How Drywall Works
Drywall installation is a famous DIY scheme for homeowners because it’s easy to understand and learn. It’s cheap too and doesn’t require any expensive specialty tools.
Start installing drywall in your house, after you have chosen which kind of drywall you need for your project, then estimate how many sheets you’ll need based on the size of the area. You can also save money by renting some of the tools you need during the work. After that you can realize your project down into three easy steps:
1. Cutting
You should start by laying your drywall sheets out on a level, dry surface. Measure the length you will need for your project, and use a pencil to mark where you’ll need to cut the sheet.
2. Hanging
Start attaching your drywall sheets to the wood or metal studs used to frame your space. You have to hang sheets horizontally when you are working with wood studs, while metal studs work better with vertical installations. You have to do that because wood studs are more likely to warp and deflect over time.
3. Finishing
In the end, you’ll tape, sand, and finish the drywall. This means applying three layers of mud, one layer of drywall tape, and a whole lot of sandpaper. Before that, use a 6-inch finishing knife to spread joint compound along each seam. This first layer is called the tape coat and should be about four inches wide, centred on the joints in your drywall sheets. Next, apply drywall tape along the joints. The mud you applied will hold it in place.
Alternatives to Drywall Installation
As convenient as drywall is, it still has some weaknesses. Some of the homeowners that have used that, are turned off by the hollow thump made when you knock or tap on the wall built with drywall. It can remember them, that drywall is still a cheap, quick fix. Fortunately, there are some alternatives to the traditional drywall that can be used to create walls in a building’s interior. Several of them are:
- Masonry/Brick – An exposed, unfinished brick wall can add a lot of character to a home or office and adds a lot of value to the property because it’s rare and highly envied.
- Traditional Plaster – Certain types of houses, such as those going for a traditional countryside look, will profit from plaster walls.
- Veneer Plaster – This is an up-and-coming finishing technique that continues to gain fame. It subsists of a layer of thin drywall, called blue board, with a very thin, 1/8-inch layer of plaster applied on top.
- Wood Paneling – This material has changed from the cheesy form it took at its debut. It’s now very simple to install and comes in nearly any wood veneer or finish you desire, though it’s still more expensive than drywall.
- Fiberglass Reinforced Panels (FRP) – These panels are used in properties that would normally receive ceramic tiles, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and pools.
Some types of Drywall Installation
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Greenboard
Greenboard is drywall covered with water-resistant paper, the paper is green in colour, and hence the name of the product. Greyboard is to be used in areas with damp and humid conditions like bathrooms and basements. The important thing here is not to confuse water resistant with waterproof and keep in mind that Greenwood cannot be used for wet conditions like shower stalls, for example. Greenboard comes in two sizes – 1/2″ and 5/8″ and is slightly more expensive than regular drywall.
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Blueboard
Blueboard is a plaster baseboard with a blue coating made specifically to be finished with veneer plaster. It has high water and mould resistance. Its advantages are those that it is faster to finish walls with veneer plastering as there are fewer steps involved as opposed to traditional mudding and taping. Plastering, however, requires a very skilled professional to do it as veneer plaster sets much faster than regular compound and is less forgiving to flaws. Similarly to Greenboard, it is used in areas of dampness, like bathrooms and laundry rooms. Pricewise it is a more expensive option than Greenboard
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DensArmor Paperless Drywall
DensArmor is a brand name for a new mould and water-resistant type of drywall. It is made without paper. Instead, the gypsum panel is covered with a fibreglass mat. Since no paper is used, the mould will have nothing to feed on – that’s the idea behind this product. The core of this high-performance interior panel is moisture resistant, however, DensArmor does not have a water-stopping acrylic coating, and similarly to Greenboard and Blueboard is not for wet application. The concern with DensArmor is the rougher surface of the panel as compared to regular drywall, therefore it requires a skim coat of joint compound to achieve a smooth finish.
Choose your Drywall Installation Partner
JXF Painting Service is a renovation company that has much more than a decade that operates in Toronto and all of GTA. We offer all that you need during drywall installation. We work with loyalty, with a very qualified team, and the last technology equipment. Don’t think twice to call us at (647) 889-7967 or to book an appointment at [email protected].
