Drywall Installation: What You Should Know, By Stu Silverman

Whether you are building a new home, having an addition put in, closing off a room or finishing the basement, there are some things you should know about installing drywall, which is commonly used in the construction of walls and ceilings.

Due to its relatively low cost compared to other wall coverings, and its ease of installation, most walls and ceilings built in the last 40 years are covered with drywall - which is a sheet of gypsum covered on both sides with heavy paper. Drywall is also commonly referred to as wallboard, sheetrock, gypsum board and gyprock.

Drywall comes in various sizes and thicknesses

The standard size of drywall panels is four feet wide by eight feet long and 1/2 inch thick, although the length of panels can vary from six to sixteen feet, and the thickness can range from 1/4 to 5/8 of an inch.

The benefit of using longer lengths of drywall is that it creates fewer seams, which need to be taped and covered with a plaster-like compound, then sanded to blend with the rest of the wall. Fewer seams mean less work. The main drawback of using longer lengths is that longer pieces are heavier and more cumbersome to work with. While 1/2* thick drywall is less expensive and easier to work with, 5/8* wallboard has added strength, is less prone to sagging, and offers better soundproofing.

Choose water and fire resistant wallboard where necessary

Aside from the varying dimensions of gypsum board, there are also different types. "Green board,* which is covered with green waterproof paper, is used for moist areas such as bathrooms. And fire resistive drywall is thicker and heavier than standard drywall. It is used around heaters and other sources of heat and fire. Both waterproof and fire resistant wallboard are more expensive than the standard, but are necessary to protect the wall from damage.

Contractors often prefer nails, but you can ask for screws

Drywall panels are attached to the framing - studs, rafters or ceiling joists, using drywall nails or screws, or with adhesive. Contractors often prefer nails, as they are easier and faster to work with. However, they pose more of a risk for popping through the surface if hit or even with the natural settling of the ground.

Once the panels are hung, the joints, or seams where the panels meet, are taped with a special tape and covered with several layers of a plaster-like joint compound to smooth out the seam and cover depressions left by the nails or screws. The wall or ceiling is then â€sfinishedâ€t with a layer of joint compound to give the entire wall or ceiling a uniform appearance.

You can choose between different finishes

Here is where you can decide what type of finish you want for your wall. Be sure to discuss this with your contractor, and include it in the contract.

You can have your drywall finished with a smooth or textured finish. Smooth finishes can be either a smooth finish for wallpaper or for paint. A smooth finish for wallpaper is achieved when a layer of joint compound is applied over the drywall, then sanded; a smooth finish for paint has a slightly rougher, more grainy surface to improve paint adherence. A smooth finished surface is required for regular paint application as well as for many faux paint finishes.

Contractors often prefer nails, as they are easier and faster to work with. However, they pose more of a risk for popping.

Sprayed-on application is less costly

These days, the textured finish is usually sprayed on. However, joint compound can also be applied by hand trowel in thick layers to resemble old-fashioned plaster. When specifying a textured finish, you can choose from simple to complex textures, thicknesses from light to heavy, and varying degrees of coarseness. It is a good idea to check texture samples from your contractor before the job begins, and discuss any extra charges for the different finishes.