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Why Are They Charging Us For Air?
First the drywall manufacturers had this great idea of how to make more profit by importing cheaper drywall from China. Since that plan didn't turn out well for them, now they are virtually discontinuing standard gypsum board as we have known it in favor of what they are calling "light weight" drywall. I think it is simply a marketing scam.
When the drywall is still in a liquid form, air pockets are mixed into the slurry to make the board lighter. Although a lighter board is easier to lift and install, it offers no advantage to a homeowner - only the drywall hanger. In general, the "light weight" board costs about $1/board more than the old board. In other words, the drywall manufacturers are charging a premium for a board that has less product in it; hence, they are charging for air and making more profit!
Reports from the field on this "great idea" have not been positive. The "light weight" board allows more sound to transmit through it, it breaks if it gets even slightly wet or is mishandled, and it is prone to holes and cracks. Yet Home Depot and Lowe's now only sell "light weight" standard drywall.
You will be happy to know that Leading Edge Homes has discovered a solution to this problem that costs the same as "light weight" drywall. We order fire-rated drywall for walls and ceilings from our drywall supplier. Its composition is as dense as the drywall we have used for years - no air bubble problems, no hassles, no headaches.
Here's another "great idea" from one of the drywall manufacturers CertainTeed. They have a gypsum board called AirRenew which they claim removes Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and formaldehyde from the air by converting them into what they call "non-harmful substances" - whatever that means. Do you believe them? What will they think of, and try to market to us, next? | 
