Blue Board Vs. Drywall: What's The Difference?

Many homebuyers, builders, and renovators aren't sure what to hang on their walls. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to tell which one offers the best utility for your space. Blue board and drywall are two of the most commonly selected options when it comes to walls, and each one offers different benefits depending on need and location. With that being said, the advantages of using one or the other typically depends on several factors. To help you better understand the differences between the two, our skilled drywall company is going to compare blue board and drywall and outline some benefits and drawbacks to help you understand each option better. Ultimately, we hope this will give you an easier time deciding on your next project.

Drywall

Drywall is made of gypsum and calcium sulfate, and it's been in use since the 1940s for a variety of spaces like homes, offices, commercial buildings, and more. It's typically cut into standard sizes like 4 feet wide by 8, 12, or 16 feet length choices. However, it's very easy to cut and shape to fit any space, so its rectangular nature isn't a contributing factor when choosing whether or not to use it. Drywall is installed by hanging, joint compound application, and sanding. With drywall, you're looking at a special veneer that hardens to prevent dings, scratches, or even holes.

This is a big advantage for spaces with the potential for lots of movement or collisions, as it can cut down on the need for patch repair or extra painting and minimizes potential damage across the space. However, drywall comes with some drawbacks. It usually looks rough and is not nearly as smooth to the touch and is noticeably more textured. The timeline for mounting and finishing a drywall installation is also a minimum of three days. It needs time for the compound to cure and for proper sanding. The bigger the space, the longer the waiting period.

Blue Board

On the other hand, blue board is constructed a bit differently. Blue board still has the same gypsum interior, but the outside is coated in a blue paper, hence the name. This blue paper is designed to bond with a specific kind of plaster. This allows builders much more control over the final texture and smoothness of the walls after the plaster application. Blue board also doesn't require a three day waiting period, as the entire project can be completed one step after another. After the blue board has been mounted, the installer can apply some tape and then plaster the joints with no joint compound needed. After that, the entire wall is covered with one or two thin layers of the special plaster.

The benefit of using blue board is the strong absorption of the blue paper. Since the paper absorbs much better than normal drywall, the overall product is much smoother and evenly toned across the entire wall. The joints are not as obvious, and the final texture is incredibly smooth to both touch and sight. Since the blue paper is much more receptive to the application paint versus the drywall mud, builders have a variety of choices for finishes and final looks for their blue board installation.