{"id":16717,"date":"2026-01-19T15:12:55","date_gmt":"2026-01-19T15:12:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/?p=16717"},"modified":"2026-01-19T15:13:18","modified_gmt":"2026-01-19T15:13:18","slug":"types-of-drywall-and-how-theyre-used","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.projectsmallhouse.com\/blog\/2026\/01\/types-of-drywall-and-how-theyre-used\/","title":{"rendered":"Types of Drywall and How They’re Used"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are a lot of different kinds of sheetrock, drywall, gypsum board or wallboard. Besides the typical general use drywall, it also comes in moisture-resistant, mold-resistant, fire-resistant, noise-reduction and more.<\/p>\n

Drywall is gypsum plaster between paper layers. To create a sheet of drywall, gypsum is pressed between two thick pieces of paper and then kiln-dried. \u00a0It is called dry<\/strong>wall because it was used instead of lathe and plaster. Plaster was wet. It had to dry before the next step in construction.<\/p>\n

Sheetrock is the brand name of drywall made by U.S. Gypsum.\u00a0 Like Kleenex, people use it for any brand. Drywall was invented by Augustine Sackett. He patented it in 1894 and named it “Sackett Board.” U.S. Gypsum bought the patent and started making it in 1916 in the form of small fireproof tiles. By 1917, they were making large panels marketed as Sheetrock.<\/p>\n

Sheetrock took off in the 1950s because it was so much faster and less expensive than lathe and plaster.<\/p>\n

Before long different types of paper layers and different additives to the gypsum plaster were developed for specific needs.<\/p>\n

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Standard White Drywall Board<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Standard White Board<\/strong><\/p>\n

Standard whiteboard is only for interior use. It is available in the most sizes and thicknesses. It is typically 4-feet by 8-, 10- or 12-feet. It is usually \u00bd\u201d thick, but it also comes in \u00bc\u201d, 3\/8\u201d, \u00bd\u201d and 5\/8\u201d thicknesses.<\/p>\n

Other types of drywall are more expensive, but using the right product for the project is worth the extra cost.<\/p>\n

Moisture Resistant Green Board (or Greenboard)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Moisture-resistant greenboard has a moisture resistant paper coating. It is for interior areas that may be exposed to water, like kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. It is for damp, not wet locations.<\/p>\n

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Purple drywall around the tub and shower in our house.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mold and Moisture Resistant Purple Board<\/strong><\/p>\n

Purple Board offers enhanced mold and moisture proofing. It is used for high-humidity areas and areas that may be directly exposed to water splash, like above tubs and showers. For even higher moisture areas, use cement backer board.<\/p>\n

Paperless Drywall<\/strong><\/p>\n

Paperless drywall is a relatively new product. It has fiberglass mat instead of paper over a more water-resistant gypsum core. It is more moisture, mold, and mildew resistant than purple board. It requires a full skim coat instead of just taping and skimming the seams.\u00a0 It is more durable than standard white drywall, resisting dents, warping, and tears. They make a paperless drywall tape to use with it.<\/p>\n

Paperless drywall is appropriate for bathrooms, kitchens, basements and garages. It is not for areas exposed regularly to water, such as inside a shower stall.<\/p>\n

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Fire Resistant Drywall Type X has a one hour fire resistance rating
Photo by Monique Freemon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fire Resitant Type X\/C<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fire-Resistant X and C drywall have a thicker, denser gypsum core with glass fibers added. They are not fireproof<\/strong>, but slow the spread of fire with less smoke giving occupants more escape time. It is for furnace or wood stove areas or garages. It is used between units in townhouses and condos. It is sometimes required by building code.<\/p>\n