At first glance, drywall isn’t a particularly fascinating building material. Yet the material is a real sweetheart when building beautiful, immaculate walls or ceilings. Whether you’re building a new home or simply renovating your existing home, drywall is the icing on the cake that makes the entire impression. However, with so many alternatives available, it can take time to choose the right drywall. But don’t worry; with a little understanding of the different types of drywall, you can select an ideal drywall for your project. And the final product will be a “wall-to-wall” quality. So, take a leaf out of this book and discover more about the different types of drywall materials before seeking a Fort Worth drywall repair service.
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The Densities Of Drywall
Drywall comes in different thicknesses, each of which serves a specific function. They are necessary to protect your home against fire and insulate against sound. It is worth noting that the smallest drywall panel measures a quarter of an inch, which is ideal for use in curved walls. Because of its thinness, it is more resilient, especially when wet. When you cure the dry walls, the finish takes the form of normal drywall.
Typical drywall is one-half inch thick. Contractors utilize most residential and commercial walls to protect your property from fire for half an hour. Frequent installation of multiple layers in rooms or regions that require additional protection. You can use 5/8-inch drywall for additional fire protection and soundproofing. It has a fire resistance of one hour and is in panels to provide additional protection.
The Most Common Drywalls
Numerous varieties of drywall are generally distinguished by the color of the paper surrounding the drywall. The differences arise from the use of a range of paper, as well as chemical incorporation into a slurry. Here are some of the most popular dry walls;
1. Standard Drywalls
Standard drywall, also known as a whiteboard, is popular for ceilings and siding in commercial and residential buildings. The most common thickness for residential purposes is one-half inch. The most common board size for drywall is 4′ x 8′, although manufacturers produce it in sizes up to 16′ for high ceilings. For modest renovations and to ensure that the panels are easier to transport, renovation stores offer 2′ × 2′ drywall panels.
2. Fire Resistant Drywalls
Fire-resistant drywall is ideal for sheds or basements near potentially explosive materials. They contain glass fibers that retard the spread of flames and don’t burn as quickly as conventional plaster. Category C and X fire-resistant drywall are available. Category X provides up to one hour of fire protection. It’s also 5/8″ thick. You can install it in multiple sheets if necessary to provide additional protection. Category C is the same as Category X but doesn’t contract in high heat. It’s especially ideal for protecting blankets from falling during fires.
3. Mold-Resistant Drywalls
Mold-resistant drywall, also known as the green board, has a thicker paper backing than ordinary drywall and is coated with wax for better moisture resistance. Further, mold-resistant drywalls have a non-organic fiberglass mesh that deprives mold growth of food-paperless drywall. Often, mold-resistant drywall is best suited for kitchens, laundry areas, washrooms, and tile trims. In addition, mold-resistant clay is also an option. It’s worth noting that moisture-resistant drywall is different from mold-resistant drywall. Both serve different purposes.
4. Acoustic Drywalls
While every drywall has some sound-absorbing properties, acoustic drywall uses more polymers, wood fibers, and gypsum to improve STC (sound transmission class) over traditional drywall. STC is a measurement comparable to the Richter number that indicates how much vibration the materials can absorb. Acoustic drywall applies when additional sound insulation is necessary, such as between living spaces and common walls. They’re heavier and more difficult to handle than conventional drywall.
5. Plasterboard
Plasterboard, often called blue board, is a base for plaster treatments, similar to plaster walls and battens in battens. Plasterboard also requires a light coating or layers of plaster to be applied to the entire surface. Since the top coat is absorbent, the finish plaster adheres better to drywall. It’s ideal for older houses to simulate plaster and foam.
6. Drywall That Absorbs VOCs
Drywall that absorbs VOC (volatile organic compounds) is a relatively new product that retains and renders harmless VOC and related compounds in drywall. These compounds come from various building materials and cleaning products you use daily. Further, drywalls will continue functioning for at least 75 years after being painted and coated with a lightweight wall sealer.
To conclude, there are several types of drywalls on the market, each with different characteristics and applications. Additionally, each type of drywall offers several advantages, so it is important to hire a competent professional to help you choose the right drywall for your individual needs.
