There are a lot of structural components that every construction projects vary on. One of the primary materials used in construction is the paneling for walls and ceilings; plywood and drywall are usually on the top of this list. If you are in the middle of a construction project and are confused whether what is more efficient among the two, you are in the right place.
Plywood and drywall are both board-shaped building materials. Plywood is less fire resistant than drywall but is also more expensive. Plywood consists of layers of wood glued together to form a superior strength board. Drywall is a layer of gypsum encased in a paper skin.
Drywall
Drywall is a wallboard or a plaster wall made with a mixture of gypsum, water, and thick dry sheets of paper. It is composed of dehydrated gypsum with fibers and chemical additives for durability purposes which is sandwiched between 2 large sheets of heavy paper and then dried.
Drywall can speed up the process of building the internal structure of construction projects as drywall usually sits faster than traditional lath and plaster.
Advantages
- Fire retardant
- Durable and stable
- Fast installation
- Can be soundproofed
Disadvantages
- Heavier than plywood
- Hard to drill into
Learn more with my articles How Many Screws Per Sheet here and Drywall is Cracking and How to Fix and vs Plasterboard.
Scott Boyd
What You Need To Know About Plywood
Plywood is made up of thin wood from tree trunks that are put together by glue and layered at an angle of 90 degrees against each other. It helps in creating a more solid sturdiness to its final form.
It is a combination of softwood, hardwood, and tropical wood. Because of this, pulverization quality varies greatly depending on the wood used.
Advantages
- Lightweight
- Variety of options and quality
- You can use it outdoors
Disadvantages
- Not soundproof
- It can be easily damaged by moisture
Plywood Vs Drywall
Soundproofing
Drywall
In terms of being soundproof, drywall can contain sounds a bit when installed properly. Since drywall have gypsum components sandwiched in their middle, their ability to conduct sound is not good. It is why drywall may be a good option for you if you think you want a quieter environment in your indoor space.
Installing two drywall panels can also help you achieve a soundproof type of room as if you’ve installed a complete soundproofing system in your space.
Plywood
Since plywood is only composed of thin layers of wood that are put together, it does not help contain sound. For a wall to be soundproof even a little bit, it must have a layer that can absorb or tone down vibrations that it receives.
Fireproofing
Drywall
The gypsum component of drywall panels is a fire retardant. Flame or fire retardants are chemicals that help slow down or prevent the fire from spreading.
The gypsum in between the drywall panels absorbs heat and serves as a firebreak. However, drywall doesn’t last long after such events.
Because of drywall’s water component in its gypsum mixture, it relatively controls flame at a minimum capacity to prevent it from spreading fast. (Source)
A drywall’s capacity to stop further spread of fire or to stop it from even starting at all leaves a strain on its structural integrity that can eventually show through cracks and crumbles on the drywall.
Plywood
Plywood is uncured wood, and batches of it are glued together. It does not have fire retardants, which means that plywood is on the last of the list in terms of being fireproof.
If you’re aiming for a fireproof wall or at least a fire retardant one, then choosing plywood for your construction material may not be the best idea for you.
Installation Process
Drywall
Weight is a significant factor when it comes to the installation process. Products and materials that weigh a lot take more installation time. Drywall is particularly heavy because of its filling and other chemical components, which makes it more sturdy than other wall panel options.
Installing drywall requires a tedious process of filling the joints and sanding down some edges..
Despite the need for expertise when installing drywall, it is still the preference of many because it is time-saving, cost-saving, and needs less water use than lath and plaster. Many countries that recover from disasters use drywall for faster property reconstruction. (Source)
Plywood
Of course, plywood is much easier to install. It’s relatively lighter in weight and can be installed and fixed on the house frames faster with the simple use of a hammer and nails.
Plywood is also very receptive to paint finishing if you choose to color your wall. You can also opt to use wallpapers with plywood.
Durability
Drywall
Drywall has a different lining design compared to plywood. If you hang items on a dry wood wall, you must first look for the studs and only drill through the panel and stud to successfully place your pin on the will.
It is because the gypsum center of drywall is not built to resist multiple holes, which can affect the wall’s strength. Drywall are only designed to carry additional weight on the studs placed in them.
Plywood
If you want to be able to put pins and holes on your wall more conveniently, then you should choose plywood as your wall material. With this material, you can easily screw and drill holes directly without looking for the designated studs.
Repairs
Drywall
Drywall is easy to repair. If your drywall gets any damage for any reason, all you have to do is fill that hole and then sand it. It is because drywall consists of more solid and heavy products, allowing it to have solid structural integrity.
Plywood
When plywood gets damaged, it usually requires a more tedious repair. Plywood is not a layered type of panel which means that when it gets damaged, the crack can quickly spread across the entire thing.
