What is a plasterboard wall?

If you have ever walked into a modern home or office, you have likely seen plasterboard walls without even realizing it. They are everywhere in construction today.

A plasterboard wall is a wall made from factory-produced gypsum boards fixed to a framework, offering a smooth finish without traditional wet plastering.

When I first entered the building material industry, I was surprised how quickly plasterboard walls could be installed compared to old-style plastered brick walls. The system is light, flat, and ready for painting almost right away. This speed and neatness are part of why it is common in modern projects.

What is the difference between drywall and plasterboard?

Many people get confused by these two names, thinking they are different products. They are not.

There is no real difference between drywall and plasterboard — they are the same product, called differently in different regions.

I remember once a customer from the US asked me for drywall samples. When I sent plasterboard specifications, he wrote back saying, “No, I asked for drywall.” I explained that in America, people say “drywall,” while in the UK and Australia they say “plasterboard.” The only difference sometimes is in board type and thickness for specific markets. Structurally, both are layers of gypsum sandwiched between paper liners, installed as part of a dry construction method.

Here’s a clear breakdown:

Region	Common Name	Core Material	Main Use
USA/Canada	Drywall	Gypsum	Interior walls
UK/Australia	Plasterboard	Gypsum	Interior walls
Worldwide	Gypsum Board	Gypsum	Interior walls

Why do Americans call plasterboard drywall?

Names in the building industry often come from the installation method. Americans focus on how it is put up.

Americans call it drywall because it uses no wet plaster. It is installed dry, ready for finishing almost immediately after fixing.

In many early construction projects in the US, wet plastering was slow and required time for layers to dry. The new gypsum board system could be nailed or screwed directly to wooden or metal studs. This eliminated drying time, so workers began calling it “dry-wall” in contrast to “wet walls.” I have seen projects cut weeks off their schedules this way. The name stuck and became standard across the country, even though the material is the same as plasterboard.

What are the disadvantages of plasterboard walls?

Every building material has trade-offs. Plasterboard is no exception.

The main disadvantages of plasterboard walls are low impact resistance, lower load-bearing ability, moisture sensitivity, and average sound insulation.

I had one client tell me his children had knocked holes in the plasterboard while playing indoors. This happens because the board surface is softer than solid brick or block walls. The load-bearing issue also means that to hang heavy items like shelves or TVs, you must fix them into the metal or wooden studs or use special anchors. In humid environments, standard boards can swell and get moldy. This is why I always recommend moisture-resistant boards in bathrooms or kitchens.

Here’s a simplified table:

Disadvantage	Cause	Solution
Low impact strength	Soft core material	Use thicker boards, protect with corner guards
Low load capacity	Core not structural	Fix to studs or use special expansion anchors
Moisture damage	Gypsum absorbs water	Use moisture-resistant boards in wet areas
Weak soundproofing	Low mass density	Add insulation or double board layers

Conclusion

Plasterboard (or drywall) is fast, smooth, and popular, but it needs the right type, thickness, and installation to overcome its weaknesses.