Recently, a truly unique in its kind finishing material drywall is gaining more and more popularity. And this is not surprising, because with it you can level walls, design a ceiling surface, mount built-in wardrobes and shelves, and create partitions of any geometry. Each design requires not only careful design, but also the correct choice of drywall.
Features of the
The classic version of the material is a sheet obtained by pressing, consisting of a gypsum core and two layers of cardboard, covering the main layer on both sides. The modification or varieties of gypsum board depend on the scope of its application, which is fundamental in the development of the sheet thickness.
According to the classification, the thickness of the product determines the place of use. Wall view drywall is one of the most common types of this material. Wall cladding, the creation of an interior partition is carried out using this particular type. The thickness of the wall sheet depends on the loads imposed on it.
If the partition being built will perform only a decorative function in the future, then it is not necessary to install dense sheets, you can restrict yourself to less thick ones in comparison with the copies mounted on the wall or intended for installation in an interior partition with a door.
Ceiling view drywall in comparison with wall has a smaller thickness, and there is a simple explanation. The material, regardless of the type of structure, is attached to the suspended frame, therefore, in order to prevent the structure from collapsing, the weight of the sheets should be less than that of specimens intended for partitions and leveling walls.
The most subtle types include arched plasterboard … It is used if you want to make a structure with curved shapes. Due to the smallest thickness compared to ceiling and wall types of drywall, which allows it to bend, it is possible to assemble models with wavy, domed or round shapes. With the help of an arched gypsum board, you can create structures with even the smallest bending radius without creases. This type differs from all others not only in thickness, but also in composition, instead of a paper interlayer, it has layers of fiberglass, giving strength to the sheet, and also affecting its weight.
There are other parameters that characterize drywall and affect its thickness. Depending on the climatic parameters and the functions assigned to the design, the GCR includes various components, thanks to which the sheet acquires resistance to various types of impact.
Moisture resistant sheet marked as VGKL and has a green surface. It is used for structures installed in rooms with high humidity levels. Its resistance to water is explained by the presence of an impregnated impregnation in the composition of a waterproofing solution, which stops the rate of moisture absorption and antifungal agents that prevent the appearance of mold. The use of VGKL in bathrooms, swimming pools, saunas is also justified by the fact that it has a sufficient thickness that allows the surface to be tiled with ceramic tiles or artificial stone.
Flame retardant type of sheet, marked by manufacturers as GKLO, is pink. The composition, in addition to gypsum, includes components such as fiberglass and clay, and there is also a liquid in the form of crystals. Each component has its own purpose. Crystallized liquid prevents the spread of fire, and fiberglass and clay help to maintain shape after the cardboard layers are burnt. The fire resistance of such a sheet is within 45 minutes from the moment of ignition. This type of sheet is used if you need to make a ventilation shaft, an air duct, a portal for a fireplace or a box for electrical wires.
Sheets marked with GKLVO have all the qualities characteristic of moisture-resistant and fire-resistant types.
It belongs to a special kind gypsum fiber sheet or gypsum fiber board, characterized by increased strength. In addition to gypsum, it contains cellulose fibers, thanks to which it is able to withstand significant weight loads. Another distinctive feature of the fibrous product is the absence of cardboard layers. A type of ordinary fibrous sheet is GVLV, which can withstand not only significant loads, but also is resistant to moisture.
The listed types of drywall belong to the main groups, more in demand and more often used. But there are other types in which the thickness is of particular importance, since the scope of their application is specific. As part of such sheets, there are additional layers that determine their purpose. Sound insulators, heat insulators, absorbers of electromagnetic waves, as well as products with a wind protection function used in cladding of buildings, have a dense structure and have a higher indicator of thickness compared to conventional sheets.
Advantages and disadvantages
Plasterboard sheets take a leading position among other finishing materials by no means by chance, they have many positive qualities, thanks to which they gained their popularity.
It is quite simple to work with them; a person without special professional skills can handle the installation of a conventional structure. It is easy to cut and screw it to the frame, the main thing is to make the preliminary marks correctly. Thanks to various types of sheets, it is possible to assemble not only boxes that are simple in shape, level walls and ceilings, but also build beautiful partitions with arches, mount two- and sometimes three-level ceilings, using specimens of different thickness for this.
Plasterboard sheets, regardless of the scope of application, are lightweight, and therefore the structures erected from them do not put pressure on the floors if the installation is carried out in an apartment, and do not have a negative effect on the foundation if the structure is installed in a private house.
Regardless of the components that make up the gypsum plasterboard, this material is fireproof, because the basis of any sheet is gypsum, and it does not belong to combustible materials, on the contrary, it contributes to the attenuation of an open flame and does not spread it to other materials. Fire safety is the main argument in favor of the construction of fireproof partitions in the premises.
Any types of drywall, regardless of thickness and purpose, belong to environmentally friendly finishing materials, they do not contain components harmful to human health, which means that gypsum plasterboard structures can be mounted in any premises.
But this material has its drawbacks. Due to the fact that gypsum is the basis of drywall, its strength is not as great as we would like. It will not work to use the surface of the sheet for hanging objects with an impressive mass. Solid wood shelves with a lot of books, wall cabinets, plasma screens and other items weighing more than 10 kg usually require special fasteners, and if the weight of the object is more than 35 kg, then fastening is possible only to more durable materials.
