If you’ve ever run a renovation in an occupied space, you’ve probably thrown up temporary drywall to split work from “business as usual.” It’s familiar. It’s also single-use, labor-hungry, and—once the dust settles—headed straight for the dumpster.
So, what is temporary drywall?
It’s the default, build-and-trash way to isolate active work areas: frame, hang, mud, sand, paint…then demo and haul away. That repetition eats nights/weekends and budgets—every single phase.
Why is it still used?
Habit. Crews know it, GCs have it in templates, and it feels cheap up front. But the hidden costs—extra materials each install, off-hours labor, disposal fees, and rework—add up fast across multi-phase projects.
A modern alternative that doesn’t slow you down
Reusable wall systems from STARC set up in hours, not days, and get reused across dozens of projects. There’s no drywall dust, no repainting, no landfill run at the end. Installing 100′ in about an hour is standard in the field, which keeps phases moving and teams focused on actual scope.
Performance that beats ‘good enough’
- Look & acoustics — RealWall™
RealWall delivers the appearance and stability of a finished wall, reducing renovation noise by up to 50%. It’s ideal for hospitals, airports, and offices where maintaining a polished, professional environment matters as much as performance. - Lightweight flexibility — LiteBarrier™
When jobs move fast and budgets are tight, LiteBarrier offers quick setup and code-compliant containment. It’s the easy-to-handle solution for short-term or low-risk projects that still demand professional results and airtight dust control. - Safety & compliance — FireblockWall™
FireblockWall is the first reusable, one-hour fire-rated temporary wall system—up to 4× faster to install than drywall—and it meets ASTM E119, ASTM E84, NFPA 241, and IBC requirements. It also exceeds ICRA Class IV/V guidelines, giving facilities peace of mind that safety never takes a back seat. - Modular efficiency — StackBarrier™
StackBarrier combines modular flexibility with true reusability. Panels stack and reconfigure to fit evolving jobsite needs, maximizing ROI across multiple projects while minimizing waste and downtime. It’s built for contractors who need speed today—and adaptability tomorrow.
Bottom line
Temporary drywall still shows up out of habit. But when you compare speed, reusability, and the real costs of build-and-trash, it’s clear: reusable walls undisrupt budgets, timelines, and tenant experiences.
Ready to stop building the same wall twice? Discover how our full lineup of temporary construction walls offers a solution for any situation.