Drywall Guide 101

Drywall Guide 101

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Drywall Guide 101 

Drywall is used as a modern building material that is available in large panels such as 4 feet by 8 feet. The standard drywall panel has a gypsum core which has been sandwiched between two faces of heavy paper. These heavy paper faces are commonly constructed from recycled paper products. One of the faces is very smooth and the other is rougher like Kraft paper. The smooth face is the surfacing face. The purpose of drywall was to replace older types of processes for interior finishing that required lath and plaster and were significantly more labor intensive.

Drywall is aptly named as it goes on dry rather than wet like some materials such as plaster. There are a number of different proprietary names that are used to describe Drywall, including Sheetrock, Gyp Board, Plaster Board, Gypsum Board and Wallboard though many of these names refer to specific brands and types of Drywall and not to Drywall in general.

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There are numerous benefits associated with Drywall, including that it is generally inexpensive, can be used in a wide variety of different applications, is easy to work with and is also capable of being used in place of plaster walls. Drywall is capable of readily accepting a wide range of different finishes and paints and it is also easily cut into the right shape using a sharp knife. Once it has been taped in and sanded down, Drywall allows for near immediate painting and finishing. Another important benefit of Drywall is that it is a non combustible material.

Drywall has a unique shape and unique construction. It has recycled face paper around its edges, protecting and reinforcing the core. The short edges are smooth and square cut. The long panel edges have special shaping that involves tapering, allowing for joints to be properly reinforced with the use of special tape and then properly concealed using special finishing compounds. Once the joints have been properly taped and then finished, an installation that is well done will be nearly invisible.

For most typical residential applications, drywall is capable of being used on ceilings and walls. Drywall also comes in many other different types, different thicknesses and also different sheet sizes depending on what type of application you have in mind for it. The most common panel size for residential dry wall is 4 feet by 8 feet and ½ inch thick although there are other thicknesses and other panel sizes as well for residential construction, to repair severely cracked plaster ceilings, for door frames and window frames, for one-hour fire rated walls, and for purposes where walls need to be water resistant. There are special types of water resistant as well as mold resistant drywall boards that can be used for wet applications such as bathrooms and kitchens, and these boards and panels have green paper faces.

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Add Paint or Wallpaper to your home’s walls?

Add Paint or Wallpaper to your home’s walls?

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When it’s time to add a new look to your home’s walls, you usually have two choices – paint or wallpaper. This can be pretty depressing, but the good news is there are a lot of new paints and textures you can try to make your home look much more interesting. There are a few guidelines to remember however, as well as some tips that will make the choice a lot easier. Let’s look at the strengths and weaknesses of both.

Wallpaper
With today’s new peel and remove wallpaper, the old days of standing with a steamer and a scraper for days are pretty much over. If you haven’t looked at wallpaper in the past few years, take the time to rediscover it. There are so many new textures and options that wallpaper has become fun again.


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The main problem with wallpaper however is that it tends to look dated. It’s really easy to go with a trendy color or pattern and then end up hating it in just a few years. While it’s easier than ever to remove, it’s still a lot of work that can be avoided with the right selections. Pick colors that you know you’re going to like for a long time and avoid the trendy trap. Go with classical textures and patterns, or stick with a solid that will wear for a lot longer.

When it comes to borders, they are pretty much done, unless you’re working on a child’s room. If you plan to sell your home, borders can really throw a buyer off and they just aren’t current enough to warrant the time and money it takes to install them. If you must have a border, go with one in a very timeless pattern that won’t look dated or chintzy.

Paint
Painting your home’s interior has become a lot easier thanks to better paints, and a whole lot more tools. There are new rollers and sprayers that will get the job done in half the time and produce much more professional results. The newer paints also have a lot less odor and you won’t have to worry about passing out on a ladder thanks to the fumes. Low or No VOC paint (Volatile Organic Compound) has little or no volatile organic compounds. VOC's are known carcinogens and cause most of the paint fume smells.

When it comes to picking paint, go with one that is rated for your type of room. That sounds pretty elementary, but many people make the mistake of choosing the wrong kind of paint. Go with a medium gloss finish for walls, and leave the ultra gloss for the trim. Matte tends to look dull and dirty after awhile, so it really is best to have a medium gloss for most walls.

Accent walls are pretty tired now when it comes to design, so if you’re going to have one, use a paint color that is timeless and avoid the bright and bold colors. Again, if you’re planning on selling your home, it’s best to stick with colors that will not turn off your buyers.

As for texture painting – it’s done, dated and completely over. Don’t waste your time.