Drywall is a building material used to finish interior walls and ceilings. It was not produced commercially until after World War II, although it has been around since at least the early 20th century. Gypsum plaster was applied to cloth or paper during construction in the 1920s and later manufactured as drywall panels with the paper facing bonded between gypsum plaster panels. Today, there are many different brands of drywall available on the market including no-fiberglass boards, fiberglass boards, and fire-rated boards such as Type X1 (2 hours) or Type X2 (3 hours).

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Definition of drywall

Drywall, also known as plasterboard, wallboard, and gypsum board, is a building material used to finish interior walls and ceilings. It can be installed over most surfaces including concrete and some types of existing walls.

It provides a smooth surface for painting or covering with wallpaper. It is typically composed of a layer of gypsum plaster sandwiched between two layers of paper or fiberglass matting on the sides. The name drywall came about because it was originally used without an adhesive; instead, it was applied “dry” to the wallā€”hence no need for any liquids like paint or glue!

Drywall is a building material that’s used to cover the interior walls of houses. When a house is being constructed, the installer puts up sheets of drywall that are connected to the wooden or metal frame of the house by nails or screws. Drywall is installed after the frame is built, but before any other materials are added to complete your home.

It can be installed on all four sides of any kind of frame: horizontal (i.e., walls), vertical (i.e., ceilings), and even diagonal (i.e., partitions). It can also be installed floor-to-ceiling in one room or throughout an entire houseā€”the only limitation is your imagination!

Procedure

After the drywall is installed, it must be painted or covered with wallpaper. This gives a completed look to the house. Drywall can also be used as a sound barrier to prevent noise from traveling between rooms.

Size of drywall

Drywall sheets are usually 4 by 8 feet, but they come in various thicknesses based on how much insulation they provide. The thicker the material, the more expensive it is. A thicker layer of drywall would be harder to cut and hang but is better for sound absorption and energy efficiency.

History

Drywall has been around since at least the early 1900s, but was not produced commercially until after World War II. In the 1920s and 1930s, wood lath (thin strips of wood attached to studs) was used to build interior walls. By the 1940s, the use of gypsum board panels began to spread in both residential and commercial construction applications.

In 1950, drywall became more popular as contractors discovered that it was easier to install than lath; gypsum board had fewer layers than lath so it required less labor time and materials; it could be nailed directly onto framing members instead of being screwed or wired into place; once installed, it could be painted or textured right away without waiting for any type of drying period like plaster requires; lastly but most importantly – drywall doesn’t shrink!

FAQ

What’s the difference between sheetrock and drywall?

Drywall is a flat panel made of gypsum plaster sandwiched in between two sheets of thick paper. It adheres to metal or wood studs using nails or screws. Sheetrock is a specific brand of the drywall sheet. These terms are often used interchangeably.

Is drywall better than plywood?

Aside from being less fire-resistant, more expensive, and harder to work with, plywood is the more durable of the two materials.

What thickness drywall should I use?

1/2-inch drywall is the most versatile board and the most common thickness for the 16-inch on-center interior walls in most homes.