Main Characteristics of Gypsum Board: Size and Weight of the Sheet

Types of Gypsum Board

Photo 1 — Gypsum Board is a finishing and protective sheet material consisting of three layers

The composition of gypsum board determines its varieties and properties

Gypsum Board (GOST 6266-97) is divided into the following types:

• Standard Gypsum Board - GKL does not contain additives. The material color is gray (rarely blue). GKL is intended for work in rooms where humidity levels do not exceed 70%: used when working on interior partitions, decorative and sound-absorbing structures, suspended ceilings (a special type of gypsum board is distinguished - ceiling).

• Moisture-Resistant Gypsum Board - GKLV with hydrophobic and fungicidal additives, making it suitable for work in humid rooms. The material color is green. GKLV can be used to clad walls and ceilings in kitchens, bathrooms, toilets, used as a base for floors and to clad window sills.

Photo 2 — Arched Gypsum Board is a flexible sheet that allows constructing structures of almost any shape

IMPORTANT! The water-repelling properties of this material are enhanced by impregnated cardboard, however, waterproofing of GKLV is mandatory: sheets should be covered with tiles or water-repelling paint.

• Fire-Resistant Gypsum Board - GKLO. The color is red. GKLO contains a special reinforcing additive - glass fiber, which increases the fire resistance of gypsum board and prevents the possibility of combustion of this material. GKLO can be used as passive fire protection. GKLO is used in objects with strict fire safety requirements, as well as in places of mass gathering of people (shopping and entertainment centers, train stations, stadiums).

• Moisture-Resistant Gypsum Board with Increased Resistance to Open Flame - GKLVO. Today, only a few manufacturers produce this type of material (e.g., KNAUF).

IMPORTANT! Some people confuse the concepts, attributing to the material (in this case, gypsum board) "fire resistance limit," although this concept can only be applied to a structure. When referring to material, it is more correct to use the concept of "fire resistance class." The fire resistance class can be found not only in fire-resistant gypsum board but also in any other type. For example, GKL corresponds to fire resistance class G1.

Sheet Size of Gypsum Board

A standard sheet of gypsum board is rectangular in shape and is manufactured in the following sizes:

• lengths from 2,000 to 4,000 mm;
• widths from 600 to 1,200 mm;
• thicknesses from 6.5 to 12.5 mm.

The standard size of gypsum board is determined by its area of application: for example, arched gypsum board has dimensions 1,200/2,500/6 mm or 1,200/3,000/6 mm. The small thickness makes it more flexible, whereas for moisture-resistant gypsum board, strength is important, so these sheets are not produced thinner than 9.5 mm.

Thickness of Gypsum Board

The thickness of gypsum board used in residential construction, as stated above, ranges from 6.5 mm to 12.5 mm. The sheet thickness varies depending on the purpose of the material.

For example, a minimum thickness of 6.5 mm is used only in arched gypsum board sheets to improve the flexibility of the sheet.

Wall gypsum board has a thickness of 12.5 mm, ceiling gypsum board is 9.5 mm (sometimes 12.5 mm with mandatory increase in the frequency of profile installation), moisture-resistant gypsum board and GKLO are 12.5 mm.

Photo 3 — For ceiling structures, gypsum board with a thickness of 12.5 mm is often used

Width of Gypsum Board

The standard width of gypsum board is 1,200 mm, with rare exceptions in sales you can find gypsum boards of smaller width.

Weight of Gypsum Board Sheet

• weight of 1 m² of gypsum board with a thickness of 6.5 mm - about 5 kg;
• weight of 1 m² of gypsum board with a thickness of 9.5 mm - about 7.5 kg;
• weight of 1 m² of gypsum board with a thickness of 12.5 mm - about 9.5 kg.

How Much Does Gypsum Board Weigh According to GOST

According to GOST, the weight of 1 m² of gypsum board is

• standard and moisture-resistant - no more than 1 kg per millimeter of sheet thickness;
• fire-resistant and fire-hydrophobic - from 0.8 to 1.06 kg per millimeter of sheet thickness.

