There are various types of drywalls depending on the task and the place where it will be used and installed. As one of the most important benefits that drywalls offer is the presence of pointed or tapered edges on the long edges of the sheets of drywall that, when joined together, forms a thin recess for drywall tape and joint compound that permits invisible finished joints.
There is additionally an ECO board produced using reused material to make drywall that resembles concrete. There are many names used for drywall such as Sheetrock (U.S. Gypsum Corporation product.), gypsum board, wallboard, gyp board and plasterboard.
Moisture-resistant drywall or just Green board drywall has a green covering that makes it more resilient to moisture than regular drywall. It is a little bit more expensive but one should remember that it is not waterproof so do not use it if it going to make contact with water. Mostly it is used as a tile backer in limited wet areas like basement walls and bathroom, also in laundry and utility rooms and kitchens.
Usually, regular drywall or whiteboard is white on one side and brown on the other. It comes in various sizes varying in thickness 3/8 inches to one inch and it is also probably most financial drywall type. This is the most well-known sort utilized and is typically available in four by eight-foot boards.
Paper drywall is being replaced by paperless drywall. Instead of paper, this type of drywall is covered with fibreglass, that protects the gypsum board from rotting and proposes even greater resistance to mildew and mould.
Although the quality of the wallboard is a bit tougher than regular drywall, some constructors find it easier to cut. To achieve a clean and smooth finish drywall level, paperless drywall has some minor textures that will need applying joint compound.
Plaster baseboard is the other name of the blue board drywall. Blue board is utilized for fake or veneer plastering, and the surface paper has exceptional absorption characteristics. it has a vast mold and water resistance and there are lesser steps involved in veneer plastering.
Blue board drywall isn’t made for tape, mud or paint. It is well suited for bathroom or places with a lot of moisture or wet area and it also helps in reducing noise.
Soundproof drywall is made out of overlaid drywall made with a blend of wood filaments, gypsum, and polymers expanding the STC (sound transmission class). This type of drywall is a bit denser than regular drywall so it may be a bit harder to cut than other varieties of the drywall. It is used in places where noise is a problem or when someone requires silence in the room, due to its soundproofing properties.
Purple drywall offers the same profits as the regular drywall but with greater mould and moisture resistant characteristics. It can also be used for a ceiling and all wall applications and is perfectly suited where improved mould and moisture is required. It is a good choice if it is going to be in contact with water.
Type X Drywall is also well known as the so-called fire-resistant drywall. To achieve a higher fire rating, many layers of thickness can be used. Usually, it is used in rooms, garages and apartment buildings because it is needed by many building codes. It can be harder to cut and use than regular drywall.
Special non-combustible fibres are used to make Type X drywall. It usually comes in 5/8-inches thickness and the extra thickness is also able to improve its soundproofing characteristics. The “Type X” designation can be received if a gypsum board can achieve at least a one-hour fire-resistance rating 5/8-inch board or a 3/4 – hour rating for 1/2 – inch board in a sole coating nailed on each face of load-enduring wood framing members.
Thickness depends on where the board is going. For most interior partition walls, ½-inch is the standard. Step up to ⅝-inch (Type X) on ceilings, in garages, and in any fire- or sound-rated assembly. Thin ¼-inch and ⅜-inch boards are reserved for curved surfaces and repairs.
| Thickness | Best for |
|---|---|
| ¼″ | Curved walls and arches; double-layer skim over existing surfaces |
| ⅜″ | Patch and repair; remodels matching older ⅜″ board |
| ½″ | Standard interior walls; most residential ceilings at 16″ on center |
| ⅝″ (Type X) | Ceilings, garages, fire-rated walls and ceilings, sound assemblies, commercial |
On ceilings, ⅝-inch resists sagging far better than ½-inch, especially at 24-inch on-center framing or under blown insulation. If you must use ½-inch on a ceiling, specify sag-resistant “ceiling board” rather than standard ½-inch.
Both Type X and Type C are fire-rated gypsum board, and it’s worth knowing the difference. Type X is the standard fire-rated board used in most 1-hour assemblies, garage separation walls, corridors, and party walls. Type C is an upgraded formulation with additional glass fiber and vermiculite that expands under heat to resist shrinkage, so it holds an assembly together longer. Type C is specified where a tested, listed assembly (a UL or GA design number) calls for it, typically in 2-hour walls, floor-ceiling assemblies, and shaft walls.
The key rule: you can’t freely swap one for the other. If the listed assembly names Type C, Type X won’t pass inspection even though it’s also fire-rated. Where an assembly lists Type X, Type C generally meets or exceeds it, but always confirm the specific design before substituting.
Interior Exterior Building Supply stocks ½-inch and ⅝-inch Type X, moisture- and mold-resistant board, sag-resistant ceiling board, and specialty gypsum across our branches, with jobsite delivery. Browse our drywall products, find your nearest location, or request a quote. Building the rest of the assembly? See our guides to metal stud gauges and insulation R-values for the Southeast.
In most jurisdictions, yes, the wall between an attached garage and the living space, and the garage ceiling beneath living space, must use ⅝-inch Type X (or an equivalent listed assembly) to meet fire-separation requirements. Always confirm your local code.
You can, but ⅝-inch is strongly preferred because it resists sagging. If you use ½-inch on a ceiling, use sag-resistant “ceiling board,” keep framing at 16 inches on center, and avoid heavy insulation loads above unsupported ½-inch board.
Both are fire-rated. Type X uses glass fibers to reinforce the core and covers most 1-hour assemblies. Type C adds more glass fiber plus vermiculite that expands under heat to counter shrinkage, so it’s used in certain higher-rated (often 2-hour) listed assemblies. Match the board to the tested design.
⅝-inch gives better acoustic performance than ½-inch thanks to its added mass. For serious sound control, use a double layer of ⅝-inch with a damping compound between layers, plus resilient channel or isolation clips.
No. Type C is a higher-performance board and assemblies that list it were tested with it specifically. Substituting Type X can fail the fire rating. Always match the board to the listed, tested assembly.
Interior Exterior Building Supply stocks ½-inch, ⅝-inch Type X, sag-resistant ceiling board, and specialty gypsum across our Southeast branches, with jobsite delivery. Find your nearest location or request a quote.
