8 best modifications of drywall

Drywall made a revolution in the field of finishing, allowing you to quickly align the walls and ceilings, while warming and insulating them. With the help of this gypsum material enclosed between two sheets of cardboard, it is easy to build internal partitions, dividing large rooms into smaller ones. Various modifications of drywall have additional properties that allow their use in conditions of high humidity or fire hazard. Our experts have prepared a rating of all types of drywall, based on the characteristics of the panels and the feedback from the builders, which will help to choose the best product for a particular place of operation.

How to choose drywall

Starting to study the rating of drywall modifications it is useful to look at a few key parameters on the choice of this building material in order to understand which values ​​are important:

1. Core type. At the heart of drywall is always located gypsum, which takes up to 93% of all components. Regular drywall (GLA) is cheaper than other types. The abbreviation with the prefix of the letter B indicates moisture resistance. The prefix O indicates fire resistance. The presence of two letters IN implies the ability of sheets to simultaneously resist both moisture and an open flame.
2. Thickness. Let out plates with a section from 6 to 25 mm. For mounting on the ceiling choose products with a thickness of 7-8 mm. Walls are decorated with panels of 12-15 mm. Thicker finishing materials are used only to create durable partitions or increased noise insulation.
3. Edge type. The most common semicircular and thinned edges. The first requires a lot of putty for sealing joints, but reduces the likelihood of cracks. The second has a millimeter drop and implies filling with wide seams of 90 mm, but with a minimum depth, which provides cost savings, but increases the risk of cracking.
4. Sheet size. The standard is the width of the drywall 120 cm. The length of their release from 2.5 to 4.8 m. The smaller the joints, the faster the installation is performed and the less need to finish the seams. When installing on walls, you should select sheets equivalent to the height of the ceilings.

What is better drywall or plaster

Plastering walls may seem to be a more economical option in terms of cost, so before considering the rating of drywall modifications, you should understand the benefits of using more expensive finishing materials.

TYPE OF FINISH	ADVANTAGES	LIMITATIONS
Gypsokarton	+ READINESS FOR FINISHING IMMEDIATELY AFTER INSTALLATION + GIVES IDEALLY FLAT SURFACE + EASILY HIDDEN PIPES, INSTALLATIONS, WIRING + SUITABLE FOR USE DURING UP TO 4 CM + CLEAN AT INSTALLATION + OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE PARTITIONS + SOUND AND THERMAL INSULATION + IT IS POSSIBLE TO ATTEND A FORM AND MAKE TWO-DECKED CEILINGS, ARCHES, OPERATIONS	- TAKES INTO A LITTLE INNER SPACE IN THE ROOM - DO NOT FASTEN HEAVY ITEMS TO A WALL (BOILER, MASSIVE SHELVES) - NEED A BARRIER FROM PROFILE - SERVICE LIFE REDUCES WITH FREQUENT CHANGE TEMPERATURE IN THE PREMISES - COMPLETE TRANSPORT AND PLACE TO FLOOR - REQUIRED TO PROTECT FRONT PERSONAL BY GROUND OR TILE
PLASTER	+ LESS PROBLEMS WITH CURVE BASE + YOU CAN BUILD FURNITURE AND HOME APPLIANCES + ECONOMY FOR INDEPENDENT PERFORMANCE OF WORKS + EASIER IN REPAIR OF DAMAGED PLOTS	- it is necessary to wait for the drying - EVEN AFTER WATCHING A WALL CAN REMAIN CURVES - REQUIRED THICK LAYER TO HIDE COMMUNICATIONS -PARPADES MUST BE NO MORE THAN 2.5 CM -SPRIED TO FLOOR MULTI MUD

Top drywall rating

Nomination	a place	Name of product	price per piece
The best ordinary drywall	1	Gyproc Strong 2500x1200x15mm	452 ₽
	2	KNAUF GSP-A 2500x1200x9.5mm	353 ₽
	3	Volma 2500x1200x12.5mm	194 ₽
The best moisture resistant gypsum plasterboards	1	Gyproc Aqua Strong moisture resistant 2500x1200x15mm	524 ₽
	2	KNAUF GSP-H2 moisture resistant 2500x1200x9.5mm	354 ₽
	3	Volma moisture resistant 2500x1200x12.5mm	298 ₽
The best fire resistant plasterboards	1	Volma fire resistant 2500x1200x12.5mm	378 ₽
	2	KNAUF GSP-DF fire-resistant 2500kh1200kh12.5mm	369 ₽

