Have you ever wondered what the difference is between Drywall vs. Sheetrock? It’s sort of like Kleenex and Tissue (depending on where you live). Sometimes it is easy to confuse a product type for a product name. And sometimes, a product brand or name becomes synonymous with a product type.
Drywall is a large type of construction panel used for creating indoor walls. The sheets are usually 4’ x 8’ in size. Sheetrock is the name of a brand of drywall. It means that drywall is a construction item, and Sheetrock is a brand name.
Is there more to it regarding drywall vs Sheetrock? You bet there is! Let’s dive into the depths of drywall products and look at Sheetrock as a brand type amongst major manufacturers. We’ll find out which is best for you, so stick around.
What Is Drywall?
A Drywall is a panel or a board used as the base on the interior walls of a building. These are usually used for residential homes. drywall has calcium sulfate dihydrate or what’s commonly known as gypsum.
The said component is flame-retardant, which means it does not only burn slowly but it prevents flames from spreading quickly. It also has water resistance, meaning drywall is safe against reasonable water leaks.
You can also cut your drywall easily, depending on your size. It allows easy construction because you can mold it to fit almost any room structure. It also has an exterior that holds paint excellently and does not easily break when hammered with nails.
Buildings require thermal efficiency to ensure sustainability and efficiency in their interior structure. (Source)
Since drywall consists of materials that are easy to cut, it shows how it is an excellent insulator in maintaining room temperature.
Advantages Of Drywall
- Easy installation
- Flame retardant
- Water-resistant
- You can shape it easily
Disadvantages Of Drywall
- Uncontrolled insulation
- Can still be damaged by intense water leaks
What Is Sheetrock?
Sheetrock is a brand of drywall. There is only a slight difference between Sheetrock and other drywall products because Sheetrock was able to patent its formula, which means that it has no other equal in the market.
Most of the time, the two words are used interchangeably. It is because the brand is the most famous brand of wallboard in many countries.
How Sheetrock Became A Household Construction Yard Name
The company that first created Sheetrock was founded in 1901 and has been known to produce high-quality drywall. For over a hundred years, being the leading brand in the market has led people to use the brand name for the product itself.
While the company that first created drywall and branded it as Sheetrock is famous for this particular item, they also offer a wide range of building materials for home construction.
What About Drywall By Sheetrock?
Sheetrock drywall is designed to be easy to use and work with, in terms of shape and size. You can easily cut it with a handsaw, a razor blade, and even a pocket knife. (Source)
Sheetrock drywall varies in fire resistance, insulation capacity, and even thickness of panels. The brand has continuously improved to make its product match different building requirements much easier.
Advantages Of Sheetrock Brand Drywall
- Stands out against common drywall
- Durable
- Trusted brand
- The brand has continuous product improvement
Disadvantages Of Sheetrock Brand Drywall
- Cannot control insulation capacity
- Product availability in most stores due to high demand
- Usage
Drywall is usually used for walls indoors and home ceilings as a replacement for either lath or plaster construction.
On the other hand, Sheetrock’s design can be used for indoor and outdoor ceilings. It can also act as a replacement for both lath and plaster.
History Of Drywall
At first, drywall were referred to as Sackett Boards. It was invented by partners Augustine Sackett and Fred Kane. When creating the Sacket Boards, they used plaster as a layer between wool felt paper.
However, between 1910 and 1930, the Gypsum Company improved the Sackett boards and their durability and make. It is when the said company reintroduced the boards under the brand name Sheetrock, which people use today.
Differences Between Regular Drywall Vs. Sheetrock Drywall
Types
Drywall
Drywall comes in many forms. Standard panel types are sized at 1/4 inch to 3/4 inches in width. There are also fire-restraining additives for different types.
There is also the blue board type, where drywall has high resistance against water and mold forms. This drywall is commonly used as a precaution for spots that can easily catch water.
Drywall is more effective for shielding against foreign substances when coated with biochar, a component derived from high carbon content biomass. (Source)
Drywall is also created with a Greenboard, an oil-based additive that improves moisture resistance. Another type of drywall used in spaces where there is risk of water or moisture exposure is cement drywall.
Some Soundboards are made with wood fibers that are very receptive in terms of transmitting sounds. However, if you need soundproofing on your property, there are also drywall designed to have damping polymers that decrease sound transmission.
Sheetrock
Sheetrock varies in size. Those that are designed to have regular core panels are usually sold at 1/4 inch, 3/8 inches, and 1/2 inch widths.
This brand also offers at least three types of fire resistance features to its panels. They even have a 3/4 inch Ultracode core that acts as a layer preventing the fire from spreading amongst these walls.
Sheetrock has foil-back features, including moisture resistance for moldy and moist places.
There are also what’s called sag-resistance sheetrock. This lightweight drywall is designed for outstanding durability and resistance against sagginess despite long-term use, water, and moist exposure.
