We may realise tax income from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs . Learn More ›

Unless you live in an honest-to-goodness plate with cataplasm and lath wall , then you ’re likely surrounded by panels of constrict gypsum powder that make up the national wall and roof in many home . While most of us are familiar with standard white board drywall sheet , there is actually a all-inclusive variety of dry wall type . They come in such deep sounding names as blue wall , green wall , and purple paries , Type C , and Type X.

Since these names provide very little insight into when and where you should use them , select dry wall panel for your next dwelling house refurbishment project can be more than a little confusing . We tapped Mitch Coluzzi , who ’s sky hundreds of household forSoldFast.comas the home base purchasing company ’s pass of construction , to help us make sense of it all . With his help , we ’ve foregather a listing of the 10 most common types of drywall , ended with descriptions and designate covering .

A DIYer installing drywall in a home basement with bathroom.

Photo: ferrantraite/E+ via Getty Images

1. White Board

The most common character of dry wall , white board , is made from compressed gypsum pulverisation that ’s held in place by heavy grade paper . White board is used to create walls and ceiling in sleeping accommodation , experience room , and hallway . It ’s themost affordable type of drywalland comes in a broad range of thicknesses . Unlike other types of drywall , white board does n’t have any mould or mold resistance , so it ’s not worthy for bathrooms or kitchens .

well For : White circuit card is easily used for ceilings and walls in bedchamber , hallways , and livelihood areas .

Common Sizes

1/4 in : This thin wallboard thickness is used for plow wear out out , damage wallboard . Since it ’s also more pliable than stocky drywall , ¼-inch drywall is also suitable for creating curve wall .

3/8 inch : Slightly thicker than 1/4 - inch wallboard , 3/8 - column inch drywall is used torepair holes in drywalland can also be used for wall with a slight curve .

1/2 inch : The most common heaviness of white board , 1/2 - column inch dry wall is the standard for produce interior bulwark .

Sheets of 1/2 inch white board drywall against a white background.

Photo: The Home Depot

5/8 column inch : Whereas 1/2 - inch drywall is typically used for walls , this thicker drywall is the standard for ceilings .

2. Green Board

Green board is a moisture - resistant drywall that gets its name from the green - colored wax paper backing that gives it its impedance to water . Its moisture - tolerant quality make it a democratic pick for kitchens and bathroom , though Coluzzi take note that you should onlyuse it for walls and ceilingsthat do not come into contact with water .

Best For : Its resistance to wet makes it suitable for walls in kitchen , can , laundry rooms .

3. Blue Board

Blue board is a porous eccentric of drywall that is designed specifically to attach with veneer plaster . Unlike white board drywall , which hasseamsyou must tape , mud , and sand multiple times , blue board issimply tapedthen veneer over with a thicklayer of plasterwork . While this method is expensive and requires technique and skill that ’s beyond what the average DIYer can handle , it give rise an esthetically superscript finish that ’s more durable than standard drywall .

easily For : Blue board is specifically designed for veneer daubing .

4. Purple Board

Purple card , a case of drywall made byGold Bond Building Products , has a gypsum inwardness that ’s resistant to moisture , mildew and mold . These quality make purple plank ideal for areas prone to moisture . “ Purple is water- , mold- , and mold - resistant and should be used at any blotto location , ” Colluzi says .

This mold - tolerant dry wall also has a heavier newspaper covering than standard white board , which clear it more resistant to scuffs , dents , and scratches . Its ability to endure abuse makes purple circuit card an attractive dry wall choice for high - traffic parts of the home , such as hallway , stairwells , and service department .

well For : Wet humid areas such asbathrooms , kitchen , and laundry rooms , and high - traffic parts of the rest home .

A DIYer or contractor carrying a sheet of green board drywall through a kitchen renovation site.

Photo: The Home Depot

5. Paperless

Paperless drywall apply a wet - insubordinate fiberglass cut across or else of paper . This design protects the drywall from water supply , keep mould and mildew growth , while also making it stronger and more durable thantraditional drywallthat uses a newspaper masking . This makes paperless drywall ideal for tub and exhibitioner wall that are above the roofing tile job and behind can and amour propre . Since paperless drywall is alsoGreenguard certified , it emits very few volatile organic compounds ( VOCs ) , which is good for indoor air lineament .

