Drywall is a versatile and cost-effective material that’s the backbone of modern interior construction. Often referred to by different names, such as wallboard, sheet rock, gib board, and gypsum board, it helps transform homes and buildings into functional living and working spaces.
Unlike traditional plaster wall construction, drywall is less hard against water damage due to its paper facings and organic additives that can become food for mold. Contact Drywall Company Las Vegas now!
Drywall is one of the most common interior finishing materials – and it’s easy to work with. Though hanging drywall properly requires attention to detail, it can be done by almost anyone with the right tools. To minimize waste and create smooth seams, plan out the wall and ceiling layout before putting up drywall. This also helps you make the most efficient use of your drywall supplies, and can save time, money and headaches later on.
Drywall comes in a variety of thicknesses to meet different applications. Typically, walls and ceilings are built with 1/2-inch thick boards, while lighter, three-eighths-inch boards can be used to reduce sound or add insulation to existing walls. If you’re not sure which thickness to choose, consult a professional for help choosing the right material.
To keep the drywall flat and secure, fasten it to the framing members with bugle head screws, spacing them 12 inches apart. To prevent screw heads from penetrating the face paper and breaking through into the gypsum core, make sure they’re set just below the surface of the framing. To make screw placement easier, Gold Bond drywall features GridMarX guide marks to help you accurately place screws.
Pro tip: If you’re putting up drywall in a new construction project, be sure to add wood backer (strips of OSB cut in 4-foot lengths) wherever the drywall will not be fully supported, such as over an existing window or door opening. This will protect the drywall from damage and help keep it straight as you hang it.
Before you start hanging drywall, make sure all electrical and plumbing lines are clearly marked. This will prevent accidental drilling or nailing into them, which could cause serious damage to your home and create fire hazards. It’s also a good idea to remove all furniture from the room during installation.
It’s Durable
Drywall is a durable construction material that can withstand a lot of wear and tear. It also resists fire, moisture and mold. It can be shaped into different shapes and sizes, making it the perfect material for walls and ceilings. It’s a strong and flexible material that can withstand a lot of weight without sagging or pulling down other materials like wires and pipes.
It wasn’t until World War II that builders began using drywall. With most of the country’s workforce focused on manufacturing for war, drywall became the standard building material. It allowed people to build homes and workplaces in a fraction of the time, saving money on labor and supplies. It was also seen as patriotic to use quick and efficient building materials during this important period.
Gypsum, a naturally occurring mineral in plentiful supply, is the main ingredient in drywall. It is mixed with additives to create a slurry that’s then spread over paper or fiberglass backing. The thickness of the paper, along with the type and quality of additives, determines the specific drywall product.
There are many types of drywall, with each offering unique properties and benefits. For instance, some drywall is moisture resistant, while others are designed to reduce noise and increase energy efficiency.
Standard gypsum drywall is the most common type of drywall used in new construction and remodeling projects today. It’s available in a variety of thicknesses, with half-inch sheets being the most popular. Thicker boards are typically used in exterior applications, while thinner boards can be used on curved surfaces or for covering existing drywall. Another drywall option is green board, which has a core that’s impregnated with water resistant materials.
It’s Easy to Repair
Drywall is relatively easy to repair, especially if the damage is minor. For blemishes like nail holes and small cracks, it’s possible to touch them up using paint that blends into the wall color. For larger areas of damage, however, a complete repainting may be necessary.
If the hole is small, simply use spackle or drywall joint compound to fill it. Apply a thin layer over the damaged area, and then use a putty knife to smooth it. If the patch is textured, you may want to apply a second coat of joint compound, and then feather the edges of the hole so it blends into the rest of the wall.
Larger holes and cracks are more complicated, but still pretty straightforward. Before patching a crack, you’ll need to examine the entire section of wallboard. Check for obstructions such as wires, pipes, and ducts, and work carefully around them when cutting or patching the drywall. You’ll also need to decide whether to add backer board or a drywall patch.
For small dents and chips, you can use a putty knife to scrape away any loose drywall paper, then rub the spot with sandpaper. When the blemish is smooth, you can reapply a coat of spackle or joint compound, sand it once more, and then touch up with paint.
Nail pops are another common occurrence that can occur when the framing in your home settles and twists, pushing the nails holding the drywall up into the wall stud. To fix this, drive drywall screws about an inch above and below the popped nail head to secure the drywall to the studs. This prevents the drywall from shifting, and it makes the nail heads less noticeable when you paint.
It’s Energy Efficient
Drywall is an insulating building material that can help to lower energy bills and create a comfortable home environment. Its insulating capabilities help to regulate room temperatures, which can reduce the need to run the air conditioner or furnace as often. As a result, homeowners can save money on their energy bills and reduce their carbon footprints.
As the world becomes more focused on environmental sustainability, drywall has become an important construction material to keep in mind when designing a new home or remodelling an existing one. Compared to other building materials, it has low emissions during manufacturing and installation. It also can be recycled when it has reached the end of its life. This is especially beneficial in homes that require specialized drywall repairs, such as a water damage repair.
When it comes to minimizing the amount of energy that is consumed in a building, most people think about insulation, windows, HVAC systems, and appliances. However, not many realize that a well-installed and maintained drywall can play a big role in energy efficiency as well.
As a building material, drywall helps to insulate structures by preventing heat loss during the winter and heat gain during the summer. It also helps to prevent moisture and air leaks by creating an effective barrier. By combining drywall with proper insulation and using a skilled drywall contractor, you can reduce your energy costs while lowering your carbon footprint.
When it comes to sustainability, drywall has been making strides for several years now. In 2006, United States Gypsum became the first major drywall manufacturer to establish a program that allows builders to return their scrap drywall for recycling. Today, most drywall manufacturers offer similar programs and the majority of U.S. counties have a recycling center where you can bring your scrap drywall to be recycled.
It’s Affordable
Drywall is ubiquitous in modern homes, but few people know how it’s made or where it came from. Also known as Sheetrock, gypsum wallboard or plaster boards, it’s in your walls and ceilings and in stores you visit daily. It’s one of the most common building materials in the world, but it’s also the most overlooked.
It’s inexpensive and easy to install and repair. If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, you can install drywall without hiring a professional to help, but it’s important to take your time. If you rush, you may end up with a mess that looks bad at best and requires costly repairs at worst. Hiring a contractor can cost more upfront but will save you the stress and expense of doing it yourself.
Most drywall contractors charge by the square foot to hang and finish a room. The total cost of the job includes putting up the sheets, tapping them into place and coating the surface with an undercoat and a textured finish. This price usually doesn’t vary too much, but some jobs are more complex than others. Adding features such as cathedral or vaulted ceilings, working around kitchen cabinets and countertops and adding built-in shelves will increase the price.
If you’re doing a major renovation, consider using fire-resistant drywall in any areas where you store flammable items. This adds extra protection and slows the spread of fire, making it ideal for garages and basements.
Drywall is made of a white, sandy mineral called gypsum, which is mined from the earth in many locations worldwide. It’s combined with other ingredients to make it thick and rigid enough for use as a wall or ceiling covering. It’s often wrapped in paper and sold under the name of Sheetrock.