All Things Gypsum

Flooded Drywall: Inspection and Replacement Best Practices

bfishel@gypsum.org (Brooke Fishel) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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

Selecting GA-600 Assemblies: A Practical Guide to STC Targets and Sound Control Tradeoffs

bfishel@gypsum.org (Brooke Fishel) — Sun, 01 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500

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 Recycling: Opportunities and Challenges in a Circular Economy

bfishel@gypsum.org (Brooke Fishel) — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0500

While recycling gypsum drywall can significantly reduce landfill waste practical barriers make large-scale circular recycling complex, requiring coordinated efforts across manufacturers, contractors, recyclers, and policymakers to develop sustainable, localized solutions.

Adapting GA-600 Wall Systems for Larger Stud Sizes

bfishel@gypsum.org (Brooke Fishel) — Fri, 31 Oct 2025 11:35:00 -0400

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.

Natural vs. Synthetic Gypsum: What’s the Real Difference?

bfishel@gypsum.org (Brooke Fishel) — Sun, 05 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0400

A closer look at performance, purity, and handling differences between geological and industrial gypsum sources.

How to Specify Abuse-Resistant Panels vs. Impact-Resistant Panels

bfishel@gypsum.org (Brooke Fishel) — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0400

When should I specify abuse-resistant panels versus impact-resistant panels in a building project?

Fasteners That Fire-Tested Systems Rely On: Getting It Right with GA-600 and GA-216

bfishel@gypsum.org (Brooke Fishel) — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 10:30:00 -0400

In a fire-resistive gypsum panel assembly, the fasteners you use matter just as much as the panels and framing. A single misstep—selecting the wrong type, size, or spacing—can jeopardize fire ratings and code compliance. This article walks you through how to use GA-600 to identify the correct fastener and GA-216 to confirm its proper application, ensuring every screw, nail, or staple upholds the integrity and safety of your tested system.

Can You Add Resilient Channels to Any GA-600 Listed Floor-Ceiling or Wall System?

bfishel@gypsum.org (Brooke Fishel) — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 09:30:00 -0400

GA Corner

bfishel@gypsum.org (Brooke Fishel) — Tue, 27 May 2025 00:10:00 -0400

Using Different Manufacturers’ Products in a Proprietary System

GA Corner

bfishel@gypsum.org (Brooke Fishel) — Sat, 26 Apr 2025 10:39:00 -0400

Interior Paper-faced Gypsum Board in Exterior Applications

Drywall Isn’t Dry at All

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0400

What is going on in the green building movement and its initiatives?

Staggering Joints

bfishel@gypsum.org (Brooke Fishel) — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 13:35:00 -0400

Staggering Joints

How to Make Sustainability a Priority

bfishel@gypsum.org (Brooke Fishel) — Wed, 26 Feb 2025 02:37:00 -0500

Fire Damage Recommendations

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 10:50:00 -0500

For fire-rated assemblies, any assembly directly exposed to the fire should be rebuilt.

All Things Gypsum: Wildland Code

Tue, 12 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0500

What is the International Wildland Urban Interface Code and why should it matter to me?

All Things Gypsum: Firewalls

Tue, 01 Oct 2024 12:00:00 -0400

There is a lot of confusion in the field over area-separation firewalls and utility placement. I know that the GA has a position statement that clarifies criteria for the placement of utilities in the flanking walls on either side of a two-hour, steel H-stud, gypsum shaftliner panel area-separation wall.

All Things Gypsum: Language

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 08:00:00 -0400

For many years, the Gypsum Association has published several technical documents in Spanish, as well as English. Are there plans to introduce Spanish-language offerings to the GA’s YouTube channel?

All Things Gypsum: Testing

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 13:00:00 -0400

In a recent build, we used several designs found in GA-600 (Fire Resistance and Sound Control Design Manual). We selected designs shown to have STC ratings of 50 to 54.

GA Revises Code Referenced Fire and Sound Manual, Application and Finishing Guidance Document

Tue, 13 Aug 2024 08:00:00 -0400

In its continual endeavors to keep its industry documents up to date, the association reviews the latest.

All Things Gypsum: Tile

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 16:00:00 -0400

This summer, I am undertaking a total bathroom remodel. I’m planning to tile the walls around the vanity and toilet, as well as those surrounding the shower. Mold has been a persistent problem in this room.

Glass Mat Gypsum Sheathing in Residential Construction: A High-Performance, Code-Compliant Alternative to Traditional Materials

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Glass mat gypsum sheathing is common for commercial uses but rarer in residential construction

All Things Gypsum: Fireproofing

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 12:00:00 -0500

What is the difference between fire resistance ratings and flame-spread ratings? Can they be used interchangeably?

Recent FAQs

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0500

The Gypsum Association answers common questions.

All Things Gypsum: Fasteners

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0500

I often see gypsum board installed using a combination of nails and screws, and I’ve always assumed this practice is acceptable. However, one of my superiors recently questioned the practice. Is combining nails and screws acceptable?

Pivot to Video

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0400

BEHIND THE SCENES WITH GA’s VIDEO MAKER.

Recycling Gypsum

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 17:00:00 -0400

Gypsum board recycling in the country: Who, what, where and how.

All Things Gypsum: Acoustics

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 16:00:00 -0500

What impact does insulation have on acoustic performance of a wall assembly?

Drywall Finishing Consideration in Modular Building

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Modular building concepts—also known as off-site construction—have been utilized for decades. However, the use of pre-fabrication and modular building techniques is increasingly common now.

Gypsum Association Tutorials: An Additional Resource for Code-Compliant Construction

Wed, 29 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Throughout my first year on the job at GA, I realized the importance of industry standards as a mean of ensuring people receive quality solutions as well as quality products.

GA to Update All Code-Reference Documents in 2021

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -0400

Every three years, in alignment with the building code cycle, the Gypsum Association issues new editions of the Association’s three code-referenced publications: GA-600 Fire Resistance and Sound Control Design Manual, GA-216 Application and Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products, and GA-253 Application of Gypsum Sheathing.