The best ordinary drywall

Regular drywall (GCR) is available in white or gray and is suitable for finishing walls and ceilings in dry rooms (offices, bedroom, hall, corridors) that do not require protection against moisture or fire by building codes. No additives are used in its core - there is pure plaster held by the cardboard frame. This is the most affordable option for economical repairs.

Gyproc Strong 2500x1200x15mm

Rating: 4.9

Goods from the Swedish brand, but produced at production facilities in Russia. This allowed us to achieve acceptable quality and low cost. Gypsum cardboard belongs to a low-combustible group and is supplied with reinforcing fibers, which, in combination with a thickness of 15 mm, provides increased strength. The manufacturer claims that it is even allowed to hang a TV on such a wall. Drywall has been tested for environmental friendliness and is a safe product.

Experts added drywall to the rating due to the panel thickness of 15 mm. Given the cost, such a layer is optimally suited for insulating walls in a high-rise building from neighboring sounds or for finishing rooms in a private house located along the road. In the characteristics of the product is positioned as an acoustic, which confirms the high ability to absorb noise. It is worth paying attention to the musicians who often rehearse at home, so as not to inconvenience the neighbors.

KNAUF GSP-A 2500x1200x9.5mm

Rating: 4.8

The well-known brand is now being released in Russia, which made it possible to reduce the price Finishing material in white-gray color with a thickness of 9.5 mm is great for fixing to the walls and ceiling in household and office buildings. The manufacturer added to the usual drywall reinforcing components that increase the strength of bending or impact. The surface of the panels is moderately smooth and promotes better adhesion with subsequent finishing materials.

All users put in a product review 5 points and divide, which serves drywall for a long time and does not deteriorate even when used in rooms with high humidity. Our experts put the product in the rating due to increased strength despite the thickness of 9.5 mm, so they recommend using sheets to create interior partitions. The presence of a semicircular edge will not allow the seams to crack, even with doors slamming.

Volma 2500x1200x12.5mm

Rating: 4.7

This is an exclusively Russian brand, the modification of which is suitable for drywall interior dry rooms. The thickness of 12.5 mm is optimal for insulating and leveling walls, creating figured door and window openings. To the cardboard layer perfectly stick putty and plaster compositions. For the price, this is one of the most affordable options, but users in the reviews complain that the panels are very hard and the screws are difficult to twist to the end. Therefore, you will need a powerful screwdriver, otherwise the installation process will take time.

According to our experts, drywall should be in the rating due to the manufacture of a core of gypsum mixture related to non-combustible materials (NG), when most of the analogues of conventional gypsum cardboard from other companies are made of low-combustible components (G1). For the money it is the best option for finishing the walls in the home boiler room.

The best moisture resistant gypsum plasterboards

Such modification is designated as GKLV. This product is marked in green paper and is suitable for rooms where the humidity level is above 70%. It is installed in bathrooms, toilets, in the kitchen or in specialized medical rooms. If you use the usual drywall, a mold will form in its core and the material will collapse. Such a modification is more expensive due to water-repellent impregnations inside and additional processing of the paper layer.

Gyproc Aqua Strong moisture resistant 2500x1200x15mm

Rating: 4.9

Another product option from the Swedish brand, which is produced in Russia. The panels are finished with cardboard from all sides and have a thinned edge. Moisture-resistant drywall can be immediately recognized by the green color of the paper. The dimensions of the goods are ideal for most of the apartments with a ceiling of 2.5 m. The drywall modification is convenient for ordering for large repairs, since it is supplied on pallets of 46 pieces each. The core contains additional components that resist the effects of water and increase strength.

