing and durability are provided by thicker drywall, such as 5/8-inch, which makes it perfect for shared walls or locations where noise abatement is crucial. For most residential applications, standard 1/2-inch drywall is adequate and provides a good trade-off between performance and cost.

Be mindful of the drywall’s brand and quality before making a purchase. Well-known brands frequently offer superior thickness and quality control consistency, which can impact how simple it is to install and how well your walls function over time. Finally, to achieve a smooth and polished finish, make sure you have the appropriate installation tools and supplies, such as joint compound, tape, and drywall screws.

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