It's
known by several names including the names manufacturers give it:
Sheetrock, drywall, gypsumboard, gypsumboard wallboard, plasterboard.
Sheetrock is a trade name. Most other names are generic and are
used according to national region. In this 3-part article, we'll
refer to it as "drywall." Drywall
is a replacement for lath and plaster construction. Since plaster
utilizes water in its application form, drywall was developed for
production-built houses; builders don't have to wait the long periods
of time it takes plaster to dry so it can be finished with paint,
wallpaper, etc.
Even
if the original walls in your home are lath and plaster construction,
you can use drywall on new walls (or as patches) for ease of construction
and economy. Properly applied, there will be no apparent difference
between drywall and plaster surfaces. When walls have been painted
or papered, they will be identical in finish texture.
There
are three types of drywall products. One type has a standard "paper"
wrapper for use in general construction. The other type has a water-resistant
wrapper for use in bathrooms and where there is a high humidity
problem. The water-resistant product often is called "greenboard"
because the wrapper has a greenish cast to it. Greenboard is more
expensive (usually) than its standard drywall cousin, although both
materials are not generally costly. A third type is fire-rated or
fire-resistant, and it will be so noted on its paper covering at
the edges. It usually costs a tad more than standard drywall.
Drywall
is fairly easy for a do-it-yourselfer to install. The material is
heavy, and it is recommended that you have a helper when installing
the panels to studs or rafters. Nailing is easy; taping is not so
easy, but the job is within the skills of a do-it-yourselfer if
you have the proper tools and a little patience.
The
most important drywall tool to have is a 6-inch-wide taping knife.
We also recommend that you invest in a 9-inch-wide taping knife.
These tools can save plenty of time and effort.
Drywall
thickness' range from 1/4-inch to 5/8-inch in the three types
detailed above. The "standard" thickness is 3/8-inch. The sheets
are available 4-feet wide, with the common size 8 feet in length.
However, drywall is made in 6-to 14 foot lengths, and some stores
may have precut pieces 2x2- and 2x4-feet. A full range of sizes
may not be readily available. It is recommended that you check sizes
before designing a layout pattern of the sheets.
As
a rule of thumb, use 1/2- or 3/8-inch sheets when applying them
directly to studs, and 1/4- or 3/8-inch sheets when applying them
to an existing wall surface-including plaster.
Nailing
plan-
If you have never worked with drywall, it's a good idea to
carefully plan out the project before you begin to install the drywall.
First, learn what size sheets are available in your area and draw
a layout and nailing plan on graph paper. A good plan will save
cutting, material waste, and give you the fewest number of joints
to tape. For a standard 8-foot ceiling, install the panels horizontally,
installing the bottom panel first. The top edge of the bottom panel
will help support the top panel while you nail it. Also, this plan
will keep joints to a minimum and put them at a good working level
for you.
Thanks
We currently have lath and plaster walls. We are remodeling our kitchen, and we are having difficulty knowing where to stop the demo, as we will be replacing the paster with drywall. Also, do you have any suggestions for getting a smooth surface where the lath and plaster stops and the drywall begins? There is a serious depth difference between the two surfaces.