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What is Drywall – Construction and Installation Process of Drywall, and Types

Introduction:
Walls and roofs have been the primary and most fundamental needs of human dwellings ever since the concept of a house was first conceived. Bricks replaced stones as the preferred material for construction. We used a lot of water to make mortar and let it cure, but that’s no longer necessary thanks to cement; thus, stone and brick masonry is becoming increasingly obsolete. A drywall is a type of wall that is not made of bricks or plaster; both need water in some way. As the world’s water supply dwindles, this is crucial in ensuring that future generations can continue to benefit from our current resources.

The Drywall System was developed by the U.S. Gypsum Company (USG) in 1916. The Sackett plaster firm, a division of USG, is responsible for the product’s original name, “Sackett Board.” Small fireproof tiles were offered for sale, but subsequent years saw the product reformulate into multilayer sheets of gypsum and paper. In fewer than ten years, it evolved into its present form, with compressed gypsum between two thick sheets of paper.


What is Drywall?
Drywall, also known as gypsum board, is typically used to finish off the insides of buildings. Drywall is commonly referred to by various names, including gypsum panel, sheetrock, wallboard, custard board, buster board, etc.

The drywall consists of a gypsum board in between two paper boards. The gypsum plaster used to adhere to them hardens quickly. To the gypsum plaster, other chemicals like foaming agents and plasticizers are sometimes added. Drywall was first used in the construction industry in the United States during the twentieth century to save the time and money spent on plastering.

Construction of Drywall:
Drywalling a full house takes only a few days for two professionals. It reduces the amount of time needed to plaster a wall. This wall-covering option is practical and affordable as a substitute for traditional brick or stone. Drywall panels are easy enough to put up that many do-it-yourself home handymen can do it. The Hangers and the Mud-man are specialists in their field, but they work together to complete the drywall installation process. A drywall panel hanger secures the boards and panels to the wall using screws and nails, and a drywall compound, “mud-man,” fill the seams between the panels.

Installation Process of Drywall:

Types of Drywall:

1. Regular Drywall:
 Regular Drywall
Fig1: Regular Drywall
Courtesy: tejasmaterials.com

Most ceilings and walls in homes and businesses are made of regular drywall, also called “whiteboard.” Half an inch is the most common thickness for homes. The most common drywall sheet size is 4′ x 8′, but it can also come in lengths of up to 16′ for rooms with high ceilings. Home improvement stores sell drywall sheets that are 2′ x 2′, so they are easier to carry and can be used for small repairs.

2. Soundproof Drywall:
Soundproof Drywall
Fig2: Soundproof Drywall
Courtesy: fbmsales.com

While all drywall helps to dampen noise to some degree, soundproof drywall takes things further by including extra wood fiber, gypsum, and polymers to achieve a higher Sound Transmission Class (STC). An STC rating indicates how much sound a given material can dampen, much how the Richter scale rates earthquake destruction. Soundproof drywall is installed when more isolation is needed, such as between rooms or along common walls. It is more difficult to deal with since it is denser than regular drywall.

3. Green Board Drywall:
Drywall made from green boards is impervious to water damage. Because of the waterproof barrier coating, these are more expensive than standard drywall, but they’re ideal for high-moisture areas like bathrooms, kitchens, and basements. In addition to being a tile backer, it is commonly used in wet spaces, including bathrooms, basements, kitchens, laundries, and utility rooms.

Green Board Drywall
Fig3: Green Board Drywall
Courtesy: thespruce.com

4. Blue Board Drywall:
Blue Board Drywall
Fig4: Blue Board Drywall
Courtesy: specifier.com.au

Blue board, also known as Plasterboard, is used as a substrate for plaster applications, much like the lath in lath and plaster walls. Plasterboard requires a thin coat or plaster coatings to be put over the entire surface. The face paper is absorbent, allowing the plaster finish layer to attach to the drywall better. It’s utilized in older homes to provide the look of lath and plaster.

5. Purple Drywall:
Purple Drywall
Fig5: Purple Drywall
Courtesy: constructioninstruction.com

Purple drywall is very resistant to moisture, mold, and mildew. It is also resistant to scuffs, dents, and scratches, so it will last longer and need fewer repairs. It can be used in bathrooms, laundry rooms, garages, and other areas that might get wet from rain or other water sources.

6. Fire-Resistant Drywall:
Fire-Resistant Drywall
Fig6: Fire-Resistant Drywall
Courtesy: bernardibuildingsupply.com

Garages and basements sometimes have fire-resistant drywall installed to prevent fires from occurring around potentially combustible machinery. It’s not as explosive as conventional gypsum because it contains fiberglass, which acts as a firebreak. You can find Type X and Type C drywall, both fireproof. Type X is 5/8″ thick and provides up to an hour of fire protection. If further security is required, it might be applied in many layers. In every way, Type C is identical to Type X, except that it does not contract when heated. Its main purpose is to prevent ceilings from falling in the event of a fire.

7. Paperless Drywall:
 Paperless Drywall
Fig6: Paperless Drywall
Courtesy: nachi.org

The gypsum core in paperless drywall is the same as in regular drywall. The main distinction is that fiberglass is used instead of paper for exterior pacing. Also, unlike the core of traditional drywall, the gypsum in paperless drywall is resistant to water damage. Installing paperless drywall is a good idea in any place where water or moisture might be present, including bathrooms, kitchens, basements, and garages.

Advantages of Drywall:

Disadvantages of Drywall:

Conclusion:
Drywall is an effective, lightweight partition system made from a GI steel frame covered in gypsum plasterboards on both sides and fastened with self-drilling drywall screws. After the joints have been taped, the gypsum jointing compound is used to complete the job. Drywall is widely utilized for its many advantages, including its ease of installation, portability, durability, versatility, dry construction, flexibility, great performance, environmental friendliness, etc.

References:
1. Steffen, John. “What Is Drywall | Types of Bathroom Drywall | Drywall Installation Process | Pros and Cons of Drywall Installation – ConstructUpdate.com.” ConstructUpdate.com, 17 June 2022, www.constructupdate.com/what-is-drywall-and-bathroom-drywall-types.
2. “6 Types of Drywall and How They’re Used – MT Copeland.” MT Copeland, 15 Oct. 2021, mtcopeland.com/blog/6-types-of-drywall-and-how-theyre-used.
3. RobeyInc. “Different Types of Drywall, Their Applications and Uses.” Robey, Inc. |, 22 Jan. 2019, robeyinc.com/different-types-of-drywall-applications-uses.
4. “Drywall System – Types and Benefits – Constro Facilitator.” Constro Facilitator, 30 Nov. 2020, constrofacilitator.com/drywall-system-types-and-benefits.
5. “How to Choose the Right Type of Drywall.” The Spruce, 2 Aug. 2022, www.thespruce.com/types-of-drywall-845079.
6. “What Is Drywall and What Is It Made Of?” Angi, 15 June 2021, www.angi.com/articles/what-is-drywall-made-of.htm

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Kanwarjot Singh

Kanwarjot Singh is the founder of Civil Engineering Portal, a leading civil engineering website which has been awarded as the best online publication by CIDC. He did his BE civil from Thapar University, Patiala and has been working on this website with his team of Civil Engineers.

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