Drywall is a building material that is a panel of two sheets of paper or cardboard, between which there is gypsum with a thickness of about 1-2 cm. It is mainly used for wall cladding, suspended ceilings, decorative elements and partition walls. Environmentally friendly, this product has gained great popularity in recent years and has become an indispensable part of modern construction.
WHY IS GYPSUM LOVED BY SPECIALISTS?
With its physical and hygienic properties, gypsum board is ideally suited for residential and commercial premises. This environmentally friendly product does not contain toxic components and does not have a harmful impact on the environment. Its energy-saving properties, combined with good soundproofing properties and fire resistance, make it a preferred material in the field of drywall construction. It is also important to note that gypsum board “breathes”, that is, it does not allow moisture to remain in the room. This is a very important quality for a material intended for indoor use.
But specialists love this material not only for its above-mentioned qualities, but also for its excellent technological properties. It has low weight and excludes the use of traditional “wet” procedures, which create an uncomfortable environment at the work site. With its use, labor productivity increases significantly, which means saving time and nerves for both the contractor and the person in charge of the repair.
TYPES OF GYPSUM BOARD
As a leading manufacturer in the industry, the German company KNAUF offers three types of drywall depending on the function it will perform:
- Ordinary plasterboard: used mainly for the construction of partition walls or suspended ceilings. Its technical designation is GKB. The standard color of ordinary plasterboard is white.
- Waterproof plasterboard: the special thing about it is the silicone embedded in the middle of the board. Thanks to it, this type of plasterboard does not deteriorate its performance characteristics in the presence of moisture. Its technical designation is GKI. The color of the plasterboard boards is green. It is suitable for rooms with high humidity.
- Fire-resistant plasterboard: meets the requirements for fire safety. In the core of the plasterboard are embedded fibers that prevent the spread of fire. The color of this type of plasterboard is typical for its characteristics - red. Its designation is GKF.
METHODS OF INSTALLING GYPSUM BOARD
There are two main methods of installing drywall. The first method is relatively simple and consists of gluing and leveling the sheets to the wall surface. The second and more common method is installation using a metal structure. This technology requires more theoretical and practical training, as well as the appropriate machines and tools suitable for the purpose. However, it allows for great freedom of action. Adding to this, its easy painting, drywall can make your fantasies a reality. This material provides unlimited possibilities for implementing the most daring and original projects and developments such as suspended ceilings, partitions, shelves, racks, even mini-bar stands. Thanks to drywall, professional installers are able to give your home a unique individual look.
GYPSUM OR PLASTER? SEE THE PROS AND CONS OF THEM
Drywall is a worthy competitor to putty, but both solutions have a number of advantages and disadvantages. It is for this reason that many people sometimes think for a long time about the question - drywall or putty? In fact, both options are good in their own way.
Advantages of drywall:
- Minimum dirt and waste: you will not find dirty and wet marks on the floor, as the material has a dry structure and does not require moistening at all.
- Easy to work with and install: even amateurs in construction and repair work can handle leveling the walls. A little more difficult, but not impossible, is the ceiling cladding.
- Fire resistance: the type marked GKF provides fire protection for the walls.
- Ability to absorb moisture: the walls can "breathe" and conditions for the development of fungi will not be created.
- Energy-saving and soundproofing properties.
Disadvantages of drywall:
- Reduction of usable area: the metal grid for installation takes up part of the room space.
- Carrying out several repair works: wall cladding is only one stage of the work, after which the seams must be puttied and a reinforcing layer must be applied.
- Low impact resistance.
Advantages of screed:
- Durability: if the repair work is carried out correctly, following the instructions for dilution of the solution and technologies, it allows us to forget about the problem of an uneven wall for at least 20 years.
- High impact resistance: the ceiling and walls, leveled with putty, become strong, maximally reliable and resistant to impacts.
Disadvantages of screed:
- Heavy pollution.
- Lots of time to lay.
- Execution errors are not immediately noticeable.
WHAT DO WE OFFER?
We have trusted the products of the leading manufacturer in the industry, KNAUF. In our store you can find all three types of drywall: regular, waterproof and fireproof.
We also offer plasterboard of the TECHNOGIPS brand.
