Which is better: gypsum fiber board and plasterboard on the walls

Plasterboard and gypsum fiber board (GFB) are two common options for wall finishes. Both materials are popular choices for building and remodeling projects, and each has a unique set of benefits. It can be difficult to choose between them, particularly if you’re not aware of their distinctions.

Gypsum fiber board has a reputation for being robust and long-lasting. It is a strong, durable material because it is composed of cellulose and gypsum fibers. GFB is a great option for high-traffic areas or locations where walls need to withstand a little bit more wear and tear because of its exceptional impact resistance.

Conversely, drywall, or plasterboard, is lightweight and simple to work with. It’s an adaptable material that can be used for many tasks, such as finishing ceilings and building partitions. Plasterboard is a popular material for both professionals and do-it-yourselfers because it is simple to install and cut.

Plasterboard and gypsum fiber board each have advantages and disadvantages, so the best option for your project will rely on your unique requirements. Knowing the primary distinctions between these two types of materials will enable you to make an informed choice, regardless of your preference for strength and durability or versatility and ease of installation.

For wall construction, the choice between plasterboard and gypsum fiber board (GFB) relies on your project’s specifications and needs. Gypsum fiber board is perfect for high-traffic areas or spaces that require extra durability because of its exceptional strength, impact resistance, and sound insulation. On the other hand, plasterboard is more appropriate for standard wall applications because it is lighter, simpler to install, and generally more affordable. In the end, the optimal decision depends on striking a balance between variables like cost, ease of installation, and intended use.

Drywall

Of all the materials used in finishing work, plasterboard has a very special place in the industry.

Gypsum plasterboard is currently the most widely used method for finishing and leveling walls in both residential and commercial or industrial spaces.

This was made possible by the material’s exceptionally broad range of advantageous characteristics.

1. Versatility. Various types of gypsum boards can be used for finishing and installing partitions in any premises – even with the most “difficult operating conditions”, as bathrooms, kitchens or electrical switchboards are designated in SNiP.
2. Environmental friendliness. An important factor for finishing materials, especially relevant when finishing residential premises.
3. Fire safety. Gypsum not only does not support combustion, but is able to resist the spread of fire throughout the apartment for 15 – 20 minutes. When burning, gypsum board sheets, unlike most plastic panels, do not emit toxic volatile substances.
4. Manufacturability. In terms of manufacturability, no finishing material can compare with plasterboard. You can create a wide variety of designs from gypsum boards – curved surfaces, multi-level ceilings, etc.d. It’s not for nothing that plasterboard is a favorite material of interior designers, allowing it to bring practically any shape to life.
5. Affordable price. In terms of affordability, GC sheets have virtually no competitors among facing materials.

Types of plasterboards and their scope of application

A plate of pressed gypsum serves as the foundation for a typical gypsum board sheet, onto which cardboard sheets are adhered on both sides. Production standards state that gypsum makes up 94% of a plasterboard sheet’s volume, cardboard makes up 5%, and the adhesive component makes up the remaining 1%. However, there are several specialty types of drywall available in addition to regular drywall that are intended to be used in harsh environments. For ease of use, a unique color is painted and marked on each of them.

You should choose the kind of gypsum board you’ll need for finishing work even in the design phase. Take particular notice of the color and markings on HA sheets when making your purchase.

Ordinary drywall (GKL)

The sheet is gray, and the markings are blue. intended for use as interior décor in any space where the relative humidity of the air does not rise above 70%.

The most popular kind of gypsum plasterboard because of how inexpensive and simple it is to process. possesses the broadest variety of applications, encompassing both residential and non-residential spaces. It’s simple to install drywall on a wall.

Fire-resistant drywall (GKLO)

The sheet has a gray paint job with red paint markings. This particular material is intended specifically for use in finishing applications in high-risk fire environments.

Gypsum board sheets must simultaneously stop fires from spreading and shield supporting structures from harm.

By adding unique reinforcing elements composed of fiberglass and other non-flammable materials to its composition, fire resistance is increased.

It is utilized for finishing electrical panels, industrial workshops, and spaces with challenging access, such as ventilation shafts, attics, and basements.

Moisture-resistant gypsum plasterboard (GKLV)

The marking is applied in blue on the green GKLV sheet.

Water-repellent compounds are impregnated into cardboard during the production process.

It serves as a barrier against wall and ceiling moisture and is utilized in high-humidity areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and toilets.

It is advised that GKLV be further covered with additional water-repellent coatings, such as hydrophobic primers and paints, tiles, and PVC sheets, to enhance its waterproofing capabilities.

Moisture-fire-resistant gypsum plasterboard (GKLV)

The principal benefits of GKLO and GKLV are combined in this material. Here, moisture-resistant cardboard is adhered to the exterior of the fire-resistant sheet base. These sheets are mostly used in different industrial enterprises’ production facilities. GKLVO can be used to panel rooms, elevator units, and basements in the residential sector.

The thickness of sheets typically ranges from 6 to 12 mm, however "exclusive" sheets up to 50 mm thick are also available for purchase.

Ceiling structures are made from the thinnest kind of sheets, which have the weakest structure. Because 12 mm sheets are more resilient, they are utilized for interior partitions and wall cladding. For flooring, the thickest 50 mm sheets are most frequently utilized.

Perhaps the only drawback of HA sheets that stands out is their lack of strength, which makes them unsuitable for use in producing load-bearing surfaces.

Gypsum fiber

Although it joined the market much later than plasterboard sheets, this material was already able to hold its own against its more well-known sibling. The gypsum component serves as the foundation for both the design of gypsum boards and gypsum fiber sheets.

Nonetheless, gypsum fiber boards are not produced using the same technology as gypsum plasterboards. In this example, cellulose fiber serves as a reinforcing frame and is combined with gypsum prior to pressing.

Instead of being covered in cardboard, the gypsum fiber’s surface is sanded and impregnated with water-repellent primers, which also stop gypsum dust from forming. The end product is a multipurpose material that doesn’t mind getting wet or burning.

Pros of GVL

This material is good in the first place because it is much stronger than plasterboard of the same thickness. The previously mentioned fire and moisture resistance are additional indisputable benefits. To learn more about GVL’s features, view this video:

An enhanced water-repellent variety of gypsum fiber is made specifically for bathrooms and other areas with high relative humidity. When it comes to functionality, GVL is just as useful as plasterboard. It can be used to construct wall cladding, partitions, suspended ceiling structures, and ornamental interior structures.

Depending on your unique requirements and tastes, you can choose between plasterboard and gypsum fiber board for your walls. Each material has unique benefits that can help it be appropriate for a variety of projects. Because of its strength and longevity, gypsum fiber board is a great option for high-traffic areas or other locations that need extra robustness.

Plasterboard, on the other hand, is lighter and simpler to work with, which can help with installation time and effort savings. Additionally, it offers a smooth surface that is perfect for wallpapering or painting. Because of this, plasterboard is a common material for residential spaces where aesthetics are important.

Take into account the setting in which the boards will be utilized. Moisture-resistant options are available for both materials in areas that are likely to experience moisture, like kitchens and bathrooms. The decision you make may also be influenced by your financial situation, as plasterboard is typically less expensive than gypsum fiber board.

In the end, plasterboard and gypsum fiber board each have special advantages of their own. Making the best decision will be aided by your understanding of the particular requirements of your project. Either material, when used properly, can effectively meet your needs, regardless of your priorities: cost-effectiveness, durability, or ease of installation.

Video on the topic

How to make a partition from plasterboard (GKL, GVL)

Aligning walls in the kitchen GVL without a profile.

How to lay tiles on plasterboard, GVL or GSP