A Quick 101 on Drywall

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A lot of people feel a bit intimidated by the idea of construction work or home renovation, particularly if they want to keep the cost down by doing it yourself. The reality is, as well, that even a DIY-er with the best possible intentions could make mistakes that are incredibly costly to repair. Sometimes, therefore, it is best to get an expert in.

In terms of drywalling, it is a type of ‘in the middle’ DIY job. It cannot be done by someone who has absolutely no experience in DIY, but it doesn’t absolutely have to be done by a professional either. If you have at least some basic skills, you should be able to do it yourself, therefore. However, you have to be confident, because drywalling mistakes are costly mistakes!

Different Types of Drywall

The first thing you have to do, if you choose to do it yourself rather than call in a professional like Lloyd Claycomb, is understand the type of drywall you need. Highly specialized types exist, which makes sense. After all, a drywall in a radiological laboratory will have very different specifications to that in a living room. Type X drywall is the most advanced and safest type of drywall. Unsurprisingly, it is also the most expensive. In your home, you should use it in your garage and kitchen, or any other location where there is a fire hazard. Type X contains fiberglass, which makes it resistant to both fire and moisture.

Then, there is the laminated drywall. Here, wood fibers are added to increase the sound transmission class (STC) value. This is commonly used in living rooms, game rooms, and bedrooms, where you want to be protected from outside noises, or where you want to stop noises from going out.

Mildew and moisture-resistant drywall is also very popular. This is often installed in basements and bathrooms. In these locations, cement board is also often used, as is green board. Cement board, however, is incredibly costly, whereas green board is not. You may also want to consider ‘blueboard’, which uses a plaster veneer to resist water and mold. However, this is again more expensive and you will also need to purchase specialized plaster. On the other hand, this type of drywall may just give you the best value for money, because it will literally last a lifetime – if installed properly.

The most important thing is that, before you take on any home renovation or construction project, you research your options and that you are honest to yourself about your skills. You also need to set yourself a realistic budget. When you have those three key pieces of information available to you, then you can decide on which drywall you want to install and where, and whether you can do it yourself or whether it will be better to ask a professional to do it for you. Remember that, while you do have to pay more for professional installation, it also means that it is more likely to last for longer.