All You Need To Know About Drywalls

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What Is Drywall?

Drywall is a material that is generally used in the construction of walls and ceilings. Basically, it is made of CaSO4.1/2 H2O (gypsum) in between two paper layers. The chemical compound gypsum consists of calcium sulfate and water which is in crystalline form. Thanks to the large amount of crystalline water in it, drywalls provide a great fire resistance to the user, and with a certain method of installation and some additives, it also can provide great sound control, resistance to water, and mold.

History Of Drywalls

Drywall was invented in 1916 by the company named The U.S. Gypsum Company (USG). They created it as a protection for homes from fires, and try to market it as a response to plaster walls. Even though its invention was in the early 1900s, the sales of the product started to increase only in the 1940s. The reason for the delay in its use is because the people assumed that it is kind of a cheap fix, and as a consequence it didn’t seem as reliable as the traditional materials.

Until the US became involved in World War 2, none of any attempts to improve on the Drywall sales worked. Drywalls’ benefits began to get recognized, as men of the country started to go front line and labor force decreased. So people slide into the quick and inexpensive ways to build and of course drywall was the perfect option.

As World War 2 ended, drywall became the most commonly used building material in the United States. Over time, the use of plaster all over the world decreased and drywall took its place.

Drywall Types

There are 5 basic types of drywall. With the addition of some materials to these five, the number can be increased.

1. Regular Drywall or White Board

There are 5 basic types of drywall. With the addition of some materials to these five, the number can be increased.

2. Green Board Drywall

Also known as moisture-resistant drywall. Perfect for bathrooms. But more expensive than the regular drywall.

3. Purple Drywall

It has great water and mold resistance. So it requires fewer steps involved during the implementation, because there is no need to use mud or tape. And also, it resists dents and scratches.

4. Type X Drywall

As known as fire resistant drywall. It has more layers than the regular one, so it’s a bit harder to work with. And it can be used in garages and apartment buildings.

5. Soundproof Drywall

It’s a denser drywall than the regular drywall, it has more layers. In between two sheets, there is a 1/4-inch layer of gypsum, and a membrane and again another 1/4-inch layer of gypsum. This layering method increases the Sound Transmission Class (STC) and prevents noise transmission between rooms.

How To Install Drywall?

Initial Tips to Drywall Installation

  • Use thinner drywall sheets (1/4 to 3/8 inches) for the ceiling.
  • Build the ceiling first, and then pass to walls.

Must Have Drywall Tool List

  • 4-ft. T-square
  • Drywall screw gun
  • Keyhole drywall saw
  • Utility knife
  • Screws
  • Tape Measures

Installation

The installation of drywalls is generally pretty easy. It can be actually considered as a common DIY project. Yet, it requires careful labor and good preparation before the installation. With someone’s help it will become an easier job.

1. First, you need to know which kind of drywall you need. Select the drywall according to the composition of it. For example there is an option called green rock for high humidity and moisture areas. But, avoid using it for the whole house. It will be just efficient if you use the green rock only in high moisture areas such as the bathroom.

2. You need to know the required thickness of the drywall. There is a range from 1/4″ – 5/8,” and among those the one with 1/2″ thickness is the most popular one. Still, you might want to check the correct size with an expert if you are unsure.

3. Compute the total surface you want to cover with drywall. Drywall usually comes in size either 4×8 or 4×12 foot.

4. Inspect your work area for any damaged, moist surface before installation. You may want to consider fixing those issues first and also you might want to change your drywall material selection. Remember that where you install the drywall gives you some profound hints about material selection and some other installation details.

For The Ceiling

The drywalls’ end needs to land on a girder or a solid place/piece. Because the end should be supported, so it can be screwed into the solid place or joist. Apply a bead of glue to each girder and place the drywall up onto the ceiling, starting from the corners. Drive five screws over the drywall, in a single line, for each strapping piece or girder. And the five screws needs to be evenly spaced along. Keep gluing, placing, and screwing drywall in this way until one row of the ceiling has been completely covered.

For The Wall

  • You need to measure the wall against a piece of drywall to know whether its end piece will fit in the center of a stud. Cut accordingly to the measurement of your wall and the placement of drywalls’ end.
  • Use a bead of glue down for each girder and do this right before you place the drywall.
  • With a help, place the drywall to the wall, and with the drill, install five screws in the girder at the center of the drywall panel. Start in the center and go outwards. Then drive in five screws for each stud. Extra screws may help, but usually it is unnecessary. Cut out any drywall pieces that have been around the window or door using drywall saw.

Mudding and Taping

  • Apply your coat of mud over the seam, and make sure it’s runnier than the normal, so it can work well with the taping part.
  • You can use a drywall knife to apply a reasonable amount of mud to a seam.
  • Put the drywall tape over the entire girder you applied the mud to.
  • Remove the mud around the tape with your drywall knife.
  • Repeat for each girder until all girders are taped.

Sanding and Finishing

  • After the final coat has dried, use a pole sander with drywall sandpaper to sand the hard to reach girders.
  • Use a handheld drywall sander with fine-grit sandpaper to hit everything else.
  • Inspect for any flaws.
  • Prime the walls, then sand again.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Drywall

Advantages

  • Easy to install, time and labor friendly. It can easily be installed even by inexperienced people.
  • Provides a proper sound and heat insulation and this insulation ability can be improved further with some additional materials, if desired.
  • It can be disassembled and reconstructed, in case of a need.
  • Requires simple repairs when it is damaged.
  • It can be used as fire resistance to the walls and ceilings.

Disadvantages

  • Without any addition to the drywall, it will be prone to damages.
  • Many people are not comfortable with the hollow sound or feeling when you knock or tap on a wall built with drywall.

But the upside is the cons of drywall are not that big problems. If you select the right type of drywall and take precaution measures, you will be fine.

Drywall Equivalents

If you are not interested in drywall, you still have many options to replace it. They may be a bit more expensive, but they have their upsides to provide pretty noticeable differences. 

Some of the drywall alternatives are:

  • Lath and Plaster
  • Cement Board
  • Plastic Panels
  • Concrete Walls
  • Wood Planks