Best For : Paperless dry wall ’s moisture electric resistance makes it ideal for usance above the tile line in showers and behind sinks .

6. Cement Board

This drywall stuff is made from cementum integrate with vulcanized fiber that give it enhance structural unity and excellent moisture resistance . Also call backer add-in , cement board ’s rigid structure and water - resistant tone make it a vulgar underlay for tile in bathrooms and kitchen .

“ Cement board is used in direct wet locations with two tenuous layers of waterproof tissue layer wheel on , ” says Coluzzi . Due to its heavier weight , most cement board is betray in smaller 3 - foot - by-5 - understructure sail .

Best For : Cement board is an ideal substrate for tile in bathrooms and kitchens .

A contractor installing blue board drywall made for plaster.

Photo: The Home Depot

7. Type X

This 5/8 - in thick wallboard offer a expectant degree of ardour resistance than other types of drywall thanks to glass fibers in its core that make it importantly more fervor - resistant than standard drywall . Whereas standard drywall can withstand fire for 30 second , character tenner drywall has a 1 - hour fire rating . Though sometimes used in home , type X dry wall isusually installedin commercial-grade buildings , such as hotels , school , and office building . It ’s normally used to add fire protection around public utility elbow room and furnaces and to separate various fire zones within a building .

Best For : Typically used in commercial-grade buildings to meet certain fervour safety codes .

8. Type C

Similar to Type X drywall , case one C is a ardor - immune type ofdrywall . Like Type X , case C is 5/8 - column inch thick and has a gypsum nitty-gritty infused with glassful fibers . Since case ampere-second has a mellow pct of methamphetamine hydrochloride fiber in its heart and soul , it ’s more ardor - resistive than case X. While eccentric X wallboard is commonly used for walls , case C is a common fire - immune drywall to habituate for ceiling and other horizontal covering that must meet certain fire electrical resistance codes .

“ For fire - rated applications , we used character X on wall and hundred on roof because coke is light and enumerate as 2X stratum , ” Colluzzi say .

Best For : While type snow is most often used in commercial-grade applications , it can be used in homes for cap in utility elbow room with furnace .

Purple board drywall installed in a home bathroom.

Photo: Lowe’s

9. Soundproof

Soundproof drywall is made by sandwiching layers of viscoelastic stuff and ceramic between gypsum . These additives ponder sound waves , effectively trap them in the wall to reduce randomness . Soundproof drywall is typically used in amusement rooms , medicine studios and for shared walls in flat buildings .

Best For : Soundproof drywall is a well solution for dampening disturbance from an entertainment way or in - home music studio .

10. VOC-Absorbing Drywall

This ripe eccentric of dry wall has additives built into it that capture and neutralise VOCs in a home as aviation flows through the wall , improving the overall indoor air tone of a nursing home . Some VOC - absorbing drywall products can enchant and convert VOCs for up to 75 years and go forward to work even when painted with multiple coats of paint .

better For : While VOC absorbing drywall is peculiarly useful for room prone to high VOCs , such as drywall for basements , service department , and workshops , this case of drywall can also be used throughout a menage to improve its overall air character .

This Is the Year for a Kitchen Renovation

Paperless drywall on a white background.

Photo: The Home Depot

Whether you ’re selling or staying , everyone can get something out of a kitchen update . instruct why we consider this redevelopment the Most Valuable Project of 2025 and how to outride on budget .

A DIYer installing cement board sheets in a home bathroom remodel.

Photo: The Home Depot

A contractor installing Type X fire-resistant drywall in a home.

Photo: Lowe’s

Type C drywall installed in a residential home.

Photo: The Home Depot

Soundproofing drywall pieces against a white background.

Photo: Lowe’s

VOC-absorbing drywall sheets stacked and against a white background.

Photo: CertainTeed

Article image