What fire resistance advantages do Gypsum board ceilings provide compared to metal ceilings?

Gypsum board ceilings provide inherent fire-resistive properties that make them a favored option in many Saudi Arabia residential and commercial projects — from Riyadh high-rises to hospitality properties in Jeddah and Mecca. The core of gypsum contains chemically combined water (crystallized gypsum), which releases steam when exposed to high temperatures and slows heat transfer. This endothermic reaction gives Gypsum board ceilings predictable, time-tested performance in fire scenarios, helping to maintain compartmentation and protect structural elements longer than uninsulated metal ceilings, which conduct heat more rapidly. While metal ceilings can be part of a fire-rated assembly when paired with appropriate insulation and barriers, Gypsum board ceilings commonly achieve standardized fire-resistance ratings (e.g., 30, 60, 90 minutes) with single-system approaches that are simpler to specify and inspect for building control authorities in the Middle East. For mixed-use buildings in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh, that predictability reduces the need for complex secondary barriers. Additionally, Gypsum board ceilings can be manufactured as fire-rated tiles or continuous board systems that integrate firestopping at perimeter joints, lighting penetrations, and service penetrations—critical details for achieving code compliance in hospitals, schools, and hotels. From an installation perspective, gypsum systems are easy to seal and finish, maintaining performance after paint or plaster finishes that often accompany interior fit-outs. For clients and specifiers in GCC markets seeking robust passive fire protection delivered through a single, well-understood material, Gypsum board ceilings are a strong, cost-effective choice when engineered and installed by an experienced ceiling manufacturer.