Companies have made it a point to design drywall to be lightweight and easier to install. Research reveals that heavy and bulky panels are a safety hazard among drywall workers. (Source)
The use of Sheetrock helps in aiding this issue because of its lightweight design.
You can also use sheetrock as ceiling boards which is why it has weather-resistant features that allow them to be used outdoors. sheetrock have immensely high resistance and durability against abuse, indentations, and abrasions.
Manufacturing
Drywall
Drywall uses gypsum plaster for their core build; it is pressed against two thick sheets of paper as a foaming agent. Most gypsum plasters are made with fiber, gypsum crystals, and other additives that give them a firm grip. drywall is usually created by sandwiching gypsum cores with flattened fiberglass and heavy paper.
Sheetrock
Sheetrock on the other hand are created similarly with wet gypsum core, heavy paper, and fiberglass mats. But what sets it apart is its patent for using specific chemicals to go along with the basic ones needed for drywall.
Construction Usage
Drywall & Sheetrock
Both Drywall and Sheetrock are used the same way. Construction workers usually cut the board panels according to the size needed for the interior of a building. You can manually cut them into any shape and size are easy to achieve with the right equipment to back it up.
Drywall and Sheetrock are attached to wall studs or ceiling joists through construction glue, drywall screws, fasteners, and nails. Other parts of the panel boards are sealed with joint fillers and tape for a better fixture.
Though not necessary, some construction workers seal the drywall with veneer plaster for a smoother wall finish. It largely depends on the interior design that you are aiming for. But in most cases, drywall or Sheetrock can hold paint well on its own.
Which Is Better, Regular Drywall Or Sheetrock?
The difference between a general type of Drywall and Sheetrock is that Sheetrock is a brand that has been around for over a hundred years.
If you’re looking to see which one is better in terms of durability, then you can be safe in choosing the Sheetrock brand for your drywall purchase.
Know that not all drywall is created with an equal amount of different types of material and chemicals are used. It is what differentiates drywall from varying manufacturers. If you’re looking for consistency and quality, then Sheetrock is highly recommended.
What Are 3 Different Types Of Drywall?
Regular Drywall
Regular drywall is what’s also called a whiteboard. It is the most used type of wall material and ceiling preference for most basic homes and commercial spaces.
One would usually find regular drywall to have a thickness of at least 1/2 inch for residential space. On the other hand, the size of drywall sheets varies from at least 4 inches by 8 inches to 16 inches.
Mold-Resistant Drywall
Mold-resistant drywall are also called green boards. This drywall often appears to have thicker backing paper than a regular wall. Mold-resistant walls are also coated with wax to increase moisture resistance.
This drywall is perfect for places with heavy rains or bad weather. You can also use it for spaces in the house that are prone to water leaks and such.
It has a fiberglass mesh that is mainly responsible for resisting mold build-up. Do note, however, that there is a difference between moisture-resistant drywall and mold-resistant one.
Plasterboard
A Plasterboard is commonly called a blue board in the construction vocabulary. It acts as a base for plaster applications. It needs a thin coat of plaster layered on its surface to be used as drywall.
Its surface paper absorbs the paint, allowing the coating to stick longer easily.
Final Thoughts
In the end, it all comes down to your budget and the structural integrity you are aiming for in your construction project.
A general or unknown drywall brand is best suited for you if:
- You have a limited budget.
- You don’t have access to many construction stores in your area and have no choice in selection.
However, if you prefer to choose a more established manufacturer, then
Sheetrock will work best with you if:
- You have a budget and project that specifies the drywall brand at Sheetrock or equivalent.
- You want a tried and tested brand for your construction materials.
- You have access to stores that offer Sheetrock.
- You want a fire-resistant wall structure.
You can easily contact any local contractor or construction store in your area to see the kind of drywall they can offer. Remember that this will vary depending on your location and product supply.
Sources
- Tingley, Danielle Densley, Hathaway, Abigail & Davison, Buick “An Environmental Impact Comparison of External Wall Insulation Types” https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S036013231400393X. Accessed August 2022
- Gallup, Leland L. “Interior Wall Guide: Paneling, Masonry and Sheetrock” https://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/CAIN749014657/PDF. Accessed August 2022
- Dasgupta, Priyadarshini Sengupta, Fulmer, Scott, Jing, XiaoLu, Punnett, Laura, Kuhn, Sarah & Buchholz, Bryan “Assessing The Ergonomic Exposures For Drywall Workers” https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0169814113001327. Accessed August 2022
- Savi, Patrizia, Ruscica, Giuseppe, di Summa, Davide & Sora, Isabella Natali “Shielding Effectiveness Measurements of Drywall Panel Coated with Biochar Layers”, https://www.mdpi.com/2079-9292/11/15/2312. Accessed August 2022
