How To Install PlasterBoard?

Lightweight, inexpensive, easy to install and use – plasterboard sheets can be called a universal material that performs many tasks. You can even install plasterboard on a wall yourself, without much experience. There are several secrets on how to work so that the structure turns out to be the most even and durable.

Why do they install plasterboard?

Drywall is a sheet of gypsum covered with a dense layer of cardboard. It is flexible, durable and environmentally friendly. Depending on the impregnation, it acquires different properties: moisture resistance, heat resistance, resistance to temperature changes, etc. This allows it to be used in rooms with different operating conditions.

In construction, drywall is a universal material that is widely used in industrial construction and in domestic conditions. It is used for different purposes:

• For home insulation.

• For the construction of walls, partitions, niches, etc.

• To level the surface.

The material is used on the wall or ceiling, and the ease of processing allows you to take into account the architecture of the room and the features of door and window openings. Simple materials may be sufficient for installation: glue or mounting foam. Or special profiles for plasterboard - with them, the structure acquires additional stability.

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Types of gypsum board for installation

A standard plasterboard sheet weighs about 30 kg, is 1.2 by 1.5 m long and 10-12 mm thick. However, depending on the room structure and type of surface, either thicker or thinner materials may be required. The difference between the materials is especially noticeable when installed on a ceiling, wall or arch.

Depending on the place of work, there are several types of plasterboard:

• Wall plasterboard. The most popular option. It is used for partitions and walls, both in residential and non-residential premises. The thickness of the sheet depends on the properties. The standard size is 10-15 mm. It can be moisture-resistant, heat-resistant, moisture- and heat-resistant.

• Ceiling. The only thing that distinguishes it from the first type is its lower weight and the presence of additional materials in the composition, which allow for increased strength. Ceiling plasterboard should be thin (8-10 mm) and easy to cut, so that lighting fixtures can be inserted into it even after fastening.

• Arched. This material bends in different directions, which allows you to lay it in any convenient form and use it for arches, niches and other curves or rooms with a non-standard shape. Such flexibility is provided by reinforcing elements, due to which the cost of arched plasterboard is higher than wall or ceiling. As a rule, only a small number of surfaces in the house require such finishing, so this type is purchased in small quantities. The thickness is only 6-7 mm.

Features of installation technology

There are two ways to work with the material.

The first is to attach the drywall to the surface using special glue. Then it is plastered or puttied. This method is not suitable for wood.

The second is to attach the material to a prepared metal or wooden frame made of profiles. Wood is cheaper, but metal is more reliable and has greater wear resistance. It is suitable for all types of surfaces.

The installation of drywall on the wall itself takes place in several stages. First of all, this is marking the sheets and work surfaces using a pencil, tape measure, painter's cord, etc. Then the installation itself. The master will need a screwdriver, hammer and hammer drill. And finally, work with components: profiles, racks, hangers, etc.

Before starting work, pay attention to several rules and features:

1. Sheet joints are placed only on the frame and fixed with self-tapping screws.

2. External corners must be covered with special construction corners.

3. Seams - seal with joint tape.

4. For interior partitions, installation takes place in two parallel layers. Only special arched plasterboard is suitable - it has sufficient flexibility.

5. The plasterboard is attached to concrete using 60 mm dowel nails.

6. When working with bricks, it is necessary to take into account the strength of the walls. For an old house or masonry made of hollow bricks, it is necessary to use dowels with a length of 80 mm.

7. For foam blocks - self-tapping screws.

8. For wood - with nails or screws.

How to install drywall on walls and ceilings using a frame

Correct work is carried out consistently and in stages.

The key to a correctly made and high-quality structure is accurate marking. On the ceiling or wall, it is necessary to mark where each element should be located. Specify the location of all horizontal and vertical profiles, the contours of door and window openings, the location of the sheets themselves.

Features of the frame method

The basis of the installation technology is to “put” the drywall on the frame. Unlike the frameless method, this makes it possible to join the gypsum board even on surfaces with a large slope or strong irregularities, as well as to hide various defects and roughness.

A small gap appears between the frame and the cardboard, where you can install wires, lighting fixtures or other equipment that needs to be hidden. You can also lay a layer of insulation for soundproofing material in this gap.

If you need to repair or change part of the structure, it is more convenient to remove the drywall from the frame than to tear it off. In case of force majeure - for example, a flood - only quick removal of the plasterboard from the frame helps to preserve the repair.

The disadvantage of the frame method is that it "eats" part of the area, which is especially important for small areas. However, in a private house or a large apartment, it is better to choose this type of installation of plasterboard on the walls.

There are two types of frames used:

• Made of wood. This is a more environmentally friendly and cheaper option, but still less popular. This is due to the fact that wood requires additional treatment to make it moisture-resistant, fire-resistant, and resistant to fungi and mold. With a sharp change in temperature, the material tends to expand, and the wood can swell, which will lead to the structure coming off.

• Made of metal. It is more expensive, but less susceptible to temperature, moisture and other negative effects. It is more durable and versatile.

Both materials are fastened together like a mesh.

Technology of installation of frame structure

First of all, it is necessary to prepare the room: remove excess furniture, cover the floor and remaining items with a protective shelf, clean the walls or ceiling of the previous finish - wallpaper or plaster.

