Articles by Brooke Fishel

Learn which gypsum panels are code-approved behind tile in wet bath and shower areas.

Gypsum panel clearance rules protect assemblies from moisture, damage and long-term performance risks.

Guidance on assessing water-damaged drywall, when to replace panels, and safe repair practices.

A field-focused overview of how STC ratings are organized in GA-600 and how contractors can filter assemblies by fire rating, acoustic target and constructability to reduce risk and meet performance expectations.

Gypsum panels should be delivered as close to installation as possible and stored indoors in a dry, enclosed, weather-tight area, off the ground on a level platform, with proper support and ventilation, to prevent moisture damage, material loss, and safety hazards.

Even with GA-214-2021 Levels of Finish clearly defined in the drawings, jobsite mock-ups are critical for aligning expectations by showing how finishes actually look under real lighting, decoration, and viewing conditions—and for protecting contractors once work is approved.

Type C gypsum board is a higher-performance, proprietary version of type X designed for superior fire resistance, so type X generally cannot be substituted when type C is specifically required.

The GA-600-2024 manual confirms that substituting larger studs—such as 2x6 in place of 2x4—does not affect a wall system’s fire rating, provided all other system details remain consistent, though designers should review potential acoustic impacts.