How Drywall Came Into Being

Unlike plaster, drywall is a wall covering that does not require water. Plaster has been in use for ages; the Ancient Romans used it for sculptures and architecture. United Gypsum Corporation invented drywall in 1916. However, many did not embrace this innovation until the 1940s. Its earlier version was called sheetrock and was created as a cheaper fireproof alternative to plaster. Sheetrock consisted of several layers of gypsum and paper held together. Gypsum comes from a Greek word gypsos which means plaster.

Drywall is one sheet of gypsum and several layers of heavy paper. It is also known as wallboard and plasterboard. Gypsum is a noncombustible powdery white or gray sulphate mineral. Compared to materials like plaster, gypsum  is lighter and cheaper. Reports by the Gypsum Association show that more than 20 billion square feet of gypsum are made each year in America only.  

In its early years, drywall was used together with plaster; a layer of drywall was installed and then covered with a thin plaster coating. However, with improved technology experts made drywall boards that allowed installation and painting without using plaster. More inventions are being made day by day to improve this innovation. Today, you can get it in different sizes and for different purposes. Some of the types you will find in the stores include fire retardants, moisture resistant, mold resistant and indentation resistant among many others.

The only drawback in its manufacture is the environmental unfriendliness of gypsum. Workers at the mines inhale a lot of dust. Recommendations from the health safety and health administrations state that this ought to be limited to 15 milligrams per cubic meter each day. However, this is an industry that has created a lot of jobs for those who reside in states that produce it. In addition, many people have taken up jobs as drywall suppliers.

Benefits

One of the benefits of drywall is that it is so easy to install and repair. The United States Gypsum Corporation invented it as a solution to protect houses from urban fires. It’s a quicker solution as you do not have to wait for it to dry. A major issue with plaster is the long drying time. You have to wait for one layer of plaster to dry before applying the next. Drywall is also cheap and provides great insulation. It also has enough flex which ensures that it does not crack in situations where plaster would. This has led to its widespread popularity globally. It’s a choice for many builders and property owners. Most hardware stores are stocked with drywall supplies. And with growing technology you can easily find a drywall supplier online.

Installation

Proper installation of drywall is essential. While buying drywall, ensure that you give an allowance for waste and errors. Purchase a size that is 10% larger than your space. Too many joints should be avoided. Try to use the largest and longest sheets so as to avoid extra joints. Custom drywall sheets are readily available in most stores.