Walls inside homes gives us a feeling of security and belonging. These walls are important, as well, to allow you to express your personality, because you will decorate them with paint, wallpaper, tapestries, photographs, and paintings. If you want to have a full refurbishment and start from scratch, it is likely that you will install drywall to achieve this. The best way to have this done properly is to call in a professional like Lloyd Claycomb II. So what is that they do for you?
How the Professionals Install Drywalls
Drywall installation isn’t actually complicated, with exception of the taping of the joints. This should really be left to the professionals. What they will do, firstly, is determine exactly how much drywall you actually need by looking at the square footage of walls and, if you so desire, ceilings. They will then also be able to calculate how many joints there are.
Generally speaking, there are three sizes of drywall panels available, being 4×8’, 4×10’, and 4×12’. Usually, they run vertically, from the floor to the roof. Sometimes, however, horizontal panels are used instead. There are also different thicknesses for drywall panels, although ½” is the most common for walls, and 5/8” is the most common for ceilings. Professionals will first check your local building codes to make sure they are using the regulated thickness.
Next, professionals will bring in all the necessary tools and equipment, like joint compounds and screws. Then, they will be ready to start the installation. Usually, they will work in teams of at least two people, cutting the panels and installing them one by one. They will then start to cut and create the panels to size, including certain T-squares, which are then used to stagger the panels.
Your installers will use sharp knives to carefully cut the panels over a straight edge. The panel will be flipped and the cutting is done on the other side. After that, the edges are smoothed down with sandpaper, during which time a mask has to be worn. Once that is completed, the different panels will be installed, with the occasional extra cutting for things such as switches, electrical outlets, and other fixtures.
Once the panels are installed, they will be taped. This means the professionals will apply some joint compound in key places on the drywall. The tape is then stripped, after which two individual coats of thin joint compound are applied. This ensures a nice, even finish at the end.
You will usually be asked to leave the work to dry for at least five days. After that, it should be ready to paint and you will be able to remove the dust sheets from your furniture as well.
The above doesn’t sound overly complicated and it is for this reason that so many people decide to drywall themselves, rather than using a contractor. Do not underestimate its difficulty, however. Furthermore, if you decide to do it as a DIY job and you make a mistake, then the repair costs will generally be more expensive than the original installation.
