drywork

Drywork, or dry work, is a term used in construction to describe tasks that rely on dry materials and processes rather than wet trades. It covers interior finishing and partitioning built from non-moist components, such as gypsum board (drywall), timber or metal studs, ceiling grids, and other prefabricated panels. Drywork aims to create usable spaces with minimal on-site moisture and rapid installation, contrasting with wet trades like plastering, masonry, tiling with mortar, or concrete work that require curing time.

Common drywork activities include framing interior partitions, installing drywall or plasterboard, hanging ceilings, placing insulation boards, and applying finishing elements such as joint compounds, tapes, corner beads, and decorative linings. The method is widely used in both residential and commercial construction, renovations, and fit-out projects, often enabling faster schedules and easier refurbishment.

Benefits include reduced moisture risk on site, shorter construction time, cleaner workspaces, and increased reuse or modification potential. Limitations include reduced suitability for exterior or heavily damp environments, dependence on proper moisture barriers and fire-rated assemblies, and the need for skilled finishing to achieve sound, fire, and thermal performance.

In practice, drywork is part of dry construction methods and is frequently integrated with mechanical, electrical, and plumbing services through closed partitions and service risers. Safety standards and building codes govern materials, installation methods, and compatibility with other trades.

See also: drywall, plasterboard, dry construction, wet trades, interior fit-out.