The history of plasterboard, also known as drywall, traces back to the early 20th century as an innovation that revolutionised construction by offering a faster, more efficient alternative to traditional plaster walls.
Now it’s time to change things up again!
Gypsum has been used for construction for thousands of years, dating back to ancient Egypt, for plaster and mortar. By the late 1800s, gypsum began to be manufactured as plasterboard, consisting of layers of gypsum pressed between paper.
In 1916 the U.S. Gypsum Company (USG) developed and marketed the first drywall product under the brand name Sheetrock®. Originally, drywall was promoted as a fire-resistant wall covering that could be quickly installed, reducing labour and costs compared to traditional plaster techniques.
Drywall gained popularity during and after WWII, as there was a need for rapid, cost-effective housing construction to accommodate returning soldiers and their families. Its ease of installation and reduced labour costs made it a preferred material for builders.
By the 1960s, drywall had become the standard wall construction in residential and commercial buildings across North America. Innovations like tapered edges and improved joint compounds made drywall easier to finish, further increasing its appeal.
Since the 1990s, modern developments have led to specialist drywall products such as moisture-resistant, mould-resistant, and soundproofing.
Today, the increased focus on sustainability in the construction industry has prompted manufacturers to look at reducing the environmental impact of drywall production and disposal.
We’re excited to be at the forefront of innovation in building boards with the invention of our ground-breaking, superior, carbon-negative EnviraBoards. This new product, which is poised to shake up the sector, utilises secondary paper sludge waste (that would usually end up in incineration or landfill) as the raw material.
EnviraBoards not only solve a costly waste disposal challenge in the paper production industry but also offers a completely circular solution to building boards in the domestic and commercial construction trade – with superior performance, environmentally safe, and vitally, cost competitive.
