Drywall: Tools & Materials
At Signature Drywall, Inc., we provide superior workmanship and quality control on all of our projects. We are providing some information about the special tools and materials we use for hanging and finishing drywall. This is just a small overview. Please call us for a custom quote on your residential and commercail needs. We specialize in large developments and complex multi-family housing units.
Fastening Tools
For nailing up sheets of drywall, a drywall hammer is a must. It has a convex head that creates a little dimple around the nail head without breaking the paper on the surface of the drywall. This will allow us to cover the nail head with drywall mud and get a smooth surface.
Using screws to fasten drywall is another option. We often use a special electric drywall screw gun that lets us adjust it to sink the screws a little below the surface, again, so we don't break the paper. With a regular screw gun we don't have this control.
Finishing Tools
The "art" of taping comes from using different sized taping knives and boxes to get a smooth, tapered joint. We use automatic taping tools to get your job done right and on time.
For the first "tape coat" we use a taping knife that's 5" or 6" wide. With each of the next two coats we cover an inch or two farther in each direction. Finishing may require the use of a 10 or 12" knife or finishing boxes.
We use mud pans to hold the mud as we tape the joints.
For sanding the joints, we use either a pole sander for dry sanding, or a wet sanding pad.
For applying texture to ceilings and walls, we use our sprayers specifically designed for this job.
Types of Drywall
We use the generic term "drywall" when talking about gypsum board. You will also hear it called "wallboard", or referred to by the brand name "sheetrock". It has a gypsum core, with a coarse paper on the back, and a smooth paper on the finish side.
Drywall sheets come in 4'x8', 4'x10', 4'x12', and even larger.For ceilings and walls with 16" on-center framing use standard 1/2" drywall. For 24" on-center framing, use 5/8" drywall.
For curved walls we use either 3/8" or 1/4" drywall. It usually requires wetting before forming on a curved wall. 1/4" drywall shouldn't be used as a single layer, but should be used over an existing surface.
Water-resistant drywall or "greenboard" has the same gypsum core as drywall, but it has a water-resistant facing. It is typically used in wet areas such as a bathtub or shower surround. It's not water-proof, however, and will deteriorate from moisture penetration.
Concrete backerboard, often called by the brand names "Durock" and "Wonder Board", is used as backing for ceramic tile. It has a solid concrete core and is faced on both sides with fiberglass. It's ideal for wet areas like shower walls and bathtub surrounds.
Fasteners
When nailing drywall into wood framing use ring shank nails. These hold into wood better, and will prevent "popping" later on. Standard length is 1-3/8" for 1/2" drywall, and 1-5/8" for 5/8" drywall.
When using screws, 1-1/4" screws are needed for 1/2" drywall, and 1-1/2" screws are needed for 5/8" drywall.
Types of Joint Compound
Joint compounds are available powdered or pre-mixed. we use predoninantly pre-mixed taping compund. Taping compound is used for the tape coat. It is stronger and courser than the compounds used for the finishing process. Topping compound is thinner and finer. It's used for the fill and finish coats, and for texturing.
All purpose joint compound is halfway between a taping and a topping compound.
Chemically setting compounds come in powdered form only. They are generally very strong and therefore difficult to sand.
Quality workmanship saves money and enhances a builders' reputation.
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