Category: Building Tips

Drywall is a modern construction technology that replaces masonry walls, made of bricks or blocks laid with cement mass. The term means “dry wall.” It is the most used system in walls and ceilings in Europe and the United States and has been gaining space in Brazil for being a fast, economic and rational process.

Walls made of drywall are composed of a galvanized steel frame and high-strength gypsum board bolted on both sides. They have precise measurements and are designed to safely support devices such as doors, cabinets and shelves. They are more flexible than masonry constructions, allowing for creative solutions. At the time of assembly, the drywall means speed and cleanliness, since the execution generates little rubble. In addition, it provides a superior quality of finish. The wall offers a smooth surface and is ready to receive any type of finish, whether painting, tile, pastille or marble, among others.

Maintenance and retrofitting become easier than ordinary walls. The electrical and hydraulic installations pass through the interior of the walls, speeding up access. If a water leak occurs, for example, simply make a cut in the plate to allow the repair of the plumbing. Then the wall is closed with the same piece of sheet. A skilled professional runs the service in a day, sparing break-breaking, avoiding dirt and disturbances.

Another advantage of drywall technology is that it can be used without any problem in wet areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. In this case, green plates are indicated, resistant to humidity and with antifungo protection. For this, the waterproofing follows the basic procedure, the same for any moist area of ​​masonry.

Even the walls being less sturdy, far from affording less comfort or protection. In addition to providing optimum acoustic insulation, the properties of gypsum sheets contribute to temperature control. This way, the environment gets cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. To complete, the drywall presents good resistance in case of fire. In areas that need more protection, special fire-resistant plates are placed.

How can drywall be applied?

It is a creative and modern solution that can be used in both corporate and residential projects. Check out some examples of their application below. In the images, see drywall projects signed by members of CasaPRO.

Gaining space:

The walls of drywall are thinner than those of masonry. This allows the space to be better utilized, gaining useful area. It is great for setting up small environments, such as a utilitarian and discreet canopy in the office, or turning that space under the stairs into a closet.

Anticipating reforms:

When the project is for remodeling the property, it allows practicality, cleanliness and economy. A couple who foresees the arrival of children already know that they will need to adjust the property as changes emerge. You can build the baby’s room, reshape the room, or expand the kitchen with ease – which would be much more difficult with masonry walls.

Decoration and lighting:

Cuttings in ovens and walls are applied with decorative function. In addition, it is possible to create a differentiated lighting, which values ​​the whole design of the environment.

Meeting acoustic requirements:

It is ideal for environments that require sound protection, such as concert halls, cinemas and auditoriums. It can be in home theater setup or in a placeholder to watch movie-quality movies. It is also a solution for homes or twinned environments, where noises generated by one neighbor can disrupt the other.

Mounting niches:

The drywall allows niches to be assembled, as well as shelves, countertops and panels. It is a solution not only functional but that meets aesthetic needs. Glass shelves or any other material are fixed between the gypsum boards to assemble shelves, it is possible to embed marble or granite countertops. Panels can house electronics or appliances, as well as hide details such as beams, wires, ducts.

Working as a partition:

The drywall offers the same strength and all the advantages of a masonry wall, however, its assembly and displacement are much more practical. Excellent for use as office partitions and other corporate environments, ensuring greater peace of mind when reconfiguring the environment.

The plaster walls have already shown that they are the ideal solution for the civil construction: practices since its installation, and with an excellent cost-benefit. Drywall works even in areas that are exposed to moisture on a daily basis, such as the bathroom, kitchen, laundry room and laundry area. It can not only be used, as it is an excellent solution for this type of space.

However, it is necessary to choose the right type of sheet. Do not just use the standard ones with waterproofing, as many people do to save on construction. In environments subject to humidity, RU (moisture resistant plaques), also known as “green plates”, must be applied. They have water repellent elements, which repel water.

Even so, drywall in wet areas must undergo a waterproofing system. Options include elastomeric asphalt membranes for cold application (gypsum boards should not be subjected to hot application systems), acrylic membranes and polymer cement. After the waterproofing of the drywall is made, the wall is ready to receive any type of finish, including gypsum, marble, granite and ceramic, among others.

Stay tuned! The green plates are not waterproof, although they have a higher resistance to humidity, and also work against splashing water. Therefore, it is not recommended that they be used as pool or sauna liner.

Ease of maintenance

One of the main advantages of using drywall in wet areas is the ease of maintenance. When repairs are required, waterproof plasterboards can be repaired with the same practicality as any other drywall structure.

First, a rectangular opening is made in the wall, always with the help of a tip saw. The repair – whether in the electrical or hydraulic installation – can be completed quickly, without any mess inside the house. Thereafter, a piece of sheet is used to close the aperture, which may be the same fragment taken from the wall. This fragment is then screwed in the right place, with the aid of two pieces of the structural profile. To finish the job, the opening joints are treated with a suitable mass and tape. Once the wall is already dry, just do the finishing.

With the drywall, you escape that annoying process of having to break the bricks and plaster – making the biggest dirt in the house! – every time you need to do a repair in the kitchen or bathroom.

Special recommendations

Depending on the environment where the plaster walls will be installed, some special care must be taken. The bathroom, for example, is a space that requires more attention.

It happens that, in addition to the humidity, in some of these places the presence of the water is constant. This is the case with the walls next to the shower, always wet, or the rooms where the floor will be washed. To ensure drywall conservation, the meeting area between the plasterboard and the floor must also be waterproofed.

This can be done with own skirting boards, which receive the same waterproofing treatment of walls and linings in drywall. The application should start on the floor, between 15 and 20cm from the wall, and climb through it until it reaches at least 20cm high.

Ceramic finish with adhesive mortar

Even if they are not located in damp areas, the plaster walls that will receive ceramic finishes also require special care.

The ceramic is laid with adhesive mortar, which must be mixed with water. The problem is that this water is soon absorbed by the plates of ordinary plaster, called standard plates. When the tiles are glued, they eventually come loose from the wall. In this case, it is also necessary to use the waterproofed green sheets.

Do you have any questions about the use of green plates in humid environments? Write to us!