Paperless Gypsum Board vs. Mold Resistant vs. Standard
We are currently working on a government contract that requires paperless gypsum board but it has brought up the question of the pros and cons of the various products available and the tradeoffs involved for each.
Standard Gypsum Board is a fantastic product when installed and maintained correctly but one of its weaknesses is the Paper face . Anyone who has seen a piece of gypsum board exposed to water or a focused impact has seen this problem in action.
To address this issue manufacturers have responded with newer more advanced products but they come at an increased cost and have some of their own drawbacks.
Paperless Drywall:
Pros-
- Typically covered in fiberglass
- No paper for mold to feed on
- More Durable
- Vapor Barrier often not needed (cost savings)
Cons-
- Harder to install and finish
- 2x more expensive
- Not as much recycled content
Mold Resistant Drywall:
Pros-
- Added treatment on paper for Mold resistance
- Higher Recycled content
- Easy to finish
Cons-
- No added impact resistance
- Slightly more expensive
- Vapor Barrier still needed (dependent on assembly)
Standard Drywall:
Pros-
- Least Expensive
- Higher Recycled content
- Easy to finish
Cons-
- Limited moisture resistance
- No added impact resistance
- Vapor Barrier still needed (dependent on assembly)
