Drywall -- also known as wallboard or sheetrock -- Is one of the most often-used construction materials in a house or building. It is essentially what a building's walls are made out of once you've built the basic frame. Despite its prevalence, there are several alternatives to building with drywall should you decide you no longer wish your walls to be made from the sheetrock material. The typical reason you may want to use an alternative material is that drywall is a fairly fragile material, easily broken or dented.
Plywood
Plywood is of comparable thickness to drywall and is typically far more sturdy than the gypsum-based sheetrock, but it also is slightly harder to paint over and is not as attractive once finished up. The plywood pattern may show through the paint, and there will be more work and money involved, as plywood is typically more expensive and harder to work with than the standard drywall sheets.
Veneer Plaster
Plaster veneer is a mixture of elements that winds up as a paste which you then apply to "blue board," which is a drywall-like board placed onto the wall studs. Plaster hardens extremely fast and provides a hard surface coating over the blue board, giving your walls more strength and stability than a standard sheetrock panel might.
Wood Paneling
Wood paneling was quite popular in the '60s and '70s but has since fallen into some disfavor. It is still very much available, however, and provides a decent alternative to drywall if you decide you want a more "rustic" look in your house. Wood paneling is typically not painted over when it is installed.
Cement Board
Cement board is not typically used in house construction outside of bathrooms or showers due to its weight and cost, but can provide an excellent alternative to drywall in certain situations. The cement board is made out of actual concrete and wire mesh and is extremely tough, as well as water-resistant. Its heavy construction makes it ideal for tiling jobs, as the strong boards can bear the weight of the tile without collapsing or giving way.
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