Decoding the Gypsum Board Rate in the UAE
Before you dive into your project, it's important to understand that there's no single, fixed "gypsum board rate." It's more like a price spectrum. The final cost you'll see on an invoice is shaped by the board's specific type, its thickness, the brand you choose, and of course, your supplier.
Ultimately, your project’s specific needs dictate the final price you pay.
A Practical Guide to Gypsum Board Rates in the UAE
When you're putting together a budget for any construction or renovation job in the UAE, the cost of gypsum board is always a major line item. The market here is buzzing, driven by a construction sector that never seems to slow down.
To give you an idea of the scale we're talking about, the UAE's gypsum board market was valued at approximately USD 443.4 million in 2023. It’s expected to more than double by 2030, which really shows how essential this material is to the region's growth. You can explore more about these market trends and see how they influence pricing.
So, what should you actually expect to pay? Let's get into some real-world numbers.
For a clearer picture, here’s a quick reference table showing the typical price ranges for the most common types of 12.5mm gypsum boards you'll find in the UAE market.
| Gypsum Board Type | Typical Price Range (AED per sheet) | Common Project Use |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Gypsum Board | AED 18 – AED 25 | General-purpose walls and ceilings in dry areas. |
| Moisture-Resistant | AED 30 – AED 45 | Bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and damp spaces. |
| Fire-Resistant | AED 35 – AED 50+ | Commercial buildings, corridors, and required fire separations. |
These figures give you a solid baseline for estimating your material costs. They represent what you can expect to pay for the boards themselves.
Just remember, this is only one piece of the puzzle. The total project cost will also have to account for framing, finishing materials like tape and joint compound, and skilled labour. We'll break all of that down later in this guide.
What Really Drives Gypsum Board Prices
Figuring out the final cost of gypsum board isn't as simple as looking at a price list. It's a bit like buying a car—the sticker price for the base model is just a starting point. Once you start adding a bigger engine, better features, or even choosing a premium brand, the cost changes. It’s the same with gypsum board, where three main things shape the final price you pay per sheet.
These factors are the board’s technical specifications, the manufacturer's brand and reputation, and the unavoidable realities of the supply chain. Each one adds another layer to the cost, turning a simple sheet of plasterboard into a fully priced product delivered right to your project site.
Board Specifications And Brand Premiums
The most obvious factor influencing the price is the board itself. A standard 12.5mm board is always going to be the more budget-friendly option compared to a thicker 15mm board, which is designed for higher performance and durability.
Then you have the specialised boards, which sit in their own pricing tier. For instance, a moisture-resistant "green" board is non-negotiable for bathrooms and kitchens, but that extra protection comes at a higher price. We dive deeper into this in our guide to waterproof gypsum board in the UAE.
The brand name also carries a lot of weight. Big international players often have a higher price tag, and you're paying for their reputation, stringent quality control, and history of innovation. At the same time, regional manufacturers have carved out their own space by focusing on specific market needs, creating a really dynamic landscape here in the Middle East.
This infographic gives a great visual breakdown of how different board types are priced according to their specific job.
As you can see, boards engineered for fire resistance or moisture protection are meant for critical applications, which naturally justifies their higher cost.
Supply Chain And Logistical Costs
Finally, don't forget the journey the board takes from the factory floor to your construction site. That entire trip adds to the final cost.
The price a supplier quotes you isn't just for the board itself. It’s the cost of the material plus its entire logistical journey. This covers transport, any import duties, warehousing fees, and the supplier's own operational markup. These aren't really "hidden" costs—they are simply part of the all-in gypsum board rate you receive.
Choosing the Right Board for Your Project
Picking the right gypsum board is one of those make-or-break decisions that impacts your budget and your project's lifespan. It’s not just about chasing the lowest gypsum board rate; it's about making sure the material fits the environment. Fail to do that, and you're setting yourself up for expensive fixes down the line.
Think of it like buying tyres. You wouldn't put standard city tyres on a 4x4 destined for the desert, right? It's the same principle.
For most general areas—think living rooms, bedrooms, hallways—a standard board is your go-to. It’s cost-effective and perfectly fine where moisture and fire risk are low. This is your reliable, everyday workhorse.
But in rooms that have to deal with water and humidity, that standard board just won't cut it.
