Alex
Moderator
Gypsum boards come in all types, shapes and sizes depending on the activity and the location of where it will be installed. Knowing the right type of gypsum board to be used is crucial especially if minimizing the overall cost of the project without compromising quality is the main goal. Gypsum boards also comes in many commercial names depending on the country that you acquired them; some of the common names for gypsum boards are: Drywall, Sheetrock, Plaster Board, Gyp board, Wall board. One of the most valuable feature of gypsum board that makes it very easy to install is the presence of tapered edges on all its frames. These tapered edges provide a shallow recess for drywall tape and joint compound when attached together forming invisible finished joints. When plastered or painted, the joints will never be visible to the naked eye. There are other alternatives for gypsum board although not as common and widely available in the market today such as eco boards. These boards are made from recycled and reprocessed fibers creating a drywall that looks like concrete. One of its advantages is that due to its composition, it can easily resist termite attacks and formation in molds inside the panel.
Regular Gypsum Board
This type of gypsum board is normally white-colored on one side and brown on the other side. This is the most common type of gypsum board that is used extensively in locations with no specific requirements. Although all gypsum board are fire resistant in nature, it has no special additives that makes it more impervious to fire. General gypsum board panels normally come in 4 x 8 feet panels and ranging in 3/8 to 1-inch thickness.
Moisture Resistant Gypsum Board
Commonly called as green boards, moisture resistant gypsum board has green covering that makes it resistant to moisture as compared to regular gypsum board. Although more expensive than regular boards, take note that this not entirely waterproof. Never install these on areas where there is always water contact as this will gradually erode the boards. These boards are widely used in laundry rooms, kitchens and basements walls.
Plaster Baseboard
Plaster baseboard or blue board drywall is a special type of board that is used for veneer plastering. Its surface paper has very good absorption qualities that easily soaks up plaster like glue. It also features high water and mold resistance qualities that makes it ideal for an all-rounder partition board. Blue boards are not appropriate to be used for mud, paint and tape but works well in high moisture areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. In addition to than, this type of gypsum board greatly reduces noise when used as room partitions.
Paperless Gypsum Board
Modern technology has improved the regular gypsum board to paperless ones over the last few years. Instead of paper, this type of board uses fiberglass as covering which greatly improves its durability and resistance to molds and mildews. Although more durable than regular boards, it is much easier to cut form to various shapes and sizes. Take note that paperless gypsum boards have some slight inherent texture that needs to smoothen out to achieve a smooth and flat surface.
Improved Moisture Resistant Gypsum Board
For more improved moisture resistant feature than green boards, purple gypsum boards are the way to go. It has superior moisture and mold resistant quality that is ideal to be used for wall and ceiling applications especially in wet and moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. Consider using this type of board if the area to be installed is in constant contact with water.
Type X Gypsum Board
Also called fire-resistant drywall, Type X gypsum board is the best choice for an excellent fire-retardant building material. Although regular drywalls are generally resistant to fire, Type X is made of special non-combustible fibers that makes it better in fire protection as compared to normal ones. Because of its more protective and durable nature, it is harder to cut and shape. These boards can also be used as soundproofing material. To obtain higher fire rating, installing them in layers can also be done.
Sound-proof Gypsum Boards
Although almost all gypsum boards offer certain levels of soundproofing, Sound-proof drywalls specializes in almost total absorption of sound inside the room. Made from laminated layers of wood fibers, polymers and gypsum, this gypsum board is denser and harder to cut than regular boards. Its superior soundproofing properties is ideal for music rooms or entertainment rooms where loud sounds must be suppressed effectively.
Regular Gypsum Board
This type of gypsum board is normally white-colored on one side and brown on the other side. This is the most common type of gypsum board that is used extensively in locations with no specific requirements. Although all gypsum board are fire resistant in nature, it has no special additives that makes it more impervious to fire. General gypsum board panels normally come in 4 x 8 feet panels and ranging in 3/8 to 1-inch thickness.
Moisture Resistant Gypsum Board
Commonly called as green boards, moisture resistant gypsum board has green covering that makes it resistant to moisture as compared to regular gypsum board. Although more expensive than regular boards, take note that this not entirely waterproof. Never install these on areas where there is always water contact as this will gradually erode the boards. These boards are widely used in laundry rooms, kitchens and basements walls.
Plaster Baseboard
Plaster baseboard or blue board drywall is a special type of board that is used for veneer plastering. Its surface paper has very good absorption qualities that easily soaks up plaster like glue. It also features high water and mold resistance qualities that makes it ideal for an all-rounder partition board. Blue boards are not appropriate to be used for mud, paint and tape but works well in high moisture areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. In addition to than, this type of gypsum board greatly reduces noise when used as room partitions.
Paperless Gypsum Board
Modern technology has improved the regular gypsum board to paperless ones over the last few years. Instead of paper, this type of board uses fiberglass as covering which greatly improves its durability and resistance to molds and mildews. Although more durable than regular boards, it is much easier to cut form to various shapes and sizes. Take note that paperless gypsum boards have some slight inherent texture that needs to smoothen out to achieve a smooth and flat surface.
Improved Moisture Resistant Gypsum Board
For more improved moisture resistant feature than green boards, purple gypsum boards are the way to go. It has superior moisture and mold resistant quality that is ideal to be used for wall and ceiling applications especially in wet and moist areas such as kitchens and bathrooms. Consider using this type of board if the area to be installed is in constant contact with water.
Type X Gypsum Board
Also called fire-resistant drywall, Type X gypsum board is the best choice for an excellent fire-retardant building material. Although regular drywalls are generally resistant to fire, Type X is made of special non-combustible fibers that makes it better in fire protection as compared to normal ones. Because of its more protective and durable nature, it is harder to cut and shape. These boards can also be used as soundproofing material. To obtain higher fire rating, installing them in layers can also be done.
Sound-proof Gypsum Boards
Although almost all gypsum boards offer certain levels of soundproofing, Sound-proof drywalls specializes in almost total absorption of sound inside the room. Made from laminated layers of wood fibers, polymers and gypsum, this gypsum board is denser and harder to cut than regular boards. Its superior soundproofing properties is ideal for music rooms or entertainment rooms where loud sounds must be suppressed effectively.