What is the Difference between Plaster, Sheetrock, Gypsum and Lime
There are lots of building materials that we use to build and decorate our homes, offices and other commercial type infrastructures. Almost all building materials are found naturally. Some of building material that we prepare artificially have their origin and base also natural. Some of these building materials are used for construction and some are used to strengthen as well as to decorate the buildings. Some very commonly using building material are plaster, sheetrock, gypsum and lime. Here is the difference between Plaster, Sheetrock, Gypsum and Lime.
Plaster
Like cement and mortar, plaster is also a famous building material that is used to coat the ceilings and walls of a building with a decorative layer. In fact, the method of applying plaster on walls is same as of cement, but it remains soft for a long time even after applying on walls. This is the reason that it becomes easier to make designs on the coating layer of plaster. In terms of strength, it is also a good load-bearing material. There are three common types of plaster which are Lime Plaster, Gypsum Plaster or Plaster of Paris and Cement plaster.
Sheetrock
Sheetrock is a trade name of plasterboard or wall board. In fact, Shhetrock is a specific name for plaster boards that are available in the market in the form of panels or sheets. More commonly, fire-resistant gypsum boards are called Sheetrocks.
Gypsum
Gypsum is naturally occurring mineral that is widely used in construction as plaster board due to its excellent load-bearing capacity. Gypsum contains sulfate ion with chemical name calcium sulfate dehydrate, this chemical composition make it very suitable fertilizer for agricultural land. By heating the gypsum up to 300 degree Fahrenheit, we can make plaster of Paris that is also a famous building material. The use of gypsum in dentistry and modeling is also very common.
Lime
Lime in pure form has been just calcium based inorganic material that could be calcium hydro oxide or calcium oxide. However, the mixture of calcium hydro oxide and sand is called lime plaster that is famous building material as well. Lime plaster takes much longer time to settle and harden, so it is easy to ,make designs and add pigments in lime plaster.
Plaster vs Sheetrock vs Gypsum vs Lime
No doubt, we use the word plaster as a coating material for our walls and ceilings. However, simply saying plaster is not enough as well as correct. The reason is that, the plaster would be either gypsum plaster or it would be lime plaster. Cement plaster is also a type of plaster. People choose gypsum or lime plaster by considering their specific need and the property of a material. On the other hand, Shhetrock is just the brand name of fire-retardant gypsum panels or sheets that is used to apply coating layers on already constructed buildings.