Drywall construction

Drywall construction (known in Switzerland mostly as «Rigips») is the building of non-load-bearing walls, ceilings and cladding from gypsum boards that are screwed onto a supporting frame of metal or timber profiles. Unlike masonry work it uses almost no water or mortar, so the structure is assembled «dry» and can be used quickly.

Updated 2026-10-11

Drywall construction: Handwerk & Bau – CityHero glossary graphic

What is Drywall construction?

Drywall construction refers to interior fit-out using prefabricated gypsum boards – in everyday Swiss language often simply called «Rigips» after the well-known brand. Instead of laying stone by stone, a frame of thin metal profiles (or timber battens) is built and then clad with boards on both sides. Where needed, insulation, electrical and water pipes and sound protection go into the resulting cavity. The result is a light, flexible wall or suspended ceiling that can be altered again later if necessary.

The process follows clear steps: measuring and marking out, fixing the frame to floor, ceiling and walls, inserting services and insulation, then screwing on and cutting the boards. After that the joints and screw heads are filled, sanded and prepared for paint, wallpaper or tiles. Depending on the requirement, special boards are used – for example impregnated ones for wet rooms or fire-protection boards.

Drywall is needed during conversions and renovations: new room layouts, finishing an attic or cellar, suspended ceilings for spotlights and cabling, or an extra sound-proofing wall towards the neighbouring flat. Look out for cleanly filled joints without cracks, the right board type for the room (moisture, fire protection, sound) and a properly built substructure. Common mistakes are profile spacings that are too wide, a missing vapour barrier and poorly sanded transitions that later show through the paint.

Example: Drywall construction in practice

A family in Winterthur is converting their large main bedroom into two children's rooms. A drywall specialist builds a new Rigips partition wall with a metal frame and mineral-wool insulation so the rooms are acoustically separated. Within two days the wall is up, complete with sockets and light switches; after filling and sanding it can be painted straight away – without the drying-out time you would need with masonry.

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Frequently asked

What does drywall construction cost in Switzerland?

A flat price cannot seriously be given, because the cost depends heavily on the area, the type of board (standard, wet-room, fire protection), the insulation and the effort for services and filling. Anyone planning cabling, sound protection or suspended ceilings should expect more work than for a simple partition wall. It is best to obtain several written quotes with per-square-metre items so you can compare prices.

How much weight can a Rigips wall hold – will heavy shelves or a TV stay up?

In principle yes, but not with ordinary plugs in the bare board. Heavy loads such as wall units, shelves or a TV mount need suitable cavity fixings or – better – reinforcement built into the frame (a cross-member or timber insert) exactly where the load will hang. Tell the tradesperson in advance where something heavy will go, so the substructure can be planned accordingly.

Is drywall suitable for wet and damp rooms such as the bathroom?

Yes, provided the right materials are used. In bathrooms and kitchens, impregnated wet-room boards are used, with additional waterproofing under the tiles in splash zones. For permanently wet areas such as the shower, cement-bonded boards are more suitable than classic gypsum boards. Proper waterproofing is essential so that no moisture gets into the structure.

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