The 3 Main Types of Drywall

Although there are various forms of drywall available on the market, all of which commonly used in various construction applications, there are 3 primary types to be familiar with. Continue reading to learn more about traditional drywall, gypsum board, and Chinese drywall, including which to choose for your intended project or remodel.

Indianapolis Indiana Drywall Contractors
Indianapolis Indiana Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

Drywall

Drywall is a construction material made from thin panels of gypsum board. It is used to construct walls and ceilings in residential and commercial structures. Drywall is also called wallboard, gypsum board, and plasterboard. It is called “drywall” because water is not required to use it for wall and ceiling construction.

Gypsum Board

Gypsum board is a universal term used to describe a family of panel-type products that retain a non-combustible core. Gypsum comes from the Greek term, “gypsos”, meaning plaster. It is a naturally-occurring mineral found in sedimentary rock formations. To acquire it, gypsum must be mined. Millions of tons of gypsum are mined every year in North America, and most of it is to manufacture drywall products. Gypsum contains large amounts of water bound in crystalline form, making it less prone to combustion. These boards are layered with gypsum rock and specialty paper material.

Chinese Drywall

Chinese drywall is a term used to reference an environmental health situation involving defective drywall material manufactured in China and imported to the United States in 2001. Laboratory testing revealed that the defective drywall emitted sulfurous gasses, including carbon disulfide, carbonyl sulfide, and hydrogen sulfide.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began investigating the effects of Chinese drywall in 2009, and concluded that there are short-term health implications from exposure, including respiratory problems, asthma irritations, sore throats, chronic headaches, and more. Long-term exposure can have health implications like chronic fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, dizziness, and more.

Do you need professional assistance or advice for your drywalling project? Contact Drywall by Local Builders at 317-269-7319 for professional drywall services and custom drywall texture in Indianapolis, Indiana.

You Should Also Read:

FAQS About Drywall Repair and Installation
Should I Install Basement Drywall On My Own?
How to Spot Improper Drywall Installation

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors
Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

Drywall Sealing Guide for Do It Yourself Homeowners

If you own a home, chances are you have drywall. Most homes and offices are constructed with sheetrock, gypsum board, or as we like to call it here in Indiana, drywall. The best way to ensure your drywall is protected and promote longevity is to seal it with a quality drywall sealer. If you are a hands-on, do-it-yourself (DIY) kind of person, you might be successful all on your own. Otherwise, please hire a professional drywall contractor for drywall sealing services.

For now, continue below for a guide to sealing drywall, including what you need and where to get professional assistance if you find the job too overwhelming after you begin.

Indianapolis Drywall Painting Contractors 317-269-7319
Indianapolis Drywall Painting Contractors 317-269-7319

Use a Quality Primer Paint for Sealing Drywall

Because the different layers of drywall, such as the tape, seams, and joint compound, have different porosity levels, it is necessary to properly seal them with a drywall sealer, which is just a good quality primer paint. You must choose a kind that is specifically for drywall, which usually comes in white or similar flat-like colors. If you are painting a dark color on the wall, you will use a darker primer. Talk to your home improvement or paint store clerk for advice on which primer is best for your intended application, as outdoor, semi-outdoor, and indoor drywall may require different needs depending on the region you live and more.

What You Need:

˃ Latex Primer Paint for Drywall
˃ 3/8 in. Rolling Brush
˃ 3 in. Hand Brush
˃ Painters’ Tape
˃ Paint Tray
˃ Tarp
˃ Large Sponge
˃ Protective Gear

How to Prepare for Drywall Sealing:

Dampen your sponge with clean water and wipe down the drywall. Eliminate any residual sand or dust from the installation and finishing.

Locate any wall burrs or holes, and sand and refill them. Then repeat step one.

Protect all of your molding, woodwork, and ceiling areas by lining them with your painters’ tape. Be sure to get electrical outlets and wall fixtures.

Cover the surrounding area, including furniture, appliances, fireplace, cabinets, carpeting, flooring, windows, and more, using your tarp. Plastic or cloth will do.

How to Seal Drywall:

Using your latex primer paint, begin by painting the edges and corners of your surface area. Then paint around all wall fixtures and outlets.

Paint the remaining walls using your rolling brush. Begin with vertical and diagonal strokes, creating a “W” or “M”, and then work your way from top to bottom filling in the spaces.

Although one coat is usually enough to suffice, it is recommended by most professionals to apply two full coats of primer paint to your drywall for a proper seal.

Are you looking for some professional help with drywall work? Contact Drywall by Local Builders at 317-269-7319 for professional drywall services in Indianapolis, Indiana.

You Should Also Read:

How to Pick the Perfect Paint Color
5 Steps to Properly Painting Over New Plasterboard
What Do I Need to Repair a Hole in the Wall

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors
Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

How to Hang Ceiling Drywall By Yourself

Do you have a ceiling drywall installation project that needs to get done ASAP, but you don’t have access to any helping hands? No problem! With a simple, easy-to-learn handyman hack, you can hang ceiling drywall all on your own, without a partner to assist in the heavy lifting! Continue reading to learn what to do.

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319
Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

DIY Drywall Hanging Tips and Tricks

If you plan to hang drywall on your own, it is important to be experienced. This is especially true for ceiling drywall. For beginners, any scope of drywall work is a difficult project, regardless of having help. So, when it comes to ceiling drywall, experience is even more vital. If you are planning to hang ceiling drywall, be sure you are experienced with drywall work before taking on the task alone.

How to Do it Alone

The trickiest part to hanging ceiling drywall without a partner to assist is holding the board to the ceiling while you are attaching it with your tools. In conventional drywall installation, one person would be supporting the board while the other secures it into place. However, when doing this part by yourself, all you need are the right tools to take the place of an assistant. Here is the secret:

To support the drywall board as you attach it to the ceiling, just get yourself a 2×4 piece of wood and some screws! Screw the 2×4 into the wall studs just below the ceiling, but leave just enough space to slide your gypsum board above, securing it into place.

There you have it! You are ready to install your drywall ceiling all on your own! Still unsure about the whole project? Simply hire a licensed and qualified Indianapolis drywall contractor for professional assistance you can trust!

Professional Drywall Installation in Indianapolis

Call Drywall by Local Builders at 317-269-7319 for affordable Indianapolis drywall grid ceilings service you can trust. We service all of Central Indiana, as well as the Metro Indy areas. We offer a wide range of residential and commercial drywall services, including new home construction, grid ceilings, metal stud framing, and more. Call 317-269-7319 for drywall repair and installation in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding locations today.

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors
Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

Routine Wall Maintenance Tips You Need to Know

Just like so many other assets and commodities in the home, walls require a certain level of routine maintenance. So if you want to maintain that level 5 drywall finish and professional paint job, you will need to learn the best methods for taking good care of your walls, and then adopt them as a permanent plan. This includes implementing regular upkeep and care.

Continue reading to learn what you need to know about getting started with routine wall maintenance, as well as, what to do when you are stuck with a wall-related problem.

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319
Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319

Odor Control

It is not reasonable, nor entirely possible, to change your life around in order to prevent your walls from absorbing everyday odors like cooking grease, smoke, pets, and more. But you can implement some strategies to help abate the absorption of such smells. For starters, you can choose a paint that is formulated to retain less odors. Otherwise, it is effective to simply clean your walls on a periodic basis. See our blog, “How to Remove Odors From Walls” for a step-by-step guide.

Stain Control

Aside from odors, your walls are also prone to stains. Everything from fingers and spills, to pet dander, dust, and more, can cause walls to stain or discolor. To remove a wall stain, use a chemical dry cleaning sponge, like Mr. Clean Magic Eraserâ, then finish by using a standard soft sponge and rubbing alcohol to gently wipe the wall clean.

Damage Control

A small defect can quickly evolve into a large one if it is not dealt with in a suitable time frame. A good approach to routine wall maintenance is to stay ahead of drywall and ceiling repairs. Have a hole patched up as soon as it happens, and have cracks filled when they begin to spread. This will prevent a small problem from turning into an invasive, time-intensive, costly drywall repair.

Professional Drywall Service and Repair

Call Drywall by Local Builders at 317-269-7319 for affordable Indianapolis drywall repair and installation services you can trust. We service all of Central Indiana, as well as the Metro Indy areas. We offer a wide range of residential and commercial drywall services, including new home construction, grid ceilings, metal stud framing, and more. Call 317-269-7319 for drywall repair and installation in Indianapolis, IN and its surrounding locations today.

Indianapolis Drywall Contractors
Indianapolis Drywall Contractors 317-269-7319