
What is the difference between wallboard and plasterboard? is that plasterboard is a construction material consisting of a rigid panel of several layers of fibreboard Fiberboard (American spelling) or fibreboard (Commonwealth spelling) is a type of engineered wood product that is made out of wood fibers. Types of fiberboard (in order of increasing density) include particle board, medium-density fiberboard, and hardboard. Fiberboard is sometimes used a… Gypsum is a soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate, with the chemical formula CaSO₄·2H₂O. It is widely mined and is used as a fertilizer and as the main constituent in many forms of plaster, blackboard/sidewalk chalk, and drywall. A massive fine-grained white or lightly ti…Fiberboard
Gypsum
What is the difference between plasterboard and drywall?
You may be puzzled about the difference between drywall and plasterboard. The short answer is basically just the name. They are the same product just described in various terms, often depending on geographical location. The origination of plasterboard or drywall is deeply rooted in the history of plaster.
What is plasterboard made of?
Plasterboard is a panel made of calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum) usually pressed between a facer and a backer. It is used to make interior walls and ceilings.
What is wallboard made of?
Wallboard is a structural material used for sheathing indoor walls and ceilings. Wallboard sheets/panels are constructed by covering a gypsum-based core with paper backings on either side. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, wallboard core can be made of gypsum, plastic, or wood pulp.
Why is plasterboard so popular?
This has made the popularity of drywall or plasterboard continue to increase. Plaster is a paste made from minerals and water that is applied in layers with drying time in between. It has been used as a building material to create walls since ancient times.
What is plasterboard made of?
What is the internal layer of plaster board?
How wide are drywall boards?
How does drywall help a room?
Why do you put drywall on the walls?
What is the best board for a curved wall?
Is drywall a budget friendly option?
See more

What is plasterboard made of?
The Manufacturing Process of Drywall and Plasterboard. Drywall boards and plaster boards are traditionally made from gypsum. This white sandy mineral is mined from the earth in many locations worldwide. Gypsum is used in various applications like drywall boards, lawn fertilizer, and sidewalk chalk.
What is the internal layer of plaster board?
The internal layers of the boards are closely related to the plaster material that has been used in building for centuries. These innovations in building materials have changed the way homes and buildings are finished to this day. Ancient plaster has morphed into the commonly used modern-day drywall material.
How wide are drywall boards?
The boards are cut into a wide variety of sizes for different uses. Boards are usually four feet wide but can vary in height. Taller boards can be used for quicker and more seamless installation on higher walls. The thickness of the drywall boards also varies.
How does drywall help a room?
Drywall boards are dense so they reduce noise pollution. They can block sound from coming in from the outdoor environment. Drywall is also helpful in preventing sound from echoing or being carried from room to room.
Why do you put drywall on the walls?
Adding drywall to exterior walls offers protection from the elements. It can help retain the controlled temperature of the room.
What is the best board for a curved wall?
The thinnest boards are best for curved walls or adding a layer to the existing drywall. If you are looking to reduce sound or add insulation to an exterior wall, choosing thicker boards will provide the most benefit.
Is drywall a budget friendly option?
Drywall was toted as a budget-friendly option that eliminated the wait for plaster dry time. The flame-resistant features and quick installation were seen as benefits to its early adopters. Despite its innovative features, drywall usage didn’t take off right away.
What is the difference between drywall and wallboard?
If not- what’s the difference between drywall and wallboard? Key difference: wallboard is a term that refers to all types of panels that are attached to studs when building walls or ceilings while drywall is a type of wallboard that’s commonly referred to as Sheetrock.
What is wallboard sheet?
What is wallboard? Wallboard is a structural material used for sheathing indoor walls and ceilings. Wallboard sheets/panels are constructed by covering a gypsum-based core with paper backings on either side. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, wallboard core can be made of gypsum, plastic, or wood pulp.
What is drywall made of?
Drywall has a core made of gypsum sandwiched by two paperboards. Wallboard is a general name for different types and brands of wall and ceiling paneling including Sheetrock and its types. Drywall is a type of wallboard that can be categorized into different types including green board, blue board, purple board, regular drywall, etc.
Why label drywall as wallboard?
Brands may choose to label their drywall products as wallboard for purposes of product differentiation, often promoting them as being of superior quality as compared to their competitors’ ‘regular drywall products’. However, this is usually just a marketing gimmick- as the two terms are often used interchangeably in the construction sector.
What is paperless wallboard?
Paperless Wallboard. This type of wallboard features fiberglass backing on either side- instead of paper. This makes it the best type of drywall if you’re looking for backing boards that are naturally resistant to rot, mold, and mildew.
How long does it take to fire rated wallboard?
For example, garages and areas with the risk of fire may require 60-120-minute fire-rated wallboards. Here are the different types of wallboard:
Is blue board good for shower walls?
Blue Board Wallboard. Just like paperless wallboard, this type of sheathing board also boasts great resistance to rot, mold, and mildew. It’s also moisture-proof- and therefore recommended for installation in very wet areas such as shower walls. There are a few downsides to this type of wallboard though.
What type of board is used in new construction?
Wallboard, drywall and cement board are widely available panel types contractors and homeowners use in new construction or remodeling projects. Advertisement.
Can you use a circular saw to cut cement board?
Drywall cuts easily with just a utility knife, but you'll need a circular saw, fitted with a heavy-duty blade, to cut cement board. Drywall installs with taper-head drywall screws. You can use galvanized decking screws or roofing nails to install cement board. Advertisement.
Is cement board a drywall?