Photo 4 — Weight of Gypsum Board (most common sheet parameters)

types of gypsum board

sheet size

weight of sheet per 1 m²

GKL

1,200/2,500-4,000/9.5 mm

9.5 kg

1,200/2,500-4,000/12.5 mm

12.5 kg

1,200/2,500-4,000/15 mm

15 kg

600/2,000-3,500/9.5 mm

18 kg

GKLV

1,200/2,500-4,000/9.5 mm

8-10 kg

1,200/2,500-4,000/12.5 mm

12 kg

1,200/2,500-4,000/15 mm

15 kg

GKLO

1,200/2,500-4,000/12.5 mm

10-13 kg

1,200/2,500-4,000/15 mm

13-16 kg

GKLVO

1,200/2,500-4,000/12.5 mm

10-13 kg

1,200/2,500-4,000/15 mm

13-16 kg

Now you know how much a sheet of gypsum board weighs and can calculate your capabilities for installation work and the load-bearing capacity of the structure you are building.

Gypsum Board: Characteristics (Physical and Mechanical)

The specific weight or density of the material determines its weight per unit volume. Knowing the specific weight of gypsum board, you can calculate the weight of the installed structure and thus correctly calculate the necessary fastening elements.

• The specific weight of gypsum board is approximately 1,200-1,500 kg/m³.

• The volumetric weight, knowing the specific weight of the material used, can be determined by the formula:

weight (kg) = sheet thickness (mm)*1.35,

where 1.35 is a constant average density of gypsum.

• The thermal conductivity of gypsum board ranges from 0.22 to 0.35 W/mK (the lower this indicator, the better the thermal insulator).

• The material's bending strength at a sheet thickness up to 10 mm is 15 kg, for sheets from 10 to 18 mm - 18 kg. This characteristic shows what weight a sheet of gypsum board can withstand without damage (with higher values, the material cracks).

In addition to gypsum board, it is important to know the parameters of the frame and its components.

Load-bearing, Stud, and Guide Profiles for Gypsum Board: Sizes

Depending on the type of structure, the following may be used for installing gypsum board:

• CD 60 profiles, UD 27 (ceiling and wall structures, load-bearing profile);

Photo 5 — CD 60, UD 27 Profiles (Ceiling and Wall Structures, Load-bearing Profile)

• CD 47 (ceiling and wall structures, load-bearing profile);
• UD 47 (ceiling and wall structures, guide profile);
• CW profiles (partition structures, stud profile);
• UW profiles (partition structures, guide profile).

Photo 6 — CW Profile (Partition Structures, Stud Profile)

Gypsum Board Hanger (Size, Types)

A direct hanger is used to mount CD (PP) 60/27 profiles to a load-bearing base, which allows minimizing the distance between suspended and load-bearing ceiling structures.

Photo 7 — Direct Hanger for CD Profile 60/125

A hanger with a clip for CD profile is used to mount the frame of a suspended ceiling made from CD 60/27 profiles to a load-bearing base. The anchoring hanger's load capacity with a pull is 25 kg.

Photo 8 — Hanger with Clip for CD Profile

Accordingly, other frame elements (such as screws and anchors) are selected based on the structure being built.

Cost of a Gypsum Board Sheet

Below is the price list for brands of gypsum board (GKL, GKLV, GKLO and others) from various manufacturers.

Gypsum Board: Price/Dimensions

Arched;

• KNAUF (1,200/3,000/6 mm) - $15 per sheet;

GKL;

• WOLMA (1,200/2,000/9.5 mm) - $5.5 per sheet;
• Lafarge (1,200/3,000/12.5 mm) - $8.2 per sheet;

Ceiling;

• Rigips (1,200/2,000/9.5 mm) - $5.2 per sheet;
• KNAUF (1,200/2,500/9.5 mm) - $7 per sheet;

Wall;

• KNAUF (1,200/3,000/12.5 mm) - $8.9 per sheet;

GKLV;

• Lafarge (1,200/2,500/9.5 mm) - $8.3 per sheet;
• KNAUF (1,200/2,000/12.5 mm) - $7.8 per sheet;
• Rigips (1,200/2,500/12.5 mm) - $9.1 per sheet;
• WOLMA (1,200/2,500/12.5 mm) - $9.6 per sheet;

GKLO;

• KNAUF (1,200/2,500/12.5 mm) - $8.3 per sheet

Cost of a Gypsum Board Sheet in Leroy Merlin

• In Moscow - from 93 rubles;
• In Kiev - from 32 UAH.