What is Drywall

Drywall, also known as plasterboard or gypsum board, is a panel made of a gypsum core pressed between two sheets of heavy-duty paper. It is widely used in UK construction for creating internal walls, ceilings, and partitions in both residential and commercial buildings. Drywall has become the standard method for finishing interiors thanks to its speed of installation, smooth finish, and suitability for a wide range of applications.

Unlike traditional wet plastering, drywall provides a dry installation method, making it faster and cleaner on site. It can be cut, shaped, and fixed into place with minimal specialist skills and is often installed over timber or metal stud framing. Once in place, the joints are taped and skimmed with a thin coat of plaster or joint compound to create a seamless surface ready for painting or wallpapering.

Where Drywall is Used in Construction

Drywall is used extensively in modern building projects, especially in drylining systems. It forms the internal face of walls and ceilings in houses, flats, offices, retail spaces, and public buildings. It can also be used to line masonry walls using dot-and-dab adhesive, offering a faster and more consistent finish than traditional float-and-set plaster.

Partition walls made from drywall are common in commercial environments where space needs to be reconfigured or adapted quickly. In new builds, drywall allows for efficient sequencing of trades and early decoration, helping projects to move faster and more predictably. It is also used in loft conversions, refurbishments, extensions and fit-outs where speed, weight and finish quality are critical.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Drywall

The main advantage of drywall is speed. It allows for rapid installation compared to wet plastering, which requires more drying time and labour. Drywall is also relatively lightweight and easy to handle, especially when using standard 12.5 mm thick boards. Because it can be fixed to either timber or metal frames, it offers flexibility across different build types.

Drywall provides a smooth, flat surface that is ideal for painting or decorating. Specialist boards are available for fire resistance, moisture protection, acoustic insulation or impact resistance, allowing specifiers to tailor performance to each room’s requirements.

However, drywall does have limitations. It is susceptible to water damage, which can cause sagging, mould growth or structural weakening. For this reason, standard drywall should not be used in bathrooms, wet rooms or external areas unless moisture-resistant or cement-based boards are specified. It can also be prone to cracking if poorly fixed or if the underlying structure moves.

Another drawback is that drywall does not have the same robustness as solid plaster or masonry. In high-traffic areas, impact damage from door handles, furniture or general wear may lead to holes or dents. Fixing items to drywall also requires care, as standard wall plugs may not hold securely. Specialist fixings such as cavity anchors or metal toggles are often needed.

Types of Drywall and Performance Boards

There are several types of drywall available to suit different applications. Standard plasterboard is used for general internal walls and ceilings. Tapered-edge boards are most common, allowing for easy jointing and finishing, while square-edge boards may be used where full plaster skim coats are required.

Moisture-resistant plasterboard, often coloured green, is used in kitchens, utility rooms and bathrooms. These boards contain water-repellent additives and help prevent damage from occasional dampness or condensation.

Fire-resistant plasterboard includes additives such as glass fibre to improve fire performance. It is used in stairwells, service risers, party walls and other areas requiring fire separation. Acoustic plasterboard is denser and designed to reduce sound transmission between rooms. There are also impact-resistant boards for use in schools, hospitals or other demanding environments.

In all cases, boards must be installed and detailed correctly to meet the intended performance. This includes using suitable fixings, joint treatments and surface finishes.

Installation and Fixing Methods

Drywall can be installed using various fixing methods depending on the substrate. When attached to timber or metal studwork, boards are typically fixed using drywall screws at regular centres. For direct bonding to masonry walls, the dot-and-dab method is common, using adhesive dabs to fix the board while allowing space behind for cabling or insulation.

Joints between boards are taped and filled using a jointing compound, often applied in two or three layers with sanding in between to achieve a flat finish. In some cases, a full skim coat of plaster is applied over the entire surface, particularly where a finer finish is required or where walls are to be tiled.

Corners and edges are reinforced using corner beads, and moisture-sensitive areas require sealing or tanking to prevent ingress. Once installed, drywall should be allowed to dry before decoration, especially where jointing compounds or plaster have been used.

Costs, Sizes and Availability

Standard plasterboard is readily available in 2400 mm by 1200 mm sheets and typically comes in thicknesses of 9.5 mm or 12.5 mm. The thicker board is preferred for walls due to its improved strength and acoustic properties. Specialist boards may be available in different dimensions or densities, depending on performance needs.

Costs vary depending on board type and thickness. Standard drywall costs between £6 and £12 per sheet, while moisture-resistant, fire-rated or acoustic boards are priced higher. Additional materials such as jointing compounds, fixings and finishing tools should also be factored into the total cost.

Drywall installation is usually quicker and more cost-effective than traditional plastering, especially on larger projects. Labour costs depend on the complexity of the layout, the number of openings or penetrations, and whether full skim coats are required.

Building Regulations and Performance Standards

Drywall systems must comply with the relevant parts of the Building Regulations. For fire protection, Approved Document B outlines the required fire resistance of walls and ceilings in domestic and non-domestic buildings. Where drywall is used in separating walls or escape routes, it must be tested and certified to meet the required performance.

For sound insulation, Approved Document E sets minimum standards for airborne and impact sound transmission between rooms. Acoustic plasterboard, resilient bars and insulation materials are often used together to meet these standards in flats, HMOs and schools.

Approved Document C covers moisture protection, and where plasterboard is used in bathrooms or utility rooms, appropriate water-resistant materials and installation methods must be used. Drywall used in wet areas must be finished with tile backers, cement boards or water-resistant systems.

Common Misconceptions About Drywall

A common misconception is that drywall is a weak or low-quality material. In reality, when installed correctly, it offers excellent performance and durability. Problems usually arise from poor installation, inadequate fixings or using the wrong type of board for the environment.

Another misunderstanding is that drywall must always be skimmed. While full plastering is common in the UK, many builders now use tape-and-joint methods that deliver a smooth finish suitable for painting with fewer materials and less drying time.

Some believe drywall cannot support heavy loads. While standard fixings may not be adequate, there are plenty of suitable anchors, toggles and wall plugs that allow secure mounting of shelves, TVs or cabinets on drywall when installed correctly.

Conclusion

Drywall is an essential component of modern construction, offering a fast, clean and flexible method for finishing internal walls and ceilings. It is suitable for a wide range of building types and can be specified to meet fire, moisture and acoustic requirements. While not loadbearing, drywall contributes to the performance, appearance and functionality of internal spaces. Understanding the types, installation techniques and regulatory requirements allows builders, specifiers and homeowners to achieve high-quality results across residential and commercial projects.