Cement board also comes in panels, but that's where its similarity to drywall ends. Cement board is a very hard panel formed by cement slurry and reinforced fiberglass mesh. It provides a strong base on which to install tile and stone. This product resists direct moisture, making it a top choice for installation in areas of high humidity. Cement board is suitable as an underlayment on countertops, walls and floors.
How did plasterboard revolutionize homebuilding?
Lath needed installing and then not one but three coats of plaster had to go up and then dry completely between each application.
What was used before plasterboard?
This required lath, usually thin, flat strips of wood (but sometimes rock or metal) erected perpendicular to wall joists or studs and a three-coat application of plaster done by hand.
What is gypsum board?
Gypsum board is the generic name for the building material composed of gypsum and paper facers. The facing can be a variety of materials today, but it's all still gypsum board at heart. Advertisement.
Why was drywall important to the construction industry?
As the building boom began with the post-war baby boom, drywall was not just a huge time saver but also an important factor in how America's construction industry became so key to the economy.
When was gypsum plaster used?
Once it's compacted and pressed between paper facers, it's a durable wall surface ready to be painted. Gypsum plaster has been used since ancient times, but gypsum board is descended from the Sackett board invented in the late 1800s. In 1893, at the Chicago World's Fair, the palace exterior was completed using Sackett's gypsum plaster bound ...
How long is gypsum board?
Gypsum board comes in 4-foot-wide panels. Length can vary at 8-, 10-, 12- or 14-feet long. Paper is the most common backing, but aluminum foil backing is available as a vapor barrier where needed. Edges are beveled, rounded, tapered, square or even a tongue-and-groove edge.
What is the difference between 3/4 inch and 5/8 inch gypsum?
3/4 inch is used in most of the same applications as 5/8-inch gypsum board but is a notch better in quality and durability.
What are Plaster Walls?
A plaster wall consists of a coating of a mixture of a mineral compound, binding agent, and water applied on a thin strip of wood, called lath. This mixture is applied directly to brick or concrete walls.
What is Drywall?
Drywall is a pre-made wall constructing material comprising of gypsum set between two sheets of paper.
Plaster vs. Drywall: Differences
Plaster and drywall give interior walls a smooth finish, but they have many differences. Let’s look at some of the differences between plaster vs. drywall to help you make a decision about which one is best for your construction project:
How to Tell the Difference Between Drywall and Plaster
When the installation for both drywall and plaster is complete, it’s hard to tell one from the other. Both can be finished into a seamless, smooth surface, then painted.
When Should You Use Plaster vs. Drywall?
Both drywall and plaster have their advantages and disadvantages. When comparing plaster vs. drywall, whether you should use one or the other is dependent on what you’re after.
What is the thickness of drywall?
It probably is the most economic drywall type and comes in different sizes ranging in thickness from 3/8 inches to one inch. This is the most common type used and is normally available in four by eight foot panels.
What is ECO board?
There is also an ECO board made from recycled material to create drywall that looks like concrete. But don't get confused by the names, as drywall is also known as Sheetrock (U.S. Gypsum Corporation product), gyp board, gypsum board, plasterboard, and wallboard. Featured Video.
What is the advantage of drywall?
One important advantage that drywall offers is the presence of tapered edges on the long edges of drywall sheets that, when joined together, form a shallow recess for drywall tape and joint compound that allows for invisible finished joints. There is also an ECO board made from recycled material to create drywall that looks like concrete.
Is blue board drywall good for mud?
It has a high water and mold resistance and there are fewer steps involved in veneer plastering. Blue board drywall is not made for mud, tape, or paint. It works extremely well in bathrooms or places with a lot of moisture and helps reduce noise.
Is green board drywall waterproof?
It is somewhat more expensive, but be aware that it is not waterproof, so don’t use it if it’s going to be in contact with water.
Is paperless drywall harder to cut?
The quality of the board is a little tougher than regular drywall, but some construction pros find it easier to cut. Paperless drywall has some slight textures that will require applying joint compound to achieve a smooth clean finish drywall level.
What is plasterboard made of?
The Manufacturing Process of Drywall and Plasterboard. Drywall boards and plaster boards are traditionally made from gypsum. This white sandy mineral is mined from the earth in many locations worldwide. Gypsum is used in various applications like drywall boards, lawn fertilizer, and sidewalk chalk.
What is the internal layer of plaster board?
The internal layers of the boards are closely related to the plaster material that has been used in building for centuries. These innovations in building materials have changed the way homes and buildings are finished to this day. Ancient plaster has morphed into the commonly used modern-day drywall material.
How wide are drywall boards?
The boards are cut into a wide variety of sizes for different uses. Boards are usually four feet wide but can vary in height. Taller boards can be used for quicker and more seamless installation on higher walls. The thickness of the drywall boards also varies.
How does drywall help a room?
Drywall boards are dense so they reduce noise pollution. They can block sound from coming in from the outdoor environment. Drywall is also helpful in preventing sound from echoing or being carried from room to room.
Why do you put drywall on the walls?
Adding drywall to exterior walls offers protection from the elements. It can help retain the controlled temperature of the room.
What is the best board for a curved wall?
The thinnest boards are best for curved walls or adding a layer to the existing drywall. If you are looking to reduce sound or add insulation to an exterior wall, choosing thicker boards will provide the most benefit.
Is drywall a budget friendly option?
Drywall was toted as a budget-friendly option that eliminated the wait for plaster dry time. The flame-resistant features and quick installation were seen as benefits to its early adopters. Despite its innovative features, drywall usage didn’t take off right away.
