drywall

Imagine putting up a wall quickly: this is the material that makes that possible. It's the smooth surface you often see before paint or wallpaper is added inside modern homes and buildings. Think of it as a fast, low-cost way to make interior walls and ceilings. It is also called "plasterboard" or sometimes "Sheetrock" (a brand name), and it is made from gypsum pressed between thick sheets of paper. It is not waterproof, so leaks can damage it. You'll often hear about it in home repair, building work, or renovation.

Drywall, also known as plasterboard or Sheetrock (a popular brand name), is a panel made of gypsum plaster pressed between two thick sheets of paper. It has become the standard for interior walls and ceilings in residential and commercial buildings since the mid-20th century, largely replacing traditional lath and plaster.

Before drywall, building interior walls was a much slower process involving layers of wooden strips (lath) covered with wet plaster. Drywall is quicker to install, lighter, and more cost-effective. It comes in large sheets that are screwed or nailed onto wood or metal studs, then taped, "mudded" (covered with joint compound), sanded smooth, and finally painted or wallpapered.

You'll hear about drywall in contexts like home improvement projects ("We're redoing the bathroom and putting up new drywall"), construction ("The crew is finishing the drywall on the second floor"), or damage repair ("There's a hole in the wall—we need to patch the drywall"). It's also important to note that while durable, drywall isn't waterproof. Exposure to moisture can cause it to crumble and mold, so it's not suitable for shower interiors or exterior applications without proper protection.

So, next time you see a smooth interior wall, remember the unsung hero behind it: drywall—the material that quickly transforms empty spaces into comfortable rooms.