What is Drywall Anyway?

Drywall goes by many names, including gypsum wallboard, plasterboard and sheetrock. By any name, drywall is gypsum plaster sandwiched between heavy sheets of paper. Each board is 4 feet wide to fit a standard 16" frame width. Length varies from 6" to 16". Drywall also comes in a variety of thickness' to match your application. If you are covering an existing ceiling or wall, 1/4" is commonly used. For new 2-ply construction, 3/8" drywall is used, and for new single-ply construction, 1/2" and 5/8" is used. As you may expect, you'll get better sound proofing and fire resistance from a 5/8" board. You'll find gypsum drywall with square, tapered or beveled edges. The tapered and beveled edges let you fill and tape quickly and easily, for invisible seams. Installing Your Drywall Make sure your framing is true, with standard 16" centers. If your work is not square, a quality drywall job will be very difficult. Start with the ceiling first, installing your drywall at right angles to your ...