You’ve probably heard of drywall and cement boards if you’ve been exposed to home improvements or building construction conversations. These two materials are used in very similar ways, yet there are still significant differences that you should consider.
One of their primary differences is their materials. A cement board has cellulose, fiberglass, and cement slurry between its sheets. Meanwhile, drywall has gypsum in its core, sandwiched by heavy paper for a smoother finish.
Besides their materials, there are still a few key differences this article will look into to determine which among these two best suits your needs.
What Is Drywall?
Drywall is also known as gypsum panels simply because it’s a board made with sandwiched gypsum mixture between two paper boards.
The primary ingredients for the gypsum used for drywall are paper fiber, foaming agents, fiberglass, and other chemical components that contribute to strengthening the hold of the panel.
drywall is the usual preference for most construction workers nowadays since it’s very simple to install. Even amateur home workers can install these panels with the proper instructions and tools.
Another thing about drywall is that it’s cost-friendly. So you won’t just be saving expenses on labor but also with your materials.
Advantages
- Fast installation
- It is cost-friendly
- Can sustain wall frames well
- It is a natural fire retardant
Disadvantages
- Prone to damage if not plastered
- Not resistant to water and can quickly accumulate moisture
Learn more about cracking drywall here and what to do to fix it, or to help you decide between drywall and plywood here, or how many screws to hold it on walls and ceiling here, and can you spackle over wood paneling here.
Scott Boyd
What Is A Cement Board?
A cement board is made up of sheet cement and fibers with cellulose. These boards usually come in sizes between 4 feet to 8 feet and widths of 1/4 to 1/2 inches.
Cement boards are usually used to support tiles and paper-covered gypsum from water. It’s also beneficial for cement boards not to be attached to materials that can quickly build up mold or moisture to maintain their durability.
These boards are usually handled by at least two people depending on their size. Cement boards are relatively heavier compared to drywall panels.
Cement boards are also suitable for wood flooring, tiles, and countertops.
Advantages
- Strong support for tiles
- Long-lasting compared to other types of boards
- Can break down continuous moisture or water leaks
- It does not warp at all
Disadvantages
- Difficult to cut down without the right tools
- Relatively heavy
The Difference Between Drywall & Cement Board
- Material
Cement Board
Cement Boards are usually made with cheap cellulose sheets, reinforced glass fibers, and slurry cement. These types of boards are best for countertops and spaces with installed tiles on walls or flooring.
There are even experiments where cement boards were created through paper rice husk fibers, silica, and even old newspapers, which showed excellent thermal conductivity and an appealing resistance level against combustions. (Source)
Drywall
This panel board is made up of gypsum-filled panels that are compressed between heavy paper sheets. It has materials that dry up fast and tighten easily. It’s an alternative to speed up the process of creating walls, which is traditionally done by drying plaster and lath.
In the said category, drywall seems to have better material components because of their fast drying and sturdy gypsum chemical component at the center.
- Water Resistance
Cement Board
Cement boards are both waterproof and water-resistant. These boards have chemical components and materials that prevent water from entering their core parts. It also has an outer coating that repels water presence.
Combining these two attributes creates better protection for the entire board not to be exposed to much mildew or mold.
Drywall
Unlike Cement Boards, drywall is only water-resistant. Its gypsum core mixture has properties that can resist mold and moisture build-up to certain extents.
It is found that buildings with gypsum-based drywall are predominantly infested with fungi because of wetted cellulose and the inability to dry out absorbed water or moisture. (Source)
In terms of water resistance, cement boards possess more strength, especially when protecting the core areas of the board.
- Durability
Cement Board
Cement and fiberglass material works best in terms of creating stability and strength. It can withstand more impact and can resist damages better. Cement boards also have waterproof walls, meaning there’s less chance for it to accumulate moisture between their layers.
Drywall
Drywall is durable as long as it is handled well. However, its thinner layers are more susceptible to damage than cement boards.
A study on drywall performance undergoing seismic tests shows how gypsum boards used for ceilings and columns can acquire concentrated damage because of their materials. (Source)
Remember that its sandwich material is made only with heavy paper, which means it’s not as sturdy as a cement board. Once the paper gets damaged, it can easily allow water or moisture to sip through the gypsum mixture right in its middle, which can cause the entire thing to sag.
Cement boards are the more durable option if you’re looking for something extremely long-term. It does not rot, and it can withstand water exposure well.
- Safety
Cement Board
Since cement boards use organic substances, which are only cement and fiber, it’s environmentally safe. Not only are the components eco-friendly, but their entire manufacturing procedure is also safe for the environment.
