Which drywall is better

08-05-2018

Useful

Drywall has become a versatile material and a find for the builder. With it, you can perform a huge amount of work, ranging from the alignment of the walls and ending with the creation of interior partitions. At the same time, going to the market for the material, it is necessary to take into account that there are many types of this material and it is necessary to decide which one is better for you in advance. To make the right choice and choose the optimal type for a particular purpose, you should study its characteristics and features.

Plasterboard

Gypsum belongs to the category of natural minerals, which began to be mined in ancient times. Plasterboard construction is presented in the form of large rectangular sheets of different thickness. What is he like? First, it can be sheets having a different thickness. Installation of thin sheets will be easier, and the design will be easier. For ceilings this is the best option, especially when it comes to suspended ceilings. For walls suitable sheet thickness of 12.5 mm. It should be borne in mind that for rooms with high humidity, for example, a kitchen and a bathroom, you will need a moisture resistant type. The remaining rooms can be sheathed with normal plasterboard.

The main advantages of the material:

high environmental friendliness (93% consists of gypsum);
supports the specified microclimate;
used for finishing walls and ceilings, as well as creating partitions and arched openings;
does not affect the human body and animals;
affordable cost;
ease of installation;
The level of acidity is almost identical to the indicator of human skin.

There is a list of shortcomings that should be considered when choosing a drywall:

compared with similar materials has lower strength;
when performing a high volume finish, it is necessary to carry out additional reinforcement of the structure;
when installing sheets of drywall in rooms with high humidity should not only choose the appropriate type of material, but also to carry out additional processing of special primers and solutions;
In the process of cutting sheets (if you need to cut a complex shape), you need to take care of your own protection - wear a respirator and goggles.

The metal frame will increase the durability and increase the operational life; wood in this case is inferior to it.

Classification

There are several types of drywall:

Normal (FCL). Universal type, which is used in rooms of all types, which do not require increased moisture resistance.
Flame-retardant (GKLO). In production, filament yarns are used for reinforcement, and cardboard is treated with flame retardants.
Moistureproof (GKLV). Such a drywall is treated with hydrophobic compounds, as well as means that prevent the development of the fungus.
Fire and moisture resistant (GKLVO). It is a combination of the two types described above. When working with moisture-resistant sheets they will need to be further protected from the outside with tiles, primer or paint.

In order not to get confused, the manufacturers decided to paint each type of sheets in a specific color:

common gray;
pink or gray with a red stripe - fire resistant;
moisture resistant - green and blue.

In addition, there are several more varieties:

Restoration - facing of old structures is carried out. Suitable for both walls and ceiling.
Laminated - on the front side is covered with a protective PVC film. Bad breathing.
Reinforced - fiberglass is added during production.
Acoustic - soundproof material.
Arched - the thickness is not more than 6.5 mm, which causes high flexibility.

After installation, before carrying out the next step of finishing, sheets must be primed from the front side.

The size

All standard sheets have a rectangular shape, but the parameters of the sheets are different:

length - 2–4 m;
width - 0.6–1.2 m;
thickness - 6–12.5 mm.

The length has a strict pitch of 50 cm: 2 m, 2.5 m, 3 m, etc. The most popular and most frequently purchased is a three-meter sheet. With it, you can easily sew the entire wall in height at once, which facilitates the installation process. The width in most cases is standard - 1.2 m, but also small sheets are on sale.

Moisture resistant has the following parameters: 1200/2500 / 12.5 mm. The arched type is represented by sheets 1200/2500/6 mm.

Thickness

As already mentioned, the thickness varies from 6 to 12.5 mm. It varies depending on the purpose of the material. The minimum thickness is set only for the arched drywall, which facilitates bending. It is specially treated with water in preparation for installation, to make it easier to give the desired shape.

When choosing material for the ceiling, preference is given to the average indicator - sheets 9.5 mm thick. Otherwise, due to the large weight of the sheets, an excessive load on the structure may be created. Drywall for walls has a standard thickness of 12.5 mm. It also has a moisture-proof look.

Weight

It is very important to take into account the weight, especially when it comes to complex design. In addition, the type of fastener, which will be fixed, will depend on the weight. Average values in accordance with three common thicknesses show this result per 1 m²:

6.5 mm thick - 5 kg;
thickness 9.5 mm - 7.5 kg;
thickness 12.5 mm - 9.5 kg.

Edge

Not all drywall sheets have even and smooth edges. So, the longitudinal edge can be represented by several options:

Direct (PC). It is used for dry installation when laying the joints is not foreseen. These include multi-layered trim.
Drowned from the front (CC). After installation, it is necessary to putty the joints using reinforcing tape. Time consuming and costly process.
Semicircular front side (PLC). Reinforcing tape and a small amount of putty are quite enough to connect the joints.
Semicircular and thinned from the front (PLUK). Joints are fastened in a similar pattern of 3 types.
Rounded (S). Filling of seams is carried out in 2 stages of puttying.

If you carry out cutting of plates, then a straight edge is formed on the cut without a protective layer. To facilitate the process of sealing seams in this case, the cut is treated with a plane, it is also permissible to use a knife to form a chamfer.

What to look for

To determine exactly which sheet of material to choose, it is necessary first of all to be guided by its intended use, since a certain type will correspond to each type of work. Secondly, the size of the sheet and its thickness are selected. Before you go to the market or to the hardware store, you need to decide on these points:

type of work;
sheet thickness and length;
weight;
edge type;
manufacturer;
price.

It’s best to write everything down on a piece of paper and take it with you so you don’t forget anything. Beginners should pay attention to the advice of professionals:

Cardboard should not peel off the gypsum even at the corners.
Transporting thin sheets can be problematic, as if it is not properly secured, it will break.
Pay attention to the color that says about the type.
The thickness of the sheets will depend on the type of work, type of building and operating conditions.

Drywall with an average pH level will not cause allergies when working with the material. In addition, it can be used for children's rooms.

Drywall is a common building material that is used for many types of work. Which type is better and more suitable for the performance of certain works, the buyer decides. No one will give a clear answer, as each case is individual.

Video

See which drywall is better to buy, so that the seams at the joints do not crack: