Gypsum Board Selection Guide: A Comprehensive Analysis of the Specifications and Uses of the Four Mainstream Categories
Ordinary gypsum board, as a basic type, is a "versatile player" for both home and commercial decoration. Its standard specifications are 9.5mm, 12mm, and 15mm in thickness, 1200mm in width, and 2400mm or 3000mm in length. Special sizes with thicknesses ranging from 9.5 to 25mm can be customized. In terms of performance, it is both lightweight and easy to process, with a surface density of only 1/15 of that of brick walls. It is convenient to cut and nail, and is suitable for ordinary indoor ceilings, non-load-bearing partition walls and other scenarios. It is understood that the basic decoration of most civil buildings such as the Beijing Guomao Building Complex adopts this category.
Fireproof gypsum board is a "key defense line" for safety protection. It can be quickly identified by the pink surface paper, and the core of the board is added with glass fiber and special additives. The standard thicknesses are 12mm and 15mm, with a fire resistance limit of over 45 minutes, far exceeding the national standard requirement of 20 minutes. Some top-grade products can last for 1 to 4 hours and are classified as A2 grade non-combustible materials. When installed on metal keels, it can be used as Grade A material and is widely applied in scenarios such as distribution rooms, kitchens, and fireproof partition walls. Key projects like the National Grand Theatre all adopt this category.
Moisture-proof gypsum board is specially designed for humid environments. Its front surface is light blue. The core advantage is that its wet expansion rate is only 0.01%, which is much lower than the 0.25% of fiber cement-based products. The regular specifications are the same as the common model. With a thickness of 12mm, it is the preferred choice for damp areas and is suitable for scenarios such as bathroom ceilings and basement partition walls. It achieves "inside-out" moisture-proof performance through an internally doped moisture-proof agent. After being treated with waterproof sealing, it can effectively resist moisture deformation.
Zero-formaldehyde gypsum board is in line with the trend of green decoration. It adds formaldehyde-removing components on the basis of the ordinary type, with a formaldehyde emission of less than 0.03mg/m³, meeting the ENF grade environmental protection standard. The specifications cover a thickness of 9.5-15mm, featuring both sound insulation and humidity regulation functions. It is suitable for enclosed Spaces such as baby rooms, bedrooms, and offices. Data shows that for Spaces decorated with this category, the formaldehyde purification rate can reach over 80%.
Industry experts remind that when purchasing, the category should be matched according to the scene. For fireproof and moisture-proof scenarios, the GB 8624-2012 test report should be checked first. For environmental protection needs, the green building materials label should be recognized. At present, all mainstream brands support customization services and can adjust the size and performance according to the special requirements of the project.
