What material is primarily used to construct plaster and wallboards?

The primary material used to construct plaster and wallboards is gypsum. Gypsum is a naturally occurring mineral that is soft and can be easily processed into a powder. When mixed with water, it can be formed into a paste that sets quickly and hardens to create a solid surface, which is ideal for finishing interior walls and ceilings.

In wallboard, commonly referred to as drywall or gypsum board, sheets of gypsum are sandwiched between layers of thick paper, making it lightweight and easy to handle. This composition provides fire resistance and sound insulation, making gypsum-based products advantageous for building construction.

The other materials mentioned, such as concrete, wood, and fiberglass, are used in various construction applications but do not have the same properties as gypsum when it comes to wall and plaster construction. Concrete is primarily used for foundations and structural elements, wood is often utilized in framing and other structural components, and fiberglass is usually found in insulation or specialized panels, rather than for the primary composition of wall finishes. Thus, gypsum's unique characteristics make it the ideal choice for plaster and wallboard.