With so many building materials to pick from, it’s hard to know which is best. Whether you are looking to build a shed for the backyard, renovate your kitchen, or build an entire house, there are pros and cons to both options. But what makes one better than the other? And should you choose plywood or drywall?
Drywall is known for its durability and how easy it is to install. Drywall can be used on any surface (walls, ceilings, etc.), whereas plywood cannot. Choosing drywall will save you money in the long run because it’s cheaper.
If you are looking for something that is more fire-resistant, then plywood might be the better option. It’s heavier than drywall but made of stronger material, making it last longer than drywall does. So why should you go for drywall instead of plywood?
What’s the difference between drywall and plywood?
Drywall is typically installed on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces. It is also fire-resistant. Plywood has a lot of uses but is typically used for framing and building walls.
Choosing drywall instead of plywood can save you money in the long run because it’s cheaper and fire-resistant.
How much does drywall cost?
Drywall is cheaper than plywood. According to an expert from Skyline Drywall Repair in Washington DC, drywall typically costs between $0.80 and $1.00 per square foot, while a comparable plywood cost will run anywhere from $2.50 to $3.00 per square foot. That’s a significant difference in price, and it’s possible that you could be wasting money by going with the more expensive option of plywood instead of drywall.
Why is drywall better than plywood?
It’s easier to install. Drywall is easy to install and will save you time and money in the long run. It can be used on any surface and doesn’t need any extra finishing steps that plywood needs like painting or staining. You could also go with drywall on ceilings or walls, which plywood cannot do.
Drywall is lighter than plywood, which means it will be less expensive to transport from the manufacturer to your location. With fewer materials needed for installation, drywall will also require less labor hours.
Plywood doesn’t last as long as drywall does because it’s made of thinner sheets of wood. Plywood is more likely to warp, crack, swell and shrink over time due to temperature changes; however, because you are going with a thicker material (drywall), these issues won’t happen as often with it.
Drywall is more fire-resistant than plywood because it has a thicker layer of material that forms the wall, whereas plywood only has a thin layer of wood formed into sheets that are very lightweight and easy to ignite.
What are the benefits of building with drywall?
If you are looking for something that is more fire-resistant, then plywood might be the better option. It’s heavier than drywall but made of stronger material, making it last longer than drywall does.
In addition to being more fire-resistant, drywall is also easier to install because it doesn’t require any fasteners or caulking like plywood does. This makes installing drywall quicker and less time-consuming. It’s also easy to find and purchase at a reasonable price point. Sometimes, people prefer plywood because it can be easily tiled over when the time comes for a new design.
Plywood might cost you more in the long run than drywall, but if you are building a structure that will be around for a few years and requires repair or replacement, then it may be worth going with the cheaper option.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a building material that will last, then drywall is the way to go.