As a drywall company it should be no surprise that we get a lot of inquiries about drywall. For many people, drywall is often their first and only choice for wall coverings. However, there are other options available that should always be considered before making any final decision. Here are the things you should think about when you ask the question – Is drywall right for me?

Home or building owners might be very concerned with aesthetics for good reason. Wall coverings like wood paneling, stone, or tile can provide a unique and decorative look to a room that you can’t accomplish using drywall alone. Other issues that might need to be considered are the durability of materials. Also, insulation or energy concerns will play a role in how your space is used.

Certain wall coverings, such as stone or tile, are more durable than drywall and better able to withstand damage from moisture, impact, or fire. With regards to insulation, some wall materials, such as insulation-backed paneling, can provide better insulation than drywall. This can lead to meaningful energy savings, which is a major consideration in these times of high energy costs and energy efficient building.

Another consideration that is often overlooked is ease of maintenance. Keeping your walls looking their best is especially important in kitchens, laundry rooms and entrance halls. These high traffic areas often experience liquid hazards. Sometimes drywall alone is not the best choice for these types of areas. Wall coverings like vinyl wallpaper for example, are easier to clean and maintain than painted drywall.

In summary, the choice of wall covering can be very important and will often depend on the specific requirements and use of a space, as well as the individual preferences of the homeowner or builder.

Make sure to consider all your options wisely before making a final decision. Click here to learn more about what we do.

Too many people just rush into an endeavour, whether it be a home project, a special meal or working out at the gym forgetting that preparation is a critical step in any undertaking.

The same holds true for your drywall project and with proper preparation the job will be much easier, and the end result will shine. Prior to drywalling, it is vital to make sure the walls are flat, and the framing is true which this is critically important for any successful drywall project. This is especially relevant for home renovation projects where, over time, studs or rafters may have developed a bow or cup which must be worked to make them flat. This can be accomplished with a hand-held planer for bowing, and with the use of shims for cupped framing.

To check your work, use a string or a laser to help determine how true your walls are before hanging any drywall. Another important framing consideration, prior to attaching drywall, is that all end joints need to be firmly supported which may require adding an extra stud, especially for inside corners.

Likewise, framing around windows and doors also requires a fastening surface for drywall in order to ensure good attachment. Always remember, good preparation will result in a superior result.

I’m a big history buff and always like to know where things, like drywall in this case, began. Drywall (also called plasterboard or gypsum board) is a panel made of calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum) extruded between thick sheets of facer and backer paper. Even though drywall can be traced back to the late 19th century it didn’t become prevalent until the middle of the 20th century when it became a time and labor saving alternative to lath and plaster.

Sources differ on the exact beginnings of drywall, but most acknowledge the first plasterboard was invented in 1894 by Augustine Sackett and Fred Kane, graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and was made by layering plaster within four plies of wool felt paper. Gypsum was introduced to the process between 1910 and 1930 and in North America the first real commercial efforts behind what we now know as drywall were led by the United States Gypsum Corporation.

Today the global drywall market is estimated to be worth more than US$25 billion annually and, on the back of continuing growth in worldwide residential and commercial construction, is projected to grow at an annual rate of 8% for the foreseeable future. There are a number of companies in the gypsum and drywall business, but the major players include USG Corporation, Georgia-Pacific LLC, American Gypsum Company and the China National Building Materials Company.

For anyone interested in taking a deeper dive into the history of drywall this is an excellent article. https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/07/an-exciting-history-of-drywall/493502/

Good drywall is an inexpensive wall finish. In the hands of an experienced professional, it can be put up quickly and easily. In this post we’re going to answer the question: “Why use drywall?”

One of the beauties of drywall is that is neutral with good sound proofing and insulation qualities. It can also be painted or, if you prefer, covered with wallpaper, wood paneling and other wall treatments. Completing a drywall job does not require large cumbersome equipment requiring staging which is typical of other construction jobs. This is important as it means that for repair jobs your drywall crew can work around your home without having to worry about damaging your precious home.

For many new builds or renovations, seeing the drywall completed is when one can properly visualize the space and see how it all fits together as a floor plan. It is an exciting and important step in the construction process and Vancouver Drywall is always available to help. Click to learn more about what we do.