Both Gyproc gypsum board and gypsum plaster come from Saint-Gobain and are made from the same base material — calcium sulphate. But they are entirely different products, used in completely different applications, installed in different ways, and suitable for different situations.
This confusion is one of the most common ones we encounter: homeowners asking about "Gyproc plastering" when they mean gypsum plaster applied to walls — or builders specifying "gypsum board" when they actually want a plastered wall finish. This guide clarifies everything.
What Is Gyproc Gypsum Board?
Gyproc gypsum board (also called drywall, plasterboard, or partition board) is a prefabricated panel made of a gypsum core sandwiched between two layers of paper. It comes in standard sheet sizes (typically 1200mm x 2400mm x 12.5mm thick) and is installed by fixing to a metal stud frame using screws.
The surface of gypsum board is paper-faced — it cannot be left exposed. It requires a skim coat of finish plaster or jointing compound, and then paint. The result looks like a plastered wall but is actually a framed partition system.
Primary uses: Non-structural interior partitions, false ceilings, shaft walls, fire-rated wall assemblies, drywall fit-outs in commercial spaces.
What Is Gypsum Plaster?
Gypsum plaster is a wet-applied finish material. It comes as a powder that is mixed with water on site and applied directly to the structural wall surface (brick, RCC, AAC block) using a trowel. It sets hard and provides the finished wall surface — ready for paint after 48 hours.
Primary uses: Interior wall and ceiling finish on all structural masonry and concrete surfaces.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Parameter | Gyproc Gypsum Board | Gypsum Plaster |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Rigid sheet (prefabricated) | Powder mixed with water on site |
| Applied to | Metal stud frame | Brick, RCC, AAC block surfaces |
| Thickness | 9.5mm or 12.5mm (standard) | 10–16mm applied |
| Creates new wall? | Yes — partition walls | No — finishes existing wall |
| Surface finish | Requires skim coat or joint finish | Paint-ready surface directly |
| Structural wall? | No — non-load-bearing only | Applied to structural wall — no change to structure |
| Fire rated variants | Yes — up to 4-hour rated assemblies | Contributes to fire resistance but not rated assemblies |
| Moisture resistant variants | Yes — moisture-resistant board for humid areas | Standard — not for wet areas |
| Installation speed | Very fast (dry work) | Faster than cement plaster |
| Cost (rough guide) | ₹200–350 per sq.ft installed | ₹38–48 per sq.ft applied |
| Removes easily? | Yes — partition can be dismantled | No — permanent finish |
When to Use Gypsum Board
- Creating new partition walls where no structural wall exists (office fit-outs, subdividing rooms)
- False ceilings (suspended ceiling systems)
- Shaft enclosures (around ducts, pipes, lift shafts)
- Where fire-rated wall assemblies are specified by code (hospitals, hotels, commercial buildings)
- Where partitions need to be relocated or removed in future
- Renovation projects where wet plastering is not practical
When to Use Gypsum Plaster
- Finishing interior walls and ceilings of all masonry and concrete buildings
- Any new home or apartment construction where the walls are brick, RCC, or AAC blocks
- Renovation of existing plaster on structural walls
- When you want a genuinely seamless wall finish without joints
- When total cost efficiency matters — gypsum plaster at ₹38–45/sq.ft is far cheaper than gypsum board at ₹200–350/sq.ft for the same wall area
Can You Use Both in the Same Building?
Yes — and this is very common in modern construction:
- Structural walls (brick, AAC, RCC): gypsum plaster
- New non-structural partitions (office layouts, subdivided rooms): gypsum board on metal stud
- False ceilings: gypsum board on suspended grid
- Fire-rated shaft walls and staircase enclosures: rated gypsum board assembly
What Kanish Plasters Does
Kanish Plasters specialises in gypsum plaster application — the wet-applied finish on structural walls and ceilings. We do not install gypsum board partition systems (that is a dry-work specialty trade). If your project needs both, we handle the plastering scope and work alongside a dry-lining contractor for the partition and ceiling work.
For projects requiring gypsum plastering on structural walls, contact us for a free site visit and quote.
For more on Gyproc products, see our Gyproc comprehensive guide.