Matching Board Type to Room Function
Walk into a bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room, and you need a moisture-resistant board. You can usually spot it by its green paper face. Its core and paper are treated to resist moisture, which is your best defence against mould and rot. Yes, it costs a bit more, but it's a non-negotiable investment to protect your walls in damp areas.
Then you have fire safety, which is a whole other level of important. In certain commercial buildings or shared residential spaces, a standard board simply won't meet legal requirements. That’s where fire-resistant gypsum board, or 'Type X', comes in.
Type X board is built differently. It has special glass fibres mixed right into its gypsum core, which gives it extra strength. When exposed to fire, it holds its structure together for much longer, typically offering at least a one-hour fire rating.
Choosing the right board means looking beyond the price tag. You have to consider performance requirements, like meeting specific fire protection standards. Grabbing the wrong board isn't just a mistake; it can be a serious safety and compliance issue. So, when the code demands Type X, its higher rate is a necessary part of the budget—an investment in safety that you can't afford to skip.
How Board Thickness and Size Affect Your Budget
Beyond the specialised type of board, the two biggest physical factors driving the gypsum board rate are its thickness and its size. It’s a lot like buying fabric for a suit; a bigger sheet of a thicker, more durable material is always going to cost more. The same logic holds true for plasterboard.
In the UAE, you’ll most commonly see boards in 9.5 mm, 12.5 mm, and 15 mm thicknesses. As you go up in thickness, the price climbs, but so do the benefits—namely, durability and better sound insulation.
Comparing the Cost Impact of Board Thickness
To understand how these options stack up, it helps to see them side-by-side. The standard 12.5 mm board is the baseline for most projects, offering a great mix of performance and value.
| Thickness (mm) | Best For | Relative Cost Index (Standard = 100) |
|---|---|---|
| 9.5 mm | Curved walls, multi-layer systems, ceiling overlays | 85 - 90 |
| 12.5 mm | Standard walls and ceilings (residential/commercial) | 100 |
| 15 mm | High-traffic areas, acoustic partitions, fire-rated walls | 115 - 125 |
As the table shows, opting for a thicker 15 mm board is an investment. You pay more upfront, but you get a wall that can handle more abuse and keep things quieter.
The key takeaway? Don't think of thickness as just a number. It's a direct measure of performance. Choosing a thicker board isn't an extra cost—it's an upgrade in strength, acoustic comfort, and the long-term integrity of your space.
Sheet size matters, too. While there are standard dimensions that are easy to find, using larger boards can dramatically speed up installation on big, open walls. The trade-off is that they are tougher to transport and handle on-site. To make sure you’re buying smart and keeping waste to a minimum, it pays to learn about standard gypsum board sizes and where each one fits best.
Budgeting for Costs Beyond the Board
Thinking you've budgeted for a new wall just by looking at the per-sheet price of gypsum board is a classic rookie mistake. It’s a bit like planning a road trip and only budgeting for the fuel—you've completely forgotten about the car, the tyres, and the driver. The board itself is just the beginning of the story.
First, your gypsum boards need a skeleton to hang on. This framing system, usually built from galvanised steel studs and tracks, is the first major cost you need to add to your tally. Without this structure, you just have a stack of boards with nowhere to go.
Then you have the finishing, a multi-step process that turns a collection of panels into a single, seamless surface ready for paint.
Essential Installation Materials
Beyond the metal frame, a handful of other materials are absolutely critical. Forgetting these is a common trip-up that can throw your entire budget off course. Your shopping list must include:
- Fasteners: You'll need specialised drywall screws designed specifically to bite into the metal framing and hold the boards securely.
- Jointing Tape: This is either paper or fibreglass mesh tape. It’s applied over every seam where two boards meet, acting as a reinforcement to stop cracks from showing up later.
- Jointing Compound: Think of this as a plaster-like mud. It’s smoothed over the tape in multiple thin layers to hide the joints completely, leaving you with a perfectly flat surface.
The reality is, all these extra bits—the framing, screws, tape, and compound—can easily add another 20-30% on top of your initial material budget. Factoring this in from day one is the secret to avoiding nasty financial surprises down the line.
Finally, you have what is often the biggest variable: labour. The cost of hiring a professional crew to put up the framing, hang the boards, and meticulously finish the joints can sometimes match or even be more than the cost of all the materials combined. Rates will swing depending on how complex the job is, where you are in the UAE, and the skill level of the contractor you hire.