Experts included drywall in the ranking of the best because of its increased strength. Tests and reviews have shown that in order to pull out the OLA anchor from this material, a force of 65 kg should be applied. We recommend to pay attention to this product to those who are going to hang in the bathroom a lot of shelves, mirrors or other objects of average gravity. The panels will withstand such a load and will last for a long time.

KNAUF GSP-H2 moisture resistant 2500x1200x9.5mm

Rating: 4.8

Finishing panels from a proven brand, manufactured with a cross section of a wall of 9.5 mm to facilitate weight and fastening in any spatial position. The paper is impregnated with hydrophobic components, but at the same time, the entire sheet can pass an excessive amount of moisture from the room. Goods are sold both individually and on pallets of 50 pieces for large volumes during construction. Well-known products are relatively cheap, but users in the reviews are divided that this has affected the quality - large air bubbles are caught inside the gypsum.

According to our experts, drywall was worth adding to the rating because of its flexibility when passing by a needle roller in the wetted state, which is suitable for organizing a complex curved ceiling in a spacious bathroom or in the kitchen. The semicircular edge allows you to create thick hermetic joints, which are enough to paint on the outside and not necessarily finish with additional materials.

Volma moisture resistant 2500x1200x12.5mm

Rating: 4.7

Domestic modification with antifungal additives and impregnation of cardboard. The core is made by pressing and is further susceptible to firing to increase density. The panels are produced with a thickness of 12.5 mm, and 49 pallets are available for bulk purchases. Users and builders in reviews like its affordability, but some complain that it is difficult to adjust the twisting force on the screwdriver so that the fasteners do not tear the paper. This is due to the panel structure being too rigid.

Experts unanimously recommend this modification in the rating for the manufacture of columns, ducts or niches in large premises with high humidity (swimming pools, shower gyms, etc.). A thickness of 12.5 mm tolerates shocks well and will help preserve the integrity of structures. Outside, you will only have to lay ceramic tile on the drywall.

The best fire resistant plasterboards

Modification denoted as GKLO. Sheets are painted in red or pink, intuitively indicating resistance to fire. The material is expensive due to the reinforcing components and impregnations that increase resistance to high temperatures and open flame. GKLO is applied when finishing panel board, kotelen, industrial rooms. In everyday life, it is advisable for them to decorate the walls of the fireplace, stove and chimney in a private house.

Volma fire resistant 2500x1200x12.5mm

Rating: 4.9

Fire-resistant drywall from domestic producers, sold on pallets of 47 sheets. It is composed of special additives for resistance to fire and destruction from exposure to open fire. It is classified into B2 group by flammability, implying that in order to light up even the outer paper layer, the panel must be exposed for a long time to direct contact with fire. Reviews and test results indicate that if you install a partition of two such sheets and fill it with mineral wool 5 cm, then it will delay the spread of fire for 60 minutes, which corresponds to the fire-technical standard EI60.

According to experts, fire-resistant gypsum plasterboard Volma deserved a place in the ranking of the best because of its resistance to smoke. According to the smoke, the product is assigned a class D1, therefore, in case of a fire in a room with a similar finish, there will be excellent visibility and the ability to breathe. This makes drywall suitable for installation in facilities with a large number of personnel where there is an increased likelihood of fire.

KNAUF GSP-DF fire-resistant 2500kh1200kh12.5mm

Rating: 4.8

The core of this drywall is made of binding brands of gypsum G4 and pressed. Inside, reinforcing components are used, and fire resistant products comply with GOST 32614-2012. The semicircular thinned edge contributes to the creation of durable seams, precluding the occurrence of cracks in the future. But when ordering directly at the factory or from authorized dealers, you can agree on the manufacture of other types of chamfers. The outer layer is securely attached to the core by adhesives.

On various Internet resources, this drywall is recommended by up to 83% of users in reviews. Our experts have made fire-resistant drywall in the rating due to compliance not only with Russian but also with international standards EN 520: 2009 and the availability of the corresponding certificate. This product is optimal for the creation of fire barriers in buildings with a large number of people (cinemas, shopping centers), which are subjected to rigorous inspections by regulatory bodies.

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Attention! This rating is subjective, is not advertising and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you should consult with a specialist.