What is Drywall?

Countless people see drywall everyday without even realizing it. Drywall, also known as sheetrock, plasterboard, wallboard, or gypsum wallboard exists in nearly every modern building structure. Drywall is commonly used to construct walls and ceilings in buildings and can be textured using a variety of techniques.

The Composition of Drywall

Natural drywall is made primarily from gypsum, a sand-like mineral found in massive beds. A famous gypsum bed is the White Sands National Monument located in New Mexico. It was originally known as “Sackett Board” and was first produced by the U.S. Gypsum Company (USG) in 1916. Drywall is constructed after gypsum is mined and transported to a factory.

In a factory, raw gypsum is mixed with additives, such as paper pulp, starch, and a thickening agent. This gypsum mixture is blended with water to make a thick paste, which is spread onto Manila paper in layers. Afterwards, a sheet of Manila paper is laid over the gypsum paste. This product is put in the oven to harden at high temperatures. The heated material dries out and the result is cut into sheets of different sizes.

To create specialized forms of drywall additional additives or other types of paper are used. Specialty drywall products are offered in flexible form, fire-resistant, impact-resistant, and moisture-resistant drywall sheets. Expert drywall installers are knowledgeable about installing what you need.

What is Sheetrock?

Sheetrock is a brand name for a drywall product. The terms are often used interchangeably; but there is a difference between generic natural drywall and sheetrock. Sheetrock is sold in variably sized pieces of drywall of different thickness. Sheetrock offers customers the opportunity to select specialized panels that suit their individual needs.

What is Synthetic Gypsum?

An increasing amount of drywall is now derived from a man-made process. Synthetic gypsum, also known as flue-gas-desulfurization (FGD) gypsum, is a byproduct produced in coal power plants. Synthetic gypsum is almost identical in chemical composition to natural gypsum. USG is among leading drywall manufacturers who have begun using this product since the 1990s. The result is a cheaper drywall product that also keeps this coal plant waste from entering landfills.

How Drywall is Installed

Drywall is often installed using nails or screws to attach it to the studs of a room. The seams between separate pieces of drywall are filled with a joint compound. Before drywall was invented, plaster was commonly used. However, since drywall is easier to install and is also a cheaper product, it has replaced the use of plaster to construct walls and ceilings in buildings. As an additional benefit, drywall repair is also easier than plaster repair.

The drywall experts at New Ceilings specialize in Orlando drywall installation and repair. We offer a free estimate to interested customers. Please contact us today if you need drywall installation or repairs.