JulianConstruction.com: Types of Drywall

by Shawn Kyles

For the past 50 years drywall has been a common type of material used in the construction of homes to make interior walls and ceilings. It covers insulation, wiring and the structure’s frame. It is also used to create separations in buildings requiring fire-rated materials.
The reason for drywall’s extensive usage and popularity is its low cost, ease of installation and durability.

Drywall is also known as wallboard, plasterboard, gypsum board and Sheetrock (a brand name). It is made of gypsum (powdered rock) plaster that has been pressed between two sheets of extremely thick paper.

Gypsum is a soft, fine-grained white mineral. In addition to drywall, it is used as a fertilizer and for blackboard chalk. Gypsum can even be made into blocks similar to concrete blocks, and mortar. In Asian cultures, it is a source of dietary calcium

Standard drywall sheets are 4’ x 8’. You can also purchase drywall that is 10 and 12 feet long. The drywall used for ceilings is 5/8 inch thick and the drywall used for walls is typically 1/2 inch thick. You can also purchase drywall that is 3/8 inch thick.

In addition to size and thickness variations, drywall can also be square edged, taper-edged, moisture resistant, soundproof, fire-resistant and foil-backed. Deciding what type of drywall to use will depend on your project.

Water-resistant drywall (greenboard) is needed in areas where there is moisture, such as kitchens, bathrooms, or regions with a humid climate. In many cases, the greenboard will also need a waterproof membrane to prevent water penetration. Another option for areas exposed to water is cement board. A cement board is fiber reinforced cement. It does not have outward facing paper.

You can also buy drywall that is mold-resistant. Drywall that is mold resistant typically has paperless backing and a special coating to prevent mold.

Fire resistant drywall is for walls or ceilings that require a fire-rating beyond 20 minutes. To create this type of drywall, strands of fibers are added to the gypsum. This increases the ability of the drywall to withstand fire for a longer period of time.

If you are planning to install drywall in high traffic commercial areas, you may want to consider impact resistant drywall. This type of drywall is made by adding fibers to the gypsum as well as increasing the thickness of the paper.

Soundproof drywall (quiet rock) has viscoelastic polymers added to the gypsum, The polymers convert sound energy to heat energy.

You can even purchase lead-lined drywall for drywall jobs in areas such as x-ray rooms. Lead-lined drywall is made by adding 1/16” layer of lead between the gypsum and paper backing. The lead blocks the x-rays from penetrating the wall.

If your drywall job involves the use of veneer plaster, you will need blue board, a type of drywall covered with a special coating. The coating makes it easier for the plaster to adhere to the drywall.
When it comes to installing drywall, hire a general or foundation contractor. A professional will know what type of drywall is needed for your project. You will also have peace of mind knowing that the drywall was properly installed and can pass a foundation inspection.


Shawn Kyles, expert in Los Angeles foundation inspection, repair & house bolting at Julian Construction (http://www.julianconstruction.com) in Los Angeles, has inspected over 15,000 structures for building & safety and done more foundation repair than anyone else (http://julianconstruction.com/about/ ). See their video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I8j7dXzpj4

Foundation Problems Recognizable By Different Cracks

Different Foundation Cracks Indicate Several Different Structural Problems

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/) a foundation construction and general contractor construction company in the Los Angeles area, just released an article detailing many different types of foundation cracks and what each one indicates. Different foundation cracks are caused by conditions in the soil and structure and each has a specific cause. Shawn Kyles, structural safety inspection expert, wrote the article to help homeowners recognize these potentially dangerous foundation problems.

Mr. Kyles states: “When cracks appear in walls, it is often a sign of foundation problems or damage. Many times the problem is caused by foundation shrinkage, soil expansion or settlement. Earthquakes can cause cracking as well. Where the crack is occurring, its size and shape can tell you a lot about the problem. Knowing how to ‘read’ them can help you determine the seriousness of the situation and what action to take.”

The full text of the article can be found here: http://julianconstruction.com/julianconstruction-com-different-types-of-foundation-cracks/

The company strongly recommends that homeowners quickly address any of these signs of foundation damage. A competent foundation inspection by a trained professional can locate the cause of the problem and indicate the appropriate foundation repair.

Julian De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction, stated: “It is a positive thing to know that with these different foundation problems, each has a different way to recognize it. When you know that, you can be more alert to the problem, and you are more knowledgeable when it occurs as to what is happening. You know when a problem is serious or not, because different cracks will tell you what kind of foundation problem you are looking at. And a trained foundation specialist will be able to spot the source of the problem right away so it can be completely handled.”

Julian Construction owns its own company and is built on a “no middlemen” model – no salesmen, no subcontractors. When you work with Julian Construction you get the principals of the company and workers of Julian Construction under your home. The result is the highest quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, www.julianconstruction.com. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.com/blog/

Efforts to Proof California Homes Against Earthquakes Ongoing

Earthquake Retrofitting a Continuing and Large Scale Process for Homes in California

LOS ANGELES, CA: Julian Construction, Inc., (http://julianconstruction.com/) a foundation repair and construction and earthquake retrofitting specialist company in California, is joining with many different organizations and the Los Angeles Mayor in a concerted effort to bring California’s homes up to code and ready for the next big earthquake. The earthquake preparedness process ranges from small repairs of homes which need more modern earthquake reinforcement, to large repairs of office buildings which may be in great danger of collapse in the event of an earthquake.
The company urges all California homeowners and business owners to join in the process.

Shawn Kyles, Julian Construction’s building safety inspection expert, stated: “In California, considerable efforts are being made to ensure commercial and residential buildings are earthquake-proof. Even so, many structures are still not retrofitted. It’s important for anyone in California to know whether or not their home could withstand a large earthquake. Houses with no earthquake retrofitting can fall off the foundation or collapse when the ground starts to shake. Sometimes, damage can be severe enough to require the home be torn down.”

One such person joining in the effort to strengthen California homes is Los Angeles mayor Eric Garcetti, who made the following statement in December last year: “The time for retrofit is now. Complacency risks lives. One thing we can’t afford to do is wait.” The mayor announced his intentions for a city-wide earthquake retrofitting program here:
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-earthquake-safety-retrofit-20141208-story.html

Julian De La Torre, founder of Julian Construction, stated: “The need for earthquake retrofitting has been with us for some time. There are buildings which were built decades ago which are not up to current code, and sometimes we find modern buildings where the foundation was not done correctly. All of these need to be replaced. I’m very happy to see a large effort to handle all of California’s buildings. In a state like this, with how many earthquakes we get every year, we cannot let a home be at risk of collapse in an earthquake.”

Julian Construction owns its own company and is built on a “no middlemen” model – no salesmen, no subcontractors. When you work with Julian Construction you get the principals of the company and workers of Julian Construction under your home. The result is the highest quality work at affordable prices. They can be contacted by phone at 323 733-3377, by fax at 323 733-4477 or via their website, www.julianconstruction.com. You can see tips and advice about home foundations on their blog, at http://julianconstruction.com/blog/