There are cement boards made of used cardboard kraft pulps and nano-silica fumes. Design, moisture absorption, flexibility test, and strength were tested and revealed to meet standard requirements for a typical cement board. (Source)
Cement boards are also known to lower heat island effects. The heat island effect is when the heat becomes more concentrated in a particular area because of infrastructure design and materials.
Drywall
On the other hand, drywall is not entirely eco-friendly but can be recycled and used in many different ways. drywall is manufactured with immense energy use and toxic chemicals as well. The chemicals it uses in certain degrees can cause land toxicity and water eutrophication.
Getting a cement board for your construction project would be best instead of drywall if you’re looking for a more toxin-free option. It is highly environmentally friendly.
- Installation Process
Cement Board
Cement boards are a bit difficult to install and must always be done by skilled professionals. One of the reasons for this is because of the weight of the material. It can easily be mishandled, especially without the right equipment.
Drywall
Drywall is a lot easier to install compared to cement walls. Not many professional tools are needed, but even basic equipment can be enough. It is advisable for those who prefer to be hands-on with their construction projects. It is also recommended for DIY projects as it is very easy to install.
- Weather Resistance
Cement Board
Cement boards perform well in extreme heat, wind, and even water conditions, so you can use them indoors and outdoors. Its fiber content in the cement allows it to hold its strength better against heat and water than drywall.
These boards can also withstand repeated water and moisture exposure without incurring internal or external damage. It is because its core content is waterproof, and its outer linings are usually created as water resistant.
Drywall
If you’re looking to buy drywall, you’re better off using it indoors rather than outdoors. Drywall’s main component is a gypsum mixture that turns into a glue-like texture once exposed to water. Other than this, its lining is also made out of heavy paper.
It is not water resistant and can easily be damaged by either water or moisture over time without proper ventilation and care.
The better choice in terms of weather resistance is cement boards. Not only can you be sure that it can repel water, but you can also choose it for both indoor and outdoor improvements for your property.
Is Cement Board Better Than Drywall?
A lot of professional construction workers recommend the use of water-resistant building materials. It prevents further moisture or water build-up within walls and crevices in a building.
Because of this, cement boards are most often used rather than drywall for residential and business buildings. It does not rot or warp even when exposed repeatedly to water or high moisture.
Can Cement Board Be Finished Like Drywall?
A cement board cannot be finished with the same materials as drywall. Drywall joint mixtures are not as effective as cement boards, but you can pour a bit of mud or joint compound over your cement board so you can start treating it as drywall.
A joint compound is a term professionals use to refer to “mud” or a mixture of gypsum dust that turns into a frosting-like substance that you can apply to wall finishings.
Cement board suppliers would recommend alkali-resistant tape to be used when installing cement boards. It is an adhesive made of cement, redefined sand, and water retaining ingredients.
Do I Need Drywall Behind Cement Board?
Cement boards need a moisture barrier installed within them so they can be sure to protect the internal components from water leaks. If it is installed too tightly against a wall, vapor can easily affect its breathing.
While others would say it’s okay to add drywall behind a cement border, professionals would tell you otherwise. Drywall should be removed and not placed as the internal base of cement boards.
The two have very different water tolerance abilities, which can be problematic when one panel starts to affect the other.
Choosing Between Drywall Vs. Cement Board
From a bigger perspective, a cement wall is the best with a switch compatible with both indoor and outdoor applications. Though it takes more time to install, it is waterproof compared to drywall.
You only need to remember that you need a skilled professional to install cement boards for you, contrary to how you can install drywall on your property.
Sources
- Shawia, Noura Balboul, Jabber, Mohammad Ali & Mamouri, Abbas Fadhil “Mechanical and Physical Properties of Natural Fiber Cement Board for Building Partitions” http://www.netjournals.org/z_PSRI_14_021.html. Accessed August 2022
- Dedesko, Sandra & Siegel, Jeffrey A. “Moisture Parameters and Fungal Communities Associated With Gypsum Drywall In Buildings” https://microbiomejournal.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40168-015-0137-y. Accessed August 2022
- Lee, Tae-Hyung, Kato, Mikiko, Matsumiya, Tomohiro, Suita, Keiichiro & Nakashima, Masayoshi “Seismic Performance Evaluation of Non-Structural Components: Drywall Partitions” https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/eqe.638. Accessed August 2022
- Khorami, Morteza, Ganjian, Eshmaeil, Mortazavi, Azamalsadat, Saidani, Messaoud, Olubanwo, Adegoke & Gand, Alfred “Utilisation of Waste Carboard and Nano Silica Fume In The Production of Fiber Cement Board Reinforced by Glass Fibers” https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0950061817313971. Accessed August 2022
