Different Drywall Types and Fire Safety
by Dale Johnson on Jul 12, 2018
There are soundproof, moisture resistant, fire-resistant, and other drywall types. Check here what you need to know about drywall and fire safety.
The construction boom after the Second Great War increased the number of drywall installation projects. The relatively young gypsum product with the paper facing replaced plaster and lath due to its lower cost. Most interior walls and ceilings are drywall.
Since gypsum contains water, drywall resists fire. It slows down fire as its structure breaks down little by little. So there is no question of whether or not, the property owner will need drywall removal among other restorations. It's a question of whether there is time for people to evacuate the property before the fire spreads. And the response to this question came with new drywall types that are made specifically to be fire-resistant. So let's see which the main drywall types and the fire safety concerns are.
The typical drywall types
Drywall is classified into several big categories. So when you turn to your drywall contractor expert, define your needs. Let's elaborate. The most common drywall type is wrapped with paper. Although gypsum contains water which slows down the spread of fire, the paper facings along with the painting is flammable. In an attempt to diminish drywall damage due to increased moisture and mold growth, the manufacturers produced improved types which are distinguished by their color. The green, blue and purple boards became the dominant solutions to wet environments, like bathrooms and kitchens.
The concern with common drywall types is that although gypsum will decrease the spread of fire by 30 minutes, the flammable fascia will burn immediately and cause smoke. Now, paperless drywall has substituted paper with fiberglass and it will also slow fire from spreading fast but the best options are types x and type c drywall.
Type X drywall
This fire-resistant drywall is usually 5/8'' thick and increases fire rating from 30 minutes to 1 hour. The difference here is not just the extra thickness of the product but that the gypsum core consists of glass fibers that are noncombustible.
Type C drywall
This is the improvement of the fire code X type. The gypsum still contains glass fibers only more. It also contains other components which make it even more resistant to fire. The type C drywall has a 2-4 hour fire rating and can be 5/8'' or ½'' thick.
Type X Shaftliner drywall
This is the latest fire-resistant drywall product. Made of a noncombustible gypsum core with glass fibers, this type shows incredible resistance to fire although its fascia, edges, and back are covered by water-repellent paper.
Drywall types and fire safety concerns
It's common practice for drywall companies not to install fire-resistant products all over the house. The X Shaftliner drywall, in particular, is not used for exterior applications either and mostly in a stairwell and elevator enclosures, area separation firewalls, corridor ceilings etc. Fire-resistant drywalls are used as the walls separating the main house and garage and around the boiler.
Now, one of the most frequently asked questions on the side of homeowners is why fire resistant drywall is not used all around the house! There are two reasons for that: first, they are more expensive. Second, although they will provide the highest degree of fire safety, walls are not the only things in the house that can spread a fire. There are non-fire-rated interior doors and many flammable objects in the house that can accelerate a fire.
Of course, you are free to install fire-resistant drywall around the house. One more thing to know about fire-rated drywall is that the products must be certified by UL, ASTM or another third party. So make sure you choose the right product and always based on your needs since drywall types are classified into major categories (standard, moisture resistant, soundproof, fire-resistant etc.)
Popular Articles
Three Places to Spend Money on the Exterior of Your Home
When you have the exterior of your home remodeled, you are investing, time, energy and convenience into the project and you want to make sure that...
74076 Views
When to Use a Brush, Roller or Sponge Brush
Brushes are a good choice for painting trim and woodwork. They are also useful for cutting in the edges around the top and bottom edges and corners...
67745 Views
Homemade Headboards-Make an Upholstered or Wooden Headboard
Homemade headboards can add a lot of personality to any bedroom. They can be coordinated with existing furniture and room decor or they can be the...
63666 Views
Creating a Cottage Kitchen with Bead Board
Kitchen decor can range from modern and bold to elegant and elaborate by using strategic kitchen pieces. One of the most popular decorating trends...
43693 Views
Gas Fireplace Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
Follow these steps for diagnosing and troubleshooting Gas Fireplaces repairs. For the average DIYer, this may seem intimidating, depending on the...
27129 Views
Latest Articles
Navigating Singapore's Property Regulations: A Guide for Foreign Investors
Singapores property market has been attracting foreign investors for many years, thanks to its stable economy, strong legal system, and transparent...
on Mar 22, 2023
What Truck Size Do I Need to Move a 3-Bedroom House
Moving to a new home can be a complex and stressful process, but with the help of the right truck size, you can make it a smooth and seamless...
on Feb 13, 2023
Five Tips to Take Better Care of Your Basement Insulation
Basement waterproofing is an essential part of home maintenance, as it helps to protect the basement from moisture, flooding, and other...
on Feb 12, 2023
Homeowner In The UK? Here's Why You Need to Know about Rainwater Drainage Systems
In the United Kingdom, there is an average of around 1,200 millimeters of rainfall annually. Keeping rainwater out of your home and away from your...
on Feb 2, 2023
What are the Advantages of a Metal Roof
Metal roofing is durable and beautiful, allowing a home to stand out from others with conventional tiled roofs. A metal coating can last a...
on Feb 1, 2023
Featured Articles
What Type of Licensed Contractor Should You Hire?
on Feb 28, 2017
Hire Contractors / Estimates

Looking for a specialty project? There are many types of contractors available for your home improvement needs. Finding the right type of...
Sponsored Articles
Real Estate Investment for the Next Generation
on Oct 18, 2022
Real Estate / Finance

Investing in real estate is something that people have been doing for a long time. Most people invest in a home, so they can stay at the home. This...
Real Estate Investment for Future Generations
on Mar 14, 2022
Real Estate / Finance

Purchasing a home is not simply a financial commitment. It is also an excellent way to start accumulating your wealth. Your home is also a...
Can I Sell My House with a Leaky Roof?
on Oct 28, 2021
Real Estate / Finance

The answer to this query is YES. It is possible to sell a house with a leaking roof, but it's always essential to evaluate some factors before...
Actions
Top Categories
- Garden / Landscaping / Patio — 260
- Kitchen / Bathrooms — 239
- Real Estate / Finance — 195
- Appliance / Repair — 185
- Interior Design / Decor — 183
- HVAC / Air Conditioning — 147
- Cleaning / Maintenance — 143
- Improvements / Remodeling — 131
- Plumbing / Basements — 118
- Floors / Tile / Hardwood — 115
- Doors / Garages — 113
- Safety / Security — 112
Articles Archive
More DIY Articles
5 Creative Ways to Organise Your Office
We all know the struggle of having of messy office and an even messier desk. We just never seem to have the time to clean and organize everything...
Tips for a Cosy Conservatory
A conservatory is a wonderful room to have in your home, mainly because it can be used for a variety of different reasons. For instance, you may...
Amazing Cleaning Hacks with Ketchup
Ketchup is great on hamburgers and hot dogs, but it is also pretty handy for cleaning things around the house. It can be found in almost every home...
The Simplest Ways to Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal
What does the exterior of your home say about you? You may think it’s unfair to judge a book by its cover, but naturally, it’s what humans do. If...
How to Maintain your AC System in 3 Easy Steps
The key to enjoying a continuously cool and energy-efficient home through the dog days of summer is to properly maintain your AC system. By...