Drywall: Always Needed, Hard to Do Right
3 pros!
Drywall installation is simple, but most homeowners (and many contractors) make mistakes, some of which can lead to long-term problems.
Drywall replaced the labor-intensive processes of plastering and lathing as a much faster way to create interior home walls.
Composed of gypsum plaster pressed between two thick paper sheets, this homebuilding advancement has been in use since the 1950s. Installation is straightforward, but many homeowners are unsure of where to start, or what to look for in a drywall contractor. Here's what you need to know about doing it right.
Many names, same function
Also known as plasterboard, wallboard, gypsum board, gyprock or just "rock," this product has a host of names that all mean the same thing. There are some variations of drywall: It can be purchased in one-half inch thickness (for walls) or five-eighths inch thickness (for ceilings). Four-by-eight foot sheets are the most common size, but manufactureres also offer 10- and 12-foot lengths for larger jobs.
Expect to pay around $7 for a four-by-eight sheet, and more if you choose a waterproof or "ultralight" option. With no need to dry on-site like plaster or be nailed into place individually like wooden strapping, drywall significantly cuts down on the length of time required to create walls in a home.
Professionals can often complete basic installation in a 12-by-16 foot room in less than an hour. With enough experience, homeowners can manage the same thing in an afternoon.
Basic installation tips
Drywall isn't the perfect product, but it offers several advantages over wood or plaster. It comes already dried and ready to hang, and it doesn't suffer from warping issues common to long pieces of wood. It doesn't do well with water, however, and will quickly soak up any moisture. If left too long in a damp environment, entire sheets will start to mold. In many cases, this mold forms behind the wall next to the insulation because the cavity there is both warm and wet. As a result, proper installation is critical.
Installation starts with ceilings after insulation has been placed, and sheets are always hung with the their long edge perpendicular to studs or floor joints. One sheet is placed, then the next beside it, but typically cut in half to prevent seams from matching along both the length and width of your walls. Sheets are screwed or nailed into the studs. If your contractor is using nails, make sure they're threaded so that they won't pop out.
Drywalling the ceiling is easier with at least three people: One to screw the panel in place and two to hold. Once the ceiling is finished, the walls are completed from the top down, and metal corner strapping is installed. Now comes the tricky part, also known as mudding and taping.
Stuck in the mud
Mudding is the reason most homeowners avoid this process. The idea here is to apply mudding compound, which is a thick paste, to every seam. A professional should be able to apply a smooth, even coat that fills seam gaps and nail divots. Once the first layer of mud is on, tape is applied over all joints.
Now things get more difficult. When the first coat is dry, a second coat must be applied but several inches wider than the first. When that dries, a third coat that is six inches wider than the second coat is applied. Finally, a sanding block is used to smooth all the edges and create a uniform surface for painting or wallpaper.
Homeowners who attempt to tape and mud typically run into one of two problems. First, they use too much mud and have to spend days or weeks sanding it down. Second, they use too little, meaning the joints are not properly filled. In this case, tape must be removed and the mud reapplied. Significant patience and effort are required to properly perform this task, and expect it to be messy. The dust created tends to cling.
Bringing in a pro
Professionals cut down on the time it takes to put up interior walls and help keep the disruption in your home to a minimum.
If you're building a new home, chances are you'll be living somewhere else during the installation, so make sure you stop by from to check on progress.
Before bringing in any pro, take a look at some of their other work and ask for a specific timeline, in addition to payment milestones. If the contractor tells you he's "too busy" to give an accurate estimate of time or wants more than 50 percent of the cost upfront, you're better off looking elsewhere.