To repair plywood, you will have to either replace a large portion of your wall or replace your wall in its entirety.
Moisture Resistance
Drywall
Drywall is made up of paper, gypsum, and other chemical components. It has a high holding capacity for water, thus, making it quick to absorb moisture, and has a very slow capacity to dry it out. (Source)
If it is exposed to moisture or water, the gypsum at its center will melt and turn into a paste-like form. It will cause the paper sandwiching it to weaken. It means that drywall is not best for areas with high moisture exposure.
Plywood
Plywood is bare wood left untreated with any chemicals to resist mold. Glues used to put plywood together aren’t resistant to water either, which means that plywood can easily incur moisture during very humid or moist temperatures.
Finishing
Drywall
When installed by professionals or experts, drywall shouldn’t be hard to decorate or finish. Its smooth surface holds paint well and can easily be decorated once installed.
Plywood
The smoothness and texture of your wall with plywood will depend on the type you use. There is low-quality plywood, and there is also high-grade plywood available in the market.
Usually, you will have to sand the surface of plywood for a smooth finish, and only then will you be able to paint and decorate it.
Sustainability
Drywall
In creating drywall, intense energy levels to compress the gypsum, paper, and chemicals are necessary for successful integration. Some additives have high-risk content, which increases the effectiveness of the panel structure.
Plywood
Similar to drywall, plywood undergoes certain manufacturing stages that require it to use chemicals and compression energy to compress the wood together. The difference, however, is that Plywood can be used and recycled a lot easier than drywall.
Pricing
Plywood And Drywall
Both plywood and drywall come in many options, meaning that both products come at varying costs. It also depends on location, availability, and demand.
For instance, manufacturing drywall is difficult for some countries like Iran. There are defining factors like culture, professional skills, and costs needed when producing drywall. It affects demand and availability. (Source)
The finishing touches and other additional expenses should also be considered in terms of pricing. Costs will vary depending on the installation type and interior perspective you’re trying to achieve with your drywall or plywood.
Can I Use Plywood In Place of Drywall?
Yes, you can use plywood in place of drywall. But you cannot use drywall in place of plywood. You can use plywood for both indoor and outdoor purposes, while drywall only works best with indoor use.
But if you’re looking for something to use as an internal panel, then you can use both interchangeably. Of course, it still depends on the interior design you’re going for.
Determine your preferences whether its strength, sound, installation ease, fire resistance, and room are aesthetic. If you’re clear about these things, you can easily pick which one to use for your project.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Drywall?
Despite the many advantages of using drywall, there are a few things that you need to be aware of when using it:
It is not soundproof by itself. Drywall still needs to be installed with sound insulation to filter and mask sound in a specific space.
Drywall gets easily damaged. It cannot resist external impact, which means that when handled recklessly, it can quickly get dents, holes, and even joint cracks.
It cannot stand on its own; it needs framing like steel or wood to be installed as a wall or ceiling.
Not advisable for outdoor use. Since drywall is not resistant to water, it is prone to moist or moisture damage.
Which Is Better, Drywall or Sheetrock?
Sheetrock is a brand of drywall. But since Sheetrock released its panel of drywall, other drywall brands have joined it in the market.
Between choosing other general brands of drywall compared to Sheetrock, you’re better off choosing Sheetrock as it is a brand that has long established its name in the drywall market before any other company.
How Long Does Drywall Last?
The standard lifespan of drywall is at least 40 to 70 years for those used indoors. But if it is mostly exposed to water and moisture, then it can last half that time.
Final Thoughts
Plywood and drywall both have advantages for different kinds of building projects. You can use plywood for many functions and purposes, while drywall is best in doing its primary design.
If you’re looking to build a standard building project, you’re better off with soundproofing and fire retardant drywall. Plus, it is much easier to install.
However, if you find yourself more concerned with wall usage and storage, then it’d be better to choose plywood, considering how it can cater to multiple points of pressure.
Sources
- Nyman, Jonathan F., Gerlich, Hans J.T., Wade, Colleen & Buchanan, Andrew H. “Predicting Fire Resistance Performance of Drywall Construction Exposed to Parametric Design Fires – A Review” https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1042391507080811. Accessed August 2022
- Hulathdoowage, Nimasha Dilukshi & Hadiwattage, Chandanie “Applicability of Drywall Technologies for Disaster-Induced Housing Reconstruction” https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/IJDRBE-01-2021-0001/full/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
- Sfinia, Sina & Mirsiaghi, Amirhossein “An Insight Into The Reasons Behind The Unpopularity of Drywall Systems in The Iranian Construction Industry” https://ijtech.eng.ui.ac.id/article/view/1038. Accessed August 2022