Do not forget that gypsum, which is the basis of any sheet, has a high degree of hydrophobicity, so there is always a risk of losing its shape due to soaking.
Even moisture-resistant sheets, with direct and prolonged contact with water, can lose their rigidity, not to mention ordinary gypsum boards, therefore all types of structures built using gypsum plasterboard should be indoors.
Dimensions (edit)
The scope of application of drywall is very extensive. Given this fact, manufacturers produce sheets of different thicknesses, widths and lengths. When buying sheets, it is necessary to take into account all the parameters and select the material based on the location of the future structure.
Plasterboard sheets do not differ in a special variety in width and length. The length of sheets produced by manufacturers today is within 2-4 m. Such a run is due to the difference in the height of the ceilings in houses. The height of 2.5 m is considered standard, but products with a length of 2.7 and 3 m are no less popular and in demand. Less often on sale there are specimens with a length of 3.5-4 m, they are usually made to order.
There are two types of sheets in width - they are 0.6 and 1.2 m. The less popular and demanded width is 0.6 m. The second value of 1.2 m is found and used more often, therefore it is considered to be the standard.
The spread in thickness of gypsum plasterboard sheets is in the range of 6-24 mm, but there are also more dense products, used mainly for finishing floors, their thickness reaches 50 mm (maximum). The thinnest specimens have a wall thickness of 6-6.5 mm (minimum value) and are used to build structures with bends on the ceiling surface.
For walls, sheets are used with a thickness of 12-16 mm, and for the ceiling, 9.5 mm is enough. The optimum thickness for plasterboard construction is considered to be 12.5 mm.
The use of sheets of different thickness, depending on the location, makes sense, because the thicker it is, the more weight it has, which means that the higher the structure, the thinner the sheets will be required for installation.
How to choose?
In order to choose the right drywall, first of all, its purpose and the planned load on it are taken into account.
If you need to install a structure in the bathroom, then it is best to purchase moisture resistant sheets (GKLV). The thickness of the product should be selected according to the location. For niches and partitions, sheets from 12.5 mm to 15 mm are most suitable, and for ceiling surfaces, sheets no more than 9.5 mm thick with a similar moisture resistance. Do not reinsure yourself by using products with a thickness of more than 9.5 mm for the ceiling surface, since there is a possibility of collapse of the installed structure, because sheets with a thickness of 12.5 mm have a greater weight. In addition, their cost is slightly higher, which means that much more money will be spent on the purchase of material, and in the event of a collapse, it will be wasted.
To create a two-level ceiling with curves and arches, it is worth purchasing a special thin arched drywall, and for boxes with simple shapes, a regular ceiling is suitable.
For outdoor work and in rooms with a high degree of humidity, moisture resistant gypsum fiber sheets (GVLV) are more suitable.
When selecting sheets by thickness, you need to pay attention to the edge of the material. It is not by chance that different types of edgebanding are produced by manufacturers. The subsequent processing of the joints depends on what type of edge the sheet has.
Instances with a straight edge are needed if the structure's cladding is conceived as two-layer, and they are used as an inner layer, where it is not required to glue and putty the joints. Products with a thinned edge are purchased if it is planned to use reinforced tape at the joints in the future. For sheets with a rounded edge 5 mm wide, the use of a reinforced tape at the joints is not necessary, if you do not plan to apply a putty to the entire surface of the sheet.
When selecting sheets, it is important not only to take into account their purpose and location, but also to correctly calculate their consumption. Knowing the area of the sheathing structure, it will not be at all difficult to do this.
A 5x 2.5 m plasterboard partition has an area of 12.5 m², and the area of one standard sheet of 1.2x 2.5 m is 3 m². In order to form a partition, the frame is sheathed on both sides, which means that the area covered with sheets doubles and becomes equal to 25m². The number of sheets required is calculated as follows: 25: 3x1.2 (correction factor). The resulting number is rounded up, in our case 10 sheets will be required.
If the structure needs to be sheathed in two layers, then the area of the structure must be multiplied by 4. For ceiling surfaces, the consumption is calculated in the same way, and for mounting the sides located around the perimeter, a few more cm are added, usually 10-12 for each sheet width.
Tips & Tricks
The choice of high-quality gypsum plasterboard should be approached very thoroughly and extremely deliberately.
Focusing on the parameters when buying sheets, you should know exactly not only the amount of material, but also take into account the dimensions of the room in which the structure is mounted … In small rooms with low ceilings and small floor space, it is very difficult to work with large sheets. It is better to purchase products with standard dimensions, especially if the structure to be installed does not have a pronounced specificity. In addition, the cost of such sheets is much lower than that of large-sized copies.
For the same reason, you should not spend money on products with specific properties, if there is no reason for it. Fire-resistant and moisture-resistant material is more expensive than usual, and the sheathing of the structure, which is located in a dry and remote place from fire and water, will give nothing but extra expenses. It is better to purchase ordinary drywall with a thickness corresponding to the location.
You should buy drywall from proven and well-established firms specializing in building materials and providing a long-term warranty, subject to operational standards.
You should not purchase material in spontaneous markets, there is a risk of a purchase that does not meet the declared technical characteristics, and storage conditions in such places, as a rule, are violated, which invariably leads to a decrease in product quality, which, in turn, affects the service life of the entire constructions.
For the partition of the smallest thickness: 50mm and the installation of drywall, see the following video.