Drywall is a popular material for constructing walls and ceilings when building or remodeling a house. It is affordable and provides elegance, fire resistance, mildew prevention, and noise reduction.
Also known as plasterboard, wallboard, sheetrock, or gypsum board, it is composed of gypsum plaster mixed with paper, fiber glass, plasticizer and foaming agent to reduce mold, flammability, and water absorption.
Gypsum
Gypsum is a rock that contains calcium sulfate and it’s used in construction as a fire-resistant, sound absorbing, and moisture-preserving building material. It’s also a major ingredient in drywall. Drywall is the premier building material for wall, ceiling, and partition systems in residential and commercial buildings. Its fire-resistant and moisture-preserving properties are what make it a staple in the building industry.
Drywalls are a combination of two materials, paper and gypsum. The paper on the outside is designed to be decorative, while the gypsum inside acts as an insulator and fire retardant.
The gypsum in the middle of the drywall has a natural fire resistance, but it is not always enough to protect the building if there is a fire. To provide a stronger layer of protection, manufacturers add additives to the gypsum to increase its fire resistance. The most common of these additives is phosphorus, which reacts with the gypsum to form a compound called calcined gypsum. This process heats the gypsum to the point that it burns but does not melt.
This calcined gypsum is then used to make drywall, plaster of Paris, and other building materials. It is also used as a fertilizer and soil additive. When gypsum is added to soil, it improves the soil’s ability to absorb water and nutrients. It also helps prevent compaction and improves movement in heavy clay soils.
The gypsum inside the drywall is also resistant to termites. This is important because if a house covered with drywall is infested by termites, the paper on the outside of the drywall will be eaten and the gypsum core will be exposed. This is a huge problem because it will lead to the need for patching and repainting the walls.
There are different types of gypsum drywalls available to suit the needs of each building. For example, there is a 1/2-inch variant that is suitable for single-layer walls and is more affordable. There is also a 5/8-inch variant that offers greater rigidity and higher fire resistance. For shaft walls, elevator shafts, and utility raceways, manufacturers use a specialized gypsum panel called a shaft liner. These panels are 1 inch thick and have a fiberglass face to increase their fire-rated protection. They are attached to a shaft with special studs called CH studs.
Paper Tape
Paper tape is a type of drywall tape that is made from sheets of paper. It is used to cover drywall seams and corners, and it helps to make the walls look smooth and finished. There are many different types of paper tape, including hot melt, double-faced, and self-adhesive. Regardless of the type of tape you choose, it should be used with a quality joint compound to ensure that it holds up well.
Drywall paper tape is less expensive than mesh tape and is typically used in residential homes. It is easy to use and provides a good seal for the seams and corners of the drywall. It is also available in a variety of widths to suit your needs. However, if you are looking for a more durable option, mesh tape may be a better choice.
Mesh tape is designed with a middle crease, which makes it easier to fold long lengths of the tape for inside corner joints. It is also stronger than paper tape in terms of ultimate load, but it is more elastic and can cause cracks if it isn’t properly covered with a thick enough coat of joint compound. It is best to use setting-type compound with this type of tape, as it will help to compensate for the elastic nature of the material.
Both types of tape are effective, but choosing the right one for your project depends on a variety of factors. Some things to consider include your skill level, timeframe, and budget. It is also important to note that using either type of tape requires careful application and practice.
If you are new to drywall, it is recommended that you use paper tape on your first few projects until you get the hang of it. This will allow you to get the most out of your materials and avoid any mistakes that could lead to a poor finish.
Once you have become more skilled, you can switch to mesh tape for larger surface areas and higher-load-bearing spaces. Regardless of the type of tape you use, it is essential to apply a thick coating of joint compound over the entire surface. This will help to create a strong, durable seal that lasts for years.
Joint Tape
Drywall joint tape reinforces the seams and corners of drywall, helping to prevent cracks and holes and provide a smooth surface for painting. The tape is held in place by a wet layer of drywall compound (mud). There are two types of drywall joint tape: paper and fiberglass-mesh. Paper tape is the most common, and it can be used on any type of wall. It is easy to work with and provides a good, solid foundation for the next coat of mud. However, it can be torn by the sharp blade of a taping tool. Fortunately, there are newer types of drywall tape that are more resistant to tears and snags. Regardless of the type of tape used, it is essential to apply a thin base coat of wet mud before applying drywall joint compound.
This first coat acts as a primer and helps the mud adhere to the bare drywall surface. Drywall mud comes in a variety of mixes, from heavyweight to lightweight. Regardless of the type of mud you use, it should be wet enough to hold the drywall tape in place, but not so wet that it runs down the seams when it dries.
Once the mud is in place, the next step is to lay and embed the drywall tape. Most people apply a light layer of mud over the tape, then spread a second, heavier coat to cover the tape and help smooth it out. This layer should be allowed to dry before sanding.
Then, it’s time to paint the drywall. Taking the time to prepare drywall properly is important, because it’s much harder to fix errors once paint is applied.
If you are doing a lot of drywall, it is usually faster to apply three or more thinner coats of mud than fewer thicker ones. Thicker mud takes longer to dry, and it’s hard to sand to a smooth finish. Also, thick layers of mud are more likely to develop bumps and unevenness, which will show through when the drywall is painted. It is best to use a light touch with the mud and feather out the edges well with your knife.
Tape Joints
Drywall is a relatively inexpensive material, but its installation requires careful attention to detail. Especially when it comes to taping and mudding, mistakes can be costly to correct or even worse, they can lead to the crumbling of the entire wall or ceiling. This is why a professional drywall contractor is often the best choice when you are installing new drywall in your home or commercial project.
Almost all construction projects use tape to cover the seams between sheets of drywall. This helps to reinforce the drywall and keep it from cracking over time. While it is possible to hang drywall without using tape, doing so increases the likelihood of future problems and is not recommended for most projects. Tape is also necessary for inside corners where two walls meet. To properly mud and tape these inside corners, you will need some basic drywall supplies including joint compound and a drywall knife, as well as a little bit of finesse.
To make a good job of mudding and taping, you will need to first spread the joint compound (also known as “mud” or “tape mud”) over the entire seam. It is important to apply a uniform coat and not over-spread it, as this can create unsightly lumps and bumps in the finished product.
After applying the first coat of mud, it is time to apply the paper tape. While some contractors may prefer to use mesh tape, paper tape is still considered by many drywall professionals to be better for this job because it is less likely to crack over time. Once the tape is in place, it is important to smooth it into the mud with your drywall knife and press down to ensure it adheres.
When you are taping a corner, start at the middle of the corner and work out towards the ends of the wall to prevent peeling as you go. Then, once you have smoothed and pressed the tape into the mud, you can remove it from the roll and cut off the excess with a utility knife.