Month: July 2021

Also known as plasterboard, gypsum board, custard board, buster board, wallboard, gypsum panel, or sheetrock, drywall is one of the most popular walling materials in America today. Its advantages include low cost, wide availability, and relative ease of installation compared to many other materials.

That being said, plasterboard installation is still a complex job that should be performed by an established Fort Collins drywall repair company. One of the reasons for this is that drywall comes in many different types, and knowing when and where to use each type is necessary to avoid mistakes during installation and maximize value.

We have previously provided some tips on how to decide whether to replace or repair your drywall and what to look for when hiring a drywall contractor. Now we’ll expand on this topic by listing 5 common types of drywall and their uses. Keep reading to learn more.

How do I know if I need to replace drywall?

Drywall is an inexpensive and effective indoor walling solution. However, it’s also susceptible to water damage and vulnerable to impact breakage, some of which can damage your drywall to the point where it can no longer be fixed.

You should replace a sheet of drywall if it has suffered:

• Large holes that are too big to be covered up or affect the structural integrity of your wall.
• Extensive water damage can cause visible bulging, crumbling, and collapsing of the drywall.
• Cracks signify an underlying structural problem that needs to be addressed to preserve the integrity of the drywall.
• Splintering along the joins and edges is a sign of significant damage, typically caused by rot, water damage, settling, or materials that are at the end of their service life.
• Bulges and bumps are caused by water damage or excess humidity. Since reworking is usually ineffective in these cases, replacement is the go-to option.

What are the types of drywall?

In residential applications, drywall is typically used on the ceilings and walls. However, it comes in many different types, sizes, and thicknesses that have different use cases.

Here are 5 commonly used types of drywall:

• Regular drywall or white board is usually brown on one side and white on the other. It’s economical and ranges in thickness from ⅜ inches to an inch. This is the most commonly used drywall type.
• Blue board drywall. Also called plaster baseboard, this type of drywall is used for veneer plastering due to having special absorption qualities on its surface paper.
• Purple drywall is like regular drywall, but it’s more resistant to mold and moisture. If your wall is going to be in contact with water, this is the best drywall type to use.
• Paperless drywall has a fiberglass covering that protects it from rot and provides increased resistance to mildew and mold. It’s also sturdier than regular plasterboard.
• Green board drywall has a green covering that gives it increased moisture resistance. It’s often used as a tile backer in areas such as basements, bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, and utility rooms.

Where can I hire a reputable Fort Collins drywall repair company?

Want to have your drywall installed by an experienced team that emphasizes quality, thoroughness, and safety at all stages of your project? Or perhaps your home near The Shops at Foothills is in need of reliable plumbing, electrical, or fence replacement work?

Whatever your home improvement, repair, or maintenance needs may be, you can count on Handyman Connection of Fort Collins to meet them with utmost efficiency and precision. Get in touch with us and benefit from our client-oriented approach and extensive experience today.

Homeowners who are looking to save a buck often get overconfident after watching DIY shows and online videos about complex home improvement projects such as plasterboard installation. But the reality is that these shows routinely gloss over the really difficult parts of the installation process. 

Unfortunately, DIY-ers tend to discover this fact after their project is already underway and they’ve already made a few costly mistakes. This is one of the main reasons why most people in Fort Collins are advised to outsource these projects to professional drywall contractors. 

In previous articles, we answered some common questions about drywall repair and provided some pointers on how to find a reliable drywall contractor. Now we’ll take a look at the 4 mistakes many people make during installation. Read on to learn more.

Is drywall hard to install?

Deceptively so. There is plenty of room for error when performed by someone who isn’t well-versed in the tricks of the trade. Inexperienced installers often miss a detail or two that can seriously interfere with the project, costing them both time and money while leading to unsatisfying results.

Here are 4 drywall installation mistakes to avoid:

• Driving screws too deep will break the paper surface of the drywall and negatively impact their holding power. Screws should only be driven about a half- or quarter-turn past the paper’s surface.
• Overly tight joints between two adjacent sheets can cause one or both sheets to break during or after installation. Always keep a ⅛ inch space between two sheets to prevent problems during installation and account for seasonal expansion and contraction.
• Misaligning electrical box holes. Cutting a perfect hole in drywall can be difficult, especially if you don’t have professional-grade equipment. You also need to make sure you have the perfect fit for the electrical boxes before pressing and fastening the drywall to its position.
• Not marking framing locations before covering them with drywall frequently results in inaccurate screw placement. Always make the necessary marks beforehand.

How much does drywall installation cost?

As with all home improvement projects, the total cost of your drywall replacement project will depend on the scope and complexity of the project, amount and type of drywall you want to install, whether specialized labor is required, and more.

The best way to get an accurate quote is to reach out to a reputable home improvement and maintenance contractor and schedule an on-site consultation. After assessing your property and familiarizing themselves with your wishes, the pros will be able to provide you with a correct estimate.

What is the difference between drywall and plasterboard?

They’re one and the same. Drywall is also known as plasterboard, custard board, wallboard, gypsum board, sheetrock, buster board, or gypsum panel. A frequent mistake people make is to mix up the terms “plasterboard” and “plaster”, despite these referring to two different types of materials.

Plaster is a high-end wall finishing material that’s significantly more labor-intensive than drywall. Despite its smooth look and sound resistant properties, it doesn’t insulate as well as drywall does, which is one of the reasons why drywall is significantly more popular.

Where can I hire dependable Fort Collins drywall contractors?

Are you looking for a team of experienced drywall installers who can outfit your property near the Fort Collins Lincoln Center with gorgeous and functional plasterboard walