Drywall Uses: Drywall is a material made of gypsum that is often used to create and build flat surfaces for ceilings, and walls.
Many might have head of plaster or plqste of Paris that is used to stick things or surfaces to the wall to give that adhesive effect and strong fixative particle, to not be treated down from the walls. Drywall is the next best alternative to that.
There are different forms or types of drywall that can be chosen to be used based on the place you live in or the materials available.
You can even make a drywall that looks like that of a concrete surface using the necessary materials, which helps the surface stay strong against external effects.
The following article is all about drywall, it’s types used for bathrooms, best drywall choices ,etc. Read further to know more about the drywall and it’s benefits too.
What Is Drywall?
Drywall is a type of building material that is used in houses and construction made of gypsum plaster which is core bonded between layers of heavy of heavy paper.
It is made of a material having rectangular sections, and as mentioned above it is used mostly in the construction of ceilings, interior walls, placements inside the house.
Perfect for the North American style of housing and construction, drywall also known as plasterboard, wallboard, custard board, is a material made of calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum) which is mostly extruded from between thick sheets of backer and facer paper.
The major appealing part of that this plaster is made of fiber, foaming agent, glass wool, that can help in absorbing water and also reduce flammability.
what type of drywall for bathroom
1. Regular Drywall (White Board)
Regular drywall is the common form of wall used in bathrooms. Also known as white board or gray drywall, it is used mostly in commercial buildings and home bathrooms.
As the common trait of drywall it is made of gypsum and is layered/sandwiched between two layers of paper sheets.
One of the persistent disadvantage of the regular drywall is that it doesn’t have resistance to mildew and is not durable in moisty places.
Eventhough it is not the weaker form of drywall, it lacks in certain aspects that requires solid foundation on the wall.
2. Greenboard (Moisture Resistant)
Greenboard drywall is best known for being the moisture resistant drywall, beating the normal drywall in comparison. It comes with a green covering, that makes it resistant to water.
Although regular drywall and greenboard are made of same properties, greenboard has the advantage of being coated with wax.
In slippery and wet areas like bathroom, laundry rooms, kitchen, and basements, it is used as a tile backer to make it less wet and slippery.
It is a good choice for room that are exposed to humidity, and it is completely waterproof. It also prevents moisture, due to its wax coating but it is quite expensive than the regular drywall.
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3. Blue Board (Moisture Resistant for Veneer Plastering)
Blue board’s surface paper has absorption qualities on the top of the gypsum that makes it look like an actual plaster.
Blue board, also known as plaster baseboard is mostly revered and used for its moisture resistant effect. And it is used as a backup for veneer plastering that is put on top for a clean finish.
It requires lesser steps in mixing the items and it is not made for paint or mud surfaces. This type of drywall is mostly suitable for places where there is a lot of moisture and mold, as this is water and mold resistant drywall.
The cost is quite similar to the greenboard drywall ones and is mostly used in cosmetic field.
4. Purple Board (Moisture, Mold, and Mildew Resistant)
Purple board and greenboard drywall are quite similar with its properties and uses. But purple board is much preferred for its high resistance to mold and mildew.
The major fact that shouldn’t be overlooked while choosing the purple board, is that it is better at resistance than greenboard because of its usage of recycled paper.
It is coated on top of gypsum making it more durable and sustainable in the long and resistant to water than greenboard drywall.
Used for wall and ceiling applications, the purple board drywall is mostly suited for places that are prone to moisture and mold and this drywall comes to the rescue in making the surface resistant to it.
5. Paperless Drywall (Moisture-Resistant)
Paperless drywall, as he name suggests does not use paper for its plaster. Fiberglass is used instead of paper to protect the gypsum board from moisture, rot, mildew and mold.
It is quite effective and efficient to use than the common regular drywall but it’s costs are quite high than the regular drywall.
The paperless drywall, though may seem tuff on the exterior compared to regular drywall is easier to cut and requires a joint compound to the little textures, to provide a neat finish to the surface.
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Best Bathroom Drywall
There are quite a few options available for selecting the best drywall for the bathroom.
- Cement board drywall is the best and the top on the list of best drywall to be used for bathrooms. But it not economically savvy as it’s quite expensive. It is highly moisture resistant and mold resistant.
- The greenboard drywall also stands out to be one of the best options for a drywall. Chapter with wax for a smooth finish, this is more helpful in rot or mold areas.
- Blue board drywall is also another option ,better than regular drywall. But it’s not as effective tube as greenboard drywall. The surface paper with its high absorption qualities is preferred for high mold surfaces and blue board drywall is resistant to mold.
- Purple board drywall is another alternative to the above three and it also stands out ot be the best as 100% recycled paper is mixed with gypsum or coated on top of gypsum to make it more distant to moisture and durability of the surface.
- Paperless drywall, uses fiberglass instead of paper and it is often used as a resistant to mold and mildew. It can be used in both dry and wet places.
Quick Sum-up
| Drywall Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Cement Board | Highly moisture resistant and mold resistant Expensive Best for bathrooms |
| Greenboard | Coated with wax for a smooth finish Helpful in areas prone to rot or mold |
| Blue Board | Better than regular drywall Surface paper has high absorption qualities Resistant to mold |
| Purple Board | 100% recycled paper mixed with gypsum or coated on top Highly resistant to moisture Durable surface |
| Paperless Drywall | Uses fiberglass instead of paper Resistant to mold and mildew Suitable for both dry and wet areas |
what kind of drywall for bathroom
For bathrooms, the best kind of drywall to be used or the preferred drywall to be chosen is which is more moisture resistant and mold resistant.
Being a wet place and a place frequently used by multiple people, water tends to stagnate or moisture tends to retain in the surface for a day or more.
In that case, of the whole surface of ceiling or wall is more wet or humid, the place become more stuffed or have that smell of contained water.
To avoid that, gypsum along with a Baird or coating that i water resistant or moisture resistant, and mold and mildew resistant is to be preferred, to keep things clean and also less complicated as the surface should not be slippery.
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