Getting smart with your budget means looking beyond the board price. Exploring strategies to reduce freight costs can make a real dent in your total spend, especially when you're ordering in bulk. To see how all these pieces fit together, take a look at our complete guide to gypsum board price factors.
Getting an Accurate Quote from UAE Suppliers
Getting a reliable quote is the first real step to keeping your construction budget in check. If you just ask a supplier for their "best gypsum board rate," you'll get a number, but it won't be a price you can actually bank on. To get a quote that truly reflects your final costs, you need to be specific.
Think of it like getting a suit made. You wouldn't just tell the tailor you're a "medium" and hope for the best. You'd give them precise measurements for a perfect fit. The same logic applies when you're sourcing building materials.
This need for precision isn't just a local trend; it's a regional reality. Look at Egypt, where the construction sector made up 6.8% of the GDP in 2023. That kind of massive growth is fuelled by infrastructure projects where accurate material planning is absolutely essential. You can discover more insights about the MEA gypsum market here.
Your Quotation Checklist
To get a truly comparable, apples-to-apples quote from any supplier in the UAE, you need to come prepared. Have these details ready before you even pick up the phone or send that first email:
- Specific Board Type: Don't just say "gypsum board." State clearly if you need standard, moisture-resistant, or fire-resistant boards.
- Board Thickness: Specify the exact thickness your project requires, whether it's 12.5 mm, 15 mm, or something else.
- Total Quantity: Give them a solid number. This could be the total number of boards or the complete area you need to cover in square metres.
- Delivery Location: Provide the full, exact delivery address. Transportation is a significant part of the final cost, so this is non-negotiable.
A detailed request for a quote does more than just get you an accurate gypsum board rate. It signals to the supplier that you're a professional who knows what they're doing. Taking this extra step often leads to better service and, ultimately, more competitive pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you're deep in the planning stages of a construction project, questions about cost are bound to come up. To give you a clearer picture, we’ve put together answers to some of the most common queries we get about gypsum board rates and installation here in the UAE.
What Is the Average Gypsum Board Rate Per Square Metre in Dubai?
While prices are always shifting with the market, you can work with a solid baseline for your initial budget. For a standard 12.5mm gypsum board, you’re typically looking at a material-only cost between AED 15 to AED 25 per square metre.
If your project requires something more specialised, like a moisture-resistant or fire-resistant board, the price will naturally be higher. For these, it's wise to budget somewhere between AED 25 to AED 45 per square metre. Just remember, this is purely for the board itself—it doesn’t factor in labour, framing, or finishing materials like jointing compound and tape.
Is It Cheaper to Buy from a Large Supplier or a Local Shop?
Honestly, it really depends on the size and scope of your project. There's no single right answer.
For bigger jobs—think large-scale construction or a complete villa renovation—a major supplier will almost always give you a better price per sheet. They buy in such massive volumes that they can offer savings you won't find elsewhere.
But for smaller projects, a quick repair, or when you just need a couple of boards, your local hardware shop is often the smarter choice. The price per sheet might be a little higher, but you'll save on delivery fees and gain a ton of convenience. The best approach? Get quotes from both to see the true final cost for what you need.
Pro Tip: When you're comparing quotes, don't just look at the gypsum board rate. Always ask about delivery charges, their return policy, and whether they have everything in stock. That’s how you’ll find the real value.
How Much Does Gypsum Board Installation Labour Cost in the UAE?
Labour is a huge part of the overall cost, and the rate can change a lot based on how complex the job is and where you're located. As a general rule of thumb, expect professional installation to cost between AED 25 and AED 50 per square metre.
This rate usually covers the entire installation process from start to finish:
- Assembling the metal stud framing.
- Hanging the gypsum boards properly.
- The first round of taping and applying the jointing compound.
Of course, if your project has complex designs—like curved walls, detailed archways, or multi-level ceilings—the labour cost will creep towards the higher end of that range. It simply takes more skill, time, and precision to get those details right.
For everything your project demands, from top-quality gypsum boards to the essential tools and safety gear for the job, you can count on Yasu Trading Co. LLC. We offer competitive rates and dependable delivery across the UAE. Get a fast and accurate quote for your project today.