Gypsum Board

Additional readings Unit 22

Chapters 70, 71
Carpentry Textbook
Gypsum Board (wallboard, Plaster board,
Sheetrock)
most commonly - Drywall

Composition-

• Panels- Gypsum core, encased in paper

• Finished face has a smooth finished paper

• Back side has a natural brown paper finish

• Comes in sheets, most commonly 4’ x 8’

• also available in 4-1/2’ W and varying

lengths (9,10,12,16’)
• Standard thicknesses ¼”, 3/8”, ½”, and 5/8”
Used extensively as interior finish

• A strong, high-quality, fire-resistant wall and ceiling covering.

Consider-
• Installing the interior finish covers up other work performed, so be sure all the
work―framing, insulating, and mechanicals―(and related inspections) are truly
complete before proceeding.
The long edges on a sheet of Drywall are Tapered

Tapered edge allows for smooth, seamless jointing

In walls and ceilings.

The short edges on a sheet of drywall are Square

Square edges joined together create a Butt Joint

which must be finished higher than the surface of
the board (more difficult to hide)
 Types of Drywall
Regular

Commonly used on walls and ceilings in new

constructions and renovations

Type ‘ X’ Firecode

• Greater resistance to fire due to core additive

• Required for shared walls in multi family

dwellings, offices hotels etc.
• Labeled on back or eased/ tapered edge
• Water-resistant (MR)
Moisture and mold resistant

- Green or Violet color

- Used for areas subject to considerable moisture

such as:

- Backing for tub and shower tiles

- Ceilings in tubs and showers
- Behind Kit counters

Not for use

-Areas continuously wet/ subject to high humidity
- Exterior applications
• Ceiling Drywall (CD)

Glass fibers in the gypsum

Resists sag due to gravity and moisture
Available in Type ‘X’
 Cement Board
Resists water penetration

Does NOT deteriorate when wet

(suitable for high moisture areas)

Standard Sizes: 32 or 36” x 5’ x ½”

(4’ x 8’ also available) as well 1/4”, 5/16”, 5/8”

Use corrosion resistant fasteners

Best product to use as a backing for tile

O.B.C 9.29.10.4
MR Drywall can be used behind tile in tubs and showers
 Methods of attachment
Nails can be used for the attachment
of drywall or metal corners

Important to Dimple the board with your hammer

Allows for a flush finish (like the tapered edges)

 Screws
A special Drywall Gun is used Different types of screws are used
For different applications
• Adjustable nose piece sets screws to the correct
depth without breaking the paper

* Penetration:

Type G MIN 1/2” drywall

base layer

Important: A screw that misses should be removed Type W MIN 5/8” into wood
And the area dimpled with a hammer. framing
(creates a Flush finish instead of crowned)
 Adhesives
Different types of adhesives are used
For different applications

Drywall adhesives.
Stud adhesives.
Laminating adhesives.
Joint compound.
 Won’t eliminate the need
For fasteners

Contact adhesives.
 Applied to both surfaces
 Permanent bond
(can’t be removed)
 Can eliminate need for
screws
 Storage and Handling
Don’t bring drywall to the job site until needed
Handle carefully as its easily damaged
(corners break, paper face gets torn etc.)

Panels can be stored flat as shown.

(this is how you’ll see them at warehouses)

Some people prefer to spread around the jobsite

often leaning up against the walls in the rooms where
they will be used,
 Cutting and Fitting
• Measure accurately.
• Score face side of board, guiding knife with a drywall T-square.
• May be cut flat as shown in photo
• Many installers prefer to cut the sheets standing as seen
in the video
• Break board along scored face.
• Score back paper along the fold.
• Cut pieces 1/4” small (forcing may cause sheets to break)

Click here for video demonstration

If you need to cut an inside corner (L Shaped piece)
Cut the shortest distance with a drywall saw
(or hand saw that you don’t intend to use for wood later)
then the other side of the corner can be made as a regular
cut.

* When you need to cut off a small amount close to

the edge of the
sheet, you’ll need to score both the front and the
back of the sheet
before trying to snap the piece
Strongback
Nailing options

Hand pressure should be applied on the panel,

Next to the fastener being driven

Ensures tight contact with the framing member

 O.B.C. and Drywall- Screw attachment
9.29.5.9 For single layer application

• For framing members spaced 16 inches (400 mm) OC.

• Screws are spaced

• 12 inches (300 mm) OC on ceilings
• 16 inches (400 mm) OC on walls
• If framing members are spaced 24 inches (600 mm) OC

• Screws are spaced a maximum of 12 inches (300 mm) OC on both walls and ceilings.
• Ceilings supported by wallboard at the perimeter considered equivalent to screw in that location

• Screws must be a maximum of 10mm from the side or edge of sheets

 Adhesives
Different types of adhesives are used
For different applications

Drywall adhesives.
Stud adhesives.
Laminating adhesives.
Joint compound.
 Won’t eliminate the need
For fasteners

Contact adhesives.
 Applied to both surfaces
 Permanent bond
(can’t be removed)
 Can eliminate need for
screws
 Arden Van Norman performed a simple test to prove that drywall is stronger with the grain than across it. He
cut one 1-ft. by 4-ft. piece from the end of a panel and one from the side, as shown in the drawing. Stacking
bricks in the middle of each piece quickly shows that the end piece is much weaker than the side one.
Drywall is approximately three times stronger in the long direction. Accordingly, drywall hung perpendicular
to the framing members is stronger than drywall hung parallel, so it is less likely to sag.

* If run parallel to joists all edges must be fully supported on framing

 Sequence of Installation
1. Ceilings are done first
• The wall board then supports the
edges of the ceiling
2 Upper portion of the walls

3 Lower portion of walls

• some installers prefer to run wall
sheets vertically but ceilings are still
done first.

The image shows how the wall board is used to support the ceiling but also note:

* This screw placement can help to reduce cracking at the corner joints in the event of truss uplift
by allowing a little flex at the perimeter of the ceilings. If the ceiling board is screwed to close to the
wall it will move with the truss; it cannot flex.
#1 Ceilings

Put cut edges against the walls

Avoid or remove screw “misses”

Work smarter, not Harder

Ceiling Aides
A Drywall Panel Lifter (left)
• can be used to raise and hold sheets firmly against the ceiling
• Some lifts can be used to hold drywall for the top course of the walls

A Deadman (right)

• Can be made from standard construction

Materials.
• Provides support, but not for lifting the
sheets
• Is often used in combination with the
Panel Lift
• May also be used without the lift but two
or more people are needed to raise the
panel into position
 Good Installation practices
Drive Fasteners straight into the lumber
Remove screw “misses” and dimple the area
 Walls- Installation practices

• Use the longest possible sheet that will fit the area
• Minimizes the number of Butt joints (easier to finish)
• Staggering the Butt joints will also make finishing easier
• Number of Butt joints can be reduced by placing them above and below
windows or above doors

• Avoid placing joints on both sides of the same stud (opposite sides of a
partition)

*Avoid placing drywall joints at the ends of window and door headers
• Likely to develop a crack
 Walls- Installation practices
• Top row first

• Don’t make too tight (-1/4”)

• Be sure top edge is tight against ceiling

• Fasten, Repeat

• Bottom row next

Place Cut edge down towards floor

Lift with a foot lifter- ensures tight fit against the upper sheet

Fasten and Repeat

 Cutouts

• Measure accurately/ cut once

• Measure from a square/ level line

• Ceiling or sheet edge down

• Not from floor up