Why even decide — both solutions are full-value
Drywall long faced a reputation as a "provisional" solution which it did not deserve — modern drywall structures with mineral wool and double-clad sheathing today match brick partitions in both acoustics and load. The choice between drywall and classic masonry is no longer a quality question, but a question of specific brief: how much time do you have, what acoustic insulation do you need, do many services pass through it, and what weight do you want to hang on the partition.
In this article we have tried to objectively compare both approaches from the perspective we encounter most often in regular Prague renovations. Neither material is "better" — they are just suitable for different situations.
Price — drywall is usually cheaper, but not always
On average, a drywall partition in Prague in 2026 is about 15–25 % cheaper than a brick partition of the same length and height. A standard single drywall partition 100 mm thick costs about 1,200–1,600 CZK/m² including labour, material and insulation. A brick partition from aerated concrete blocks 100 mm with plaster costs about 1,500–2,000 CZK/m².
The difference disappears as soon as you need a higher standard — double cladding, fire resistance or enhanced acoustics. An acoustic drywall partition with Rw 50 dB parameter can match brick in cost in the same situation, because it requires different sheets and different mounting.
Speed and comfort during construction
Here drywall clearly wins. A 5-metre partition in a family house is built in drywall in a day, plastered with glass-cement skim the next day, and on the third day you can already paint. The same brick partition we build in two days, after construction it must cure for a week, then plaster comes in, and we are talking about roughly two weeks before painting is possible.
In an occupied apartment or house this is usually the decisive factor. Drywall produces significantly less dust (no rounded corner chipping, no plaster throwing) and less debris. For a client living in the apartment, this saving of time and environment is often more important than a small price difference.
Acoustics — most often discussed parameter
Acoustics is an area where laypeople often underestimate drywall and overestimate brick. The truth is that a regular brick partition 100 mm without insulation has airborne sound insulation of about 35–40 dB, while a properly executed drywall partition with mineral wool and double cladding reaches 45–55 dB. For comparison: the difference between 40 and 50 dB is in human perception almost "half as quiet".
If you therefore need to separate the bedroom from the living room with home cinema, or a child room in a family house, drywall with good insulation and decoupled profiles will probably be better. The key is the execution — an acoustic partition is technically demanding and poor installation kills its parameters.
Services, installations and hanging things
In a drywall partition, services are pulled significantly faster and cleaner — the electrician just gets notified in time to pull cables before the second side of the sheet is closed. No channelling, no dust. Plumbing services similarly pass through drywall more easily than through brick.
The weaker side of drywall is hanging heavy things. A standard plug for drywall holds 25–35 kg, on expansion anchors you can reach 50 kg, but a cabinet weighing 80 kg already requires preparation (reinforcement in the hanging axis) at partition construction. On a brick partition you can hang practically anything any time — that is its most distinctive practical advantage.
When we recommend brick and when drywall
We recommend a brick partition mainly when: the partition will have a heavy kitchen unit, fridge or massive bookshelf anchored on it; it has a load-bearing or structural role; the client prefers traditional solutions and has time; or the partition becomes part of more complex shapes and arches that are easier in masonry.
Drywall is preferred when: the apartment is inhabited and construction noise should be minimal; many services run through it; you need to achieve a specific acoustic parameter; or you anticipate future flexibility (a drywall partition can be moved relatively easily in the future).
Conclusion — both technologies we can deliver
Our company delivers both variants and in every project we try to advise the client based on the specific brief, not based on what is easier for us to build. If you are wavering between a drywall and a brick partition, get in touch with us — we will discuss the situation and recommend a solution that makes sense in the given space.