Sheetrock vs Drywall: What’s the Difference?

Usually, ceilings and walls in the interior of a home are covered with drywall. The board is made up of two thick sheets of durable paper sandwiched between two sheets of pressed gypsum. Among the best drywall brands in the world, Sheetrock is one of the best. Sheetrock has become a household name, so both contractors and homeowners use the term interchangeably.

The purpose of this guide is to help you decide which one is best for your home improvement project based on the differences between the two.

Key Differences Between Sheetrock and Drywall

Sheetrock/Drywall

There is no such thing as all Sheetrock as drywall

Considering high quality/Ranging from low to high quality

Chemical composition varies/contains unique compounds

Several companies manufacture/manufacture the United States Gypsum Corporation’s (USG) products

Though drywall and sheetrock serve the same purpose, they differ slightly in some ways, and they should not be used interchangeably. Discover how to pick the best option for your project by understanding the difference between drywall and Sheetrock.

What Is Drywall?

Construction materials like drywall cover the studs of wall and ceiling studs, and during the mid-20th century, plaster was replaced by drywall as the primary building material. Gypsum powder is compressed between thick papers to make dry wall. Paper and gypsum provide the perfect flat surface for painting, and gypsum gives drywall stability and rigidity.

• Gypsum board (Calcium sulfate dihydrate) and wallboard (Plasterboard) are other names for gypsum board, which can be made from gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate).
• The term drywall can also be found used synonymously with the brand name Sheetrock, which we will discuss in more detail in just a moment.
• Since drywall is easy to install, cost-effective, and readily available, it is widely used in commercial and residential construction.
• Difficulty of installation, because there are different kinds of drywall and different properties, for instance drywall that resists moisture or mold.
• All drywall is fire resistant, although certain types of drywall have higher fire resistance than others.
• The cost per square foot of most types of drywall ranges from $0.40 to $0.65. It will cost between $50 and $100 per hour to hire a professional to install it.

What Is Sheetrock?

Like Band-Aids and bandages, or Kleenex and tissues, Sheetrock and drywall share a similar relationship. There is no difference between Sheetrock and drywall, since Sheetrock is a name for drywall products. The terms have, however, become synonymous because of their popularity.

• Walls and ceilings of residential or commercial buildings can be constructed using Sheetrock, just like drywall.
• For a wide variety of construction projects, Sheetrock is a trusted brand.
• Sheetrock drywall panels come in different types, each with its own features and properties. In addition to moisture resistance, flame-resistance coatings, and sound dampening, these products offer a variety of benefits.
• There is no sulfur odor released by Sheetrock, unlike other brands of drywall, which can cause a bad smell, could possibly cause health problems, and could even corrode metals, like the screws contractors use to attach the panels.
• Sheetrock is a popular, high-quality, and well-known brand of drywall that generally costs more than other generic brands.

Different Types of Drywall and Sheetrock

Below are some comparisons between generic and Sheetrock drywall brands. The following details provide an overview of the types of drywall available, but the following is a brief summary:

Whiteboard: Also known as regular drywall, whiteboard typically comes in 4′ x 8′ sheets and weighs around 50 pounds per panel. It is typically used in new home construction on walls and ceilings.

Soundproof drywall: Soundproof drywall provides another level of sound reduction over ordinary drywall. For rooms such as home theaters, bedrooms, offices, or music rooms that need greater acoustic control, soundproof drywall is constructed with another layer of viscoelastic polymer.

Ceiling drywall: Also known as sag-resistant drywall, ceiling drywall is thin, lighter, and less dense than regular drywall, making installation easier. It prevents the drywall from sagging and prevents the panels from lifting.

Moisture- and mold-resistant drywall: Green board and blue board are among the products that do not absorb moisture or mold. This type of drywall is best suited to rooms that are susceptible to moisture, like bathrooms and kitchens. Water-repellent wax coating is applied to the paper-backed material.

Fire-resistant drywall: Another specialty type of drywall is fire-resistant drywall, widely used in basements, garages, and other locations near fire-prone equipment and appliances. When a fire occurs, this type of drywall reduces smoke and flame spread.

You will usually be able to determine which product suits your needs if you hire drywall contractors near you to install your drywall. In addition to ensuring your drywall is up to code, they will also make sure that it doesn’t emit toxic fumes, particularly in damp and humid places, like bathrooms and kitchens, and in fire-prone areas, such as garages and boiler rooms.

Drywall Sizes

You can choose between various thickness levels for drywall, depending on the project you’re working on, whether you’re using Sheetrock or a generic brand. The table below lists the most common drywall thickness levels, along with their most common applications, that can be found at your local home improvement store or retailer.

Thickness (in Inches) / Use Case

There is less support provided by thinner drywall, so it can easily break. There are, however, various applications for different thicknesses. The thinnest drywall available is 14 inches thick, and is ideal for bending around curved walls or repairing existing damage. 388-inch thick drywall used to be standard, but nowadays, it’s most commonly used for curved walls and repairs.

Walls are typically constructed with 12mm thick drywall, while ceilings are typically constructed with 5/8mm thick drywall, which is more resistant to sagging. A 344-inch thick drywall is the preferred choice for homeowners wanting better fire protection and soundproofing. The additional cost per sheet will, however, be reflected in the higher cost of thicker drywall.

A typical drywall sheet measures 4 feet by 8 feet. In terms of width, the 4-foot panel can be used to span evenly across four wall studs spaced at 16 inches on center, or around three ceiling joists spaced at 24 inches. Since the drywall is 8 feet long, it does not need to be cut prior to installation; the standard ceiling height in the U.S. is also 8 feet. In addition to sheets in the following dimensions, it is also possible to find them in the following sizes:

• Patches are 2 feet by 2 feet
• For a 10-foot wall, 4 feet by 10 feet are needed
• For 12-foot walls, 4 feet by 12 feet is needed

Drywall vs. Sheetrock Installation Cost

Generally, Sheetrock products are more expensive than similar drywall products from other manufacturers, due to their high quality. Therefore, installing drywall with Sheetrock products will cost more on average. Sheetrock branded sheets cost on average $0.62 per square foot, while standard drywall products cost around $0.50 per square foot for 4-foot by 8-foot sheets.

It’s very likely that contractors and homeowners believe that Sheetrock is worth the added cost for a variety of reasons, including its size and popularity.

• High-quality materials are used in it
• The thicknesses are more varied
• S. manufacturers make it.
• Soundproofing, moisture resistance, and other features are available in the products