Drywall vs Sheetrock: What's the Difference?

If you've ever wondered whether drywall and Sheetrock are the same thing, you're not alone. These terms are often used interchangeably, confusing homeowners and even some contractors. The short answer is that Sheetrock is a brand name for drywall, similar to how Kleenex is a brand name for facial tissue. But there's more to the story, and understanding the nuances can help you make better decisions for your construction projects.

This guide explains the relationship between drywall and Sheetrock, covers other common names for this building material, and helps you understand what actually matters when selecting wall and ceiling panels for your home.

The Quick Answer

Drywall is the generic term for gypsum wallboard panels used to create interior walls and ceilings. It's the product category.

Sheetrock is a brand name for drywall manufactured by USG Corporation (United States Gypsum). It's one specific brand within the drywall category.

Think of it like this:

When people say "Sheetrock," they usually mean drywall in general, regardless of brand. Similarly, when contractors ask for Sheetrock, they typically accept any manufacturer's drywall.

History of Drywall and Sheetrock

Before Drywall: Plaster Walls

Until the mid-20th century, interior walls were built using wet plaster applied over wood lath strips. This process was:

• Highly labor-intensive
• Slow (required multiple coats with drying time between)
• Dependent on skilled plasterers
• Expensive due to labor costs

The Invention of Drywall

In 1916, United States Gypsum Company introduced Sheetrock brand gypsum wallboard as an alternative to plaster. The product offered significant advantages:

• Faster installation (dry panels vs. wet plaster)
• Lower labor costs
• More consistent results
• Easier for less-skilled workers to install

World War II and the Housing Boom

Drywall adoption accelerated during and after World War II:

• Skilled plasterers were unavailable (serving in the military)
• Post-war housing demand required faster construction
• Drywall enabled the building boom of the 1950s
• By the 1950s, drywall had largely replaced plaster in new construction

The Sheetrock Brand Legacy

Because USG's Sheetrock was the first and most prominent drywall brand, the name became synonymous with the product itself. Even today, over a century later, many people call all drywall "Sheetrock" regardless of manufacturer, much like calling all photocopiers "Xerox machines."

Other Names for Drywall

Drywall goes by many names depending on region, context, and era:

Common Names

• Drywall - The most common generic term in North America
• Sheetrock - Brand name used generically (like Kleenex)
• Gypsum board - Technical term describing the material
• Wallboard - Common alternative term
• Gypsum wallboard - Full technical name
• Plasterboard - Common in UK, Australia, and some other countries
• Gibraltar board - Brand name common in New Zealand
• Gyproc - Brand name common in UK and Canada

Regional Variations

Industry Terms

In construction documents and specifications, you might see:

• Gypsum board - Most common in specifications
• Gypsum panel product - ASTM standard terminology
• Type X gypsum board - Fire-rated drywall
• MR board - Moisture-resistant drywall

What Is Drywall Made Of?

Regardless of brand name, all standard drywall has the same basic composition:

Core Material: Gypsum

The core is made from gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate), a naturally occurring mineral that's also produced as a byproduct of coal-fired power plants. Gypsum has several properties that make it ideal for wallboard:

• Fire resistance - Contains chemically bound water that releases when heated
• Sound dampening - Dense material reduces sound transmission
• Dimensional stability - Doesn't shrink or expand significantly
• Affordable - Abundant and inexpensive to produce

Paper Facing

Standard drywall is sandwiched between layers of paper:

• Face paper - Smooth, ivory or gray colored, accepts paint and finish
• Back paper - Rougher, usually brown, not meant to be visible

The paper provides:

• Tensile strength (prevents core from cracking)
• Smooth surface for finishing
• Protection during handling

Additives

Various additives modify drywall properties:

• Glass fibers - Added to Type X for fire resistance
• Wax - Moisture-resistant boards have wax in the core
• Mold inhibitors - Chemicals that resist mold growth
• Lightweight aggregates - Reduce weight in lightweight panels

Major Drywall Brands

Several manufacturers produce drywall sold in North America. While the basic product is similar across brands, each offers different specialty products and availability.

USG Corporation (Sheetrock)

• Brand name: Sheetrock
• Market position: Largest U.S. manufacturer, most recognized brand
• Specialty products: Mold Tough, Firecode X, UltraLight
• Availability: Widely available at all major retailers

Georgia-Pacific (GP)

• Brand name: ToughRock, DensArmor
• Market position: Second largest U.S. manufacturer
• Specialty products: DensArmor (paperless), FireGuard
• Availability: Home Depot (exclusive partnership), distributors

National Gypsum

• Brand name: Gold Bond
• Market position: Third largest U.S. manufacturer
• Specialty products: XP (mold resistant), Fire-Shield
• Availability: Lowe's, distributors

CertainTeed

• Brand name: CertainTeed
• Market position: Significant regional presence
• Specialty products: M2Tech, AirRenew
• Availability: Varies by region

Are All Brands Equal?

For standard drywall applications, all major brands produce essentially equivalent products. They all meet ASTM standards and building code requirements. The main differences are in:

• Specialty products - Each brand has unique offerings
• Regional availability - Not all brands sold everywhere
• Pricing - Slight variations by location and retailer (see our drywall installation cost guide)
• Joint compound compatibility - Brands often recommend their own compounds

Bottom line: Buy what's available at a good price. For standard 1/2" or 5/8" drywall, the brand doesn't matter much.

Types of Drywall

Regardless of brand, drywall is available in several types for different applications:

Standard (Regular)

• Use: Most interior walls and ceilings
• Thicknesses: 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 5/8" (see our drywall sheet sizes guide for details)
• Identification: Gray or ivory face paper
• Cost: Least expensive option

Fire-Resistant (Type X)

• Use: Fire-rated assemblies, garage-to-house walls
• Thicknesses: 5/8" (most common), 1/2"
• Identification: "Type X" stamp, pink face in some brands
• Cost: 15-25% more than standard

Moisture-Resistant (Green Board)

• Use: Bathrooms, kitchens (not in showers)
• Thicknesses: 1/2", 5/8"
• Identification: Green face paper
• Cost: 20-30% more than standard

Mold-Resistant (Purple Board)

• Use: High-humidity areas, basements
• Thicknesses: 1/2", 5/8"
• Identification: Purple face (varies by brand)
• Cost: 30-50% more than standard

Soundproof/Acoustic

• Use: Home theaters, bedrooms, noise reduction
• Thicknesses: Varies (often 5/8")
• Identification: Brand-specific markings
• Cost: 3-4 times standard price

Lightweight

• Use: Any standard application, especially ceilings
• Thicknesses: 1/2", 5/8"
• Identification: "Lightweight" or "UltraLight" labeling
• Cost: 10-20% more than standard

What Actually Matters When Buying

Instead of worrying about brand names, focus on these factors:

1. Thickness

• 1/2" - Standard for walls, ceilings with 16" OC framing
• 5/8" - Required for fire rating, 24" OC ceilings
• 1/4" or 3/8" - Specialty uses (curves, resurfacing)

2. Type for Your Application

• Standard for most areas
• Type X where fire rating required
• Moisture/mold-resistant for high-humidity areas

3. Size and Weight

• Consider your ceiling height and access
• Lightweight versions are worth the extra cost for ceilings
• 4×8 easiest for DIY; 4×12 fewer seams for pros

4. Local Availability and Price

• Buy what's in stock to avoid delays
• Compare prices between stores (see our Home Depot vs Lowe's drywall price comparison)
• Consider delivery costs for large orders

Alternatives to Drywall

While drywall dominates residential construction, alternatives exist:

Plaster

Still used for: Historic renovation, custom textures, high-end projects

Advantages: Harder surface, more durable, custom shapes possible

Disadvantages: Expensive, labor-intensive, requires skilled tradespeople

Cement Board

Used for: Tile backer in wet areas (showers, tub surrounds)

Advantages: Waterproof, won't degrade from moisture

Disadvantages: Heavy, harder to cut, more expensive

Wood Paneling

Used for: Accent walls, rustic aesthetics

Advantages: Distinctive appearance, no finishing required

Disadvantages: Dated look in some applications, combustible

Fiber Cement Panels

Used for: High-moisture or high-abuse areas

Advantages: Very durable, moisture and fire resistant

Disadvantages: Heavy, expensive, specialized installation

How Drywall Is Made

Understanding the manufacturing process helps explain why different brands produce similar products. All major manufacturers use essentially the same process:

Step 1: Preparing the Gypsum

Raw gypsum is mined from quarries or collected as a byproduct from power plant emissions (called synthetic gypsum or FGD gypsum). The gypsum is:

• Crushed into small particles
• Heated to remove excess water (calcining)
• Ground into a fine powder called stucco

Step 2: Mixing

The gypsum powder is mixed with water and various additives in large mixers. Common additives include:

• Starch for better paper bonding
• Foam for lighter weight products
• Fiberglass for fire resistance (Type X)
• Wax for moisture resistance

Step 3: Board Formation

The wet gypsum slurry is spread between two sheets of paper on a continuous production line. The sandwich moves along a conveyor belt while the gypsum sets and hardens.

Step 4: Cutting and Drying

The continuous board is cut to standard lengths (8, 10, 12 feet) and passed through large kilns to remove remaining moisture. The dried boards are then bundled for shipping.

Quality Standards

All drywall sold in the United States must meet ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards. Key standards include:

• ASTM C36 - Standard specification for gypsum wallboard
• ASTM C1396 - Standard specification for gypsum board
• ASTM C1177 - Standard for glass mat gypsum substrate

Because all manufacturers must meet the same standards, there's remarkable consistency in quality across brands.

Environmental Considerations

For environmentally conscious builders, there are differences worth considering:

Recycled Content

Modern drywall contains significant recycled materials:

• Synthetic gypsum: Up to 100% of the gypsum in some products comes from power plant emissions (FGD gypsum), which would otherwise be waste
• Recycled paper: Most manufacturers use some percentage of recycled paper for facing
• Post-consumer drywall: Some manufacturers accept and recycle old drywall

Energy Efficiency

Gypsum production requires significant energy for calcining and drying. Some manufacturers have invested in more efficient processes. If this matters to you, research specific brands' environmental commitments.

Drywall Recycling

Rather than sending waste drywall to landfills, recycling options include:

• Agricultural soil amendment (gypsum improves soil)
• New drywall manufacturing
• Cement production

Check if your area has drywall recycling facilities before starting your project.

Working with Any Brand

Regardless of whether you're using Sheetrock, Gold Bond, ToughRock, or any other brand, the installation process is identical:

Cutting

All drywall cuts the same way:

1. Score the face paper with a utility knife
2. Snap the board along the score line
3. Cut the back paper to separate pieces

Hanging

Fastening methods are consistent across brands:

• Use drywall screws (1-1/4" for 1/2", 1-5/8" for 5/8")
• Space screws 12" apart on ceilings, 16" on walls
• Keep screws at least 3/8" from edges

Finishing

Any joint compound works with any brand of drywall (learn more in our drywall finish levels guide):

• Paper tape or mesh tape for seams
• Three coats of joint compound
• Sand between coats
• Prime before painting

Despite what manufacturers may suggest, you don't need to match brand of drywall to brand of joint compound. Any quality joint compound works fine with any drywall.

Common Questions

Is Sheetrock better than drywall?

No, because Sheetrock IS drywall. It's just one brand. Sheetrock brand drywall isn't inherently better or worse than other brands for standard applications. Choose based on type, thickness, availability, and price—not brand loyalty.

Why do people call all drywall Sheetrock?

Sheetrock was the first widely marketed drywall product (1916), and for decades it was the dominant brand. The name became genericized, similar to Xerox, Kleenex, or Band-Aid. People use "Sheetrock" to mean any brand of drywall.

Should I specifically request Sheetrock brand?

Usually not necessary. Unless you have a specific specialty product in mind that's only available from USG (like certain acoustic or mold-resistant products), any major brand of the appropriate type will work fine.

Is there any quality difference between brands?

For standard drywall products, quality is very consistent across major manufacturers. All must meet ASTM standards. Minor differences in handling (some brands claim easier cutting or lighter weight) rarely affect the finished product.

What should I actually ask for at the store?

Ask for drywall by its specifications: "I need 1/2-inch standard drywall, 4-by-8 sheets" or "5/8-inch Type X fire-rated drywall." The staff will show you what's in stock.

Summary: What You Need to Know

• Drywall is the generic product; Sheetrock is a brand name
• The terms are used interchangeably in everyday conversation
• All major brands produce equivalent standard products
• Focus on type, thickness, and availability—not brand
• Specialty products (soundproof, mold-resistant) may vary more between brands
• Buy what's available at a good price from any reputable manufacturer

When shopping, don't worry about whether the label says Sheetrock, Gold Bond, ToughRock, or simply "drywall." They're all the same fundamental product. What matters is getting the right type and thickness for your specific application.

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