In Plain English
Quick Answer
The standard material used to make interior walls and ceilings, made of gypsum sandwiched between paper facing.
Definition
Definition
Drywall is a panel made of gypsum plaster sandwiched between two sheets of paper facing, used to construct interior walls and ceilings. It is also called gypsum board or sheetrock and is installed by screwing or nailing panels to wall framing, then taping and finishing joints. Drywall is available in standard, moisture-resistant, fire-rated, and abuse-resistant types.
Context
Why It Matters in Bidding
Drywall is one of the largest interior-finish line items on commercial and residential bids, priced by square foot of board plus labor for hanging, taping, and finishing, so estimators must capture the correct type (standard, Type X fire-rated, moisture-resistant) because misreading the spec can leave a bid thousands of dollars short or noncompliant with code. Fire-rated assemblies tie directly to inspection approval, so getting the drywall scope right affects both bid accuracy and award risk.
Example
Example
When pricing the tenant build-out, the estimator separated 5/8-inch Type X board at the corridor fire-rated walls from standard 1/2-inch board elsewhere, since the rated assemblies carried higher labor and inspection costs.
See Also
Related Terms
FAQ
Questions Contractors Ask
How is drywall measured and priced in a construction estimate?
Drywall is quantified by square foot of wall and ceiling surface, then converted to board count using common sheet sizes like 4x8 or 4x12. Estimators add separate line items for hanging labor, taping and finishing to a specified level, corner bead, fasteners, and waste, usually allowing five to ten percent for cutting and breakage.
What is the difference between Type X drywall and regular drywall when bidding?
Type X board contains glass fibers and additives that slow burn-through, achieving a one-hour rating in tested wall assemblies, while regular board carries no rating. Bids must match board type to the architectural fire-rating schedule, because substituting standard board into a rated wall fails inspection and forces costly rework after finishing is complete.
Why do drywall finish levels matter in a bid?
Finish levels from 0 through 5 define how much taping, coating, and sanding the work requires, and labor cost climbs sharply at higher levels. A Level 5 finish for critical lighting can cost far more than a Level 3 finish hidden behind cabinets, so estimators who ignore the specified level either underbid labor or over-finish concealed areas.
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