Please note that the profiles will require a lot of free space. You will not be able to use the premises for other purposes during work.

If it is necessary to sew up wires in the gap between the frame and the gypsum board, then before starting they must be carried out and put away in protective boxes.

The correct technology for attaching drywall to the walls is the initial installation of horizontal elements. They are installed over the entire area using self-tapping screws. The upper profile is fixed to the ceiling, the lower one - to the floor.

Then the vertical profiles are attached. They can be located close to the wall or at a distance from it, at a distance of the installed bracket. This depends on the degree of curvature of the surface. If the unevenness does not exceed 5-10 mm, then the elements can be attached directly to the ceiling or wall. If they are strongly curved or located at an angle, then it is better to use brackets for fastening.

The final stage of creating a frame from profiles is the installation of rack elements. They should match the height of the room in size, that is, exactly from the floor to the ceiling. Take measurements and cut the parts, and then connect them with screws into a single structure. There should be no extra or protruding parts.

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Installation of drywall without a frame

In conditions of limited space, the best option is to use a frameless structure. GKL is attached directly to the ceiling or wall.

This can be done in two ways:

• Installation of plasterboard on construction glue. The glue is in the form of a dry mixture that needs to be diluted before starting work. It hardens quite quickly, so it is necessary to take measurements and prepare the room and tools in advance.

• Finishing with polyurethane foam. This is a great option for wood. Foam protects it from expansion.

There is more than one technology for applying glue. If the surfaces are smooth or have only slight roughness, then the glue is applied as on ordinary cardboard: in a thin layer around the entire perimeter. If the irregularities are noticeable (up to 20 mm), then the glue must be applied pointwise in the form of semicircles. If there are large forms of deformation, they must first be sealed with plasterboard inserts, and then proceed to gluing the main sheet.

Work technology

As with the installation of profiles, prepare the room by cleaning and removing all unnecessary things. The surface must be cleaned of layers of paint or plaster and impregnated with a special primer.

• Take measurements, cut and number the sheets. Soak them in soil and leave to dry for one to two hours.

• Apply foam or glue to the wall and drywall. Apply the joints carefully. Press the sheets and hold them until the glue dries. At this stage, it is more convenient to work together or fix the drywall with screws for greater reliability.

• If there are pieces of foam or traces of glue left on the corners, after hardening they must be cut off and sanded in the joints and uneven areas.

Drywall installation

The main stage is plasterboard sheathing. The necessary tools are a screwdriver, screws and several rack profiles.

Cut the plasterboard into sheets of the required size in advance. It is most convenient if you have a single element that can cover the entire surface without joints and seams.

If possible, work together - it is easier to hold a long, heavy sheet. This is especially important when installing a plasterboard partition. One person presses the sheet, the other draws the contours.

The installation itself takes place in several stages:

1. The first sheet must be placed in the corner and its edges pressed against the opposite wall, floor and ceiling. If there is a door or window opening, the material is pressed against their corners.

2. Align the sheet and frame, press and screw the screws to the vertical profile. Choose a mode with medium power so as not to damage the material. Make sure that the sheet is tightly positioned and holds on to the rack profiles on its own. Then attach it to the horizontal elements.

3. Press the next plasterboards tightly against the adjacent ones. Try to visually compare them to avoid deviations.

4. Windows and doors are covered according to the same principle: first vertical profiles, then horizontal ones. The shapes should be cut out in advance. Experts recommend covering door jambs last, since their finishing is usually decorative.

5. Fill all seams, joints and uneven areas with putty. It is recommended to use reinforced fiberglass mesh to give the structure greater strength and protection from vibrations, as well as from expansion during sudden temperature changes. Apply the first layer of putty, sand it and apply another layer. If necessary, go over it with sandpaper again.

If the wall needs to be insulated, then a heat insulator must be laid in the space between the frame and the sheet. This can be mineral wool or glass wool, which additionally perform soundproofing functions. However, when choosing, you should focus on the material and the purpose of the room.

After putting and smoothing, you can proceed to decorative finishing: wallpaper, tiles, mosaics, etc.

Installation technology: recommendations

The quality of the work depends not only on the skills of the master, but also on the correct selection of material. Installation of drywall on the walls should be correct: different types of material are suitable for rooms with different purposes.

•  Ordinary drywall sheets are suitable for residential premises with normal humidity and are well-heated. They are highly environmentally friendly and do not emit toxins.

• Moisture-resistant gypsum boards are suitable for bathrooms, toilets, basements and other rooms with high humidity and a tendency to mold and mildew. It is more expensive than the standard one, but does not deform when in contact with moisture.

•  In private houses, fire-resistant sheets should be used for a boiler room or boiler room, which are not afraid of high temperatures and sudden changes.

•  Moisture-resistant and fire-resistant sheets are suitable for an attic or gazebo. They are the most expensive, but the structure will last longer and will not deform with high humidity, temperature changes and mechanical impact.

Installation of plasterboard is a technology that is used to level surfaces, insulate partitions and build. Plasterboard is attached to walls and ceilings in two ways: with glue or on a frame made of profiles. You can do this work yourself, even without much experience. In order for the structure to be high-quality and durable, it is necessary to approach the choice of materials correctly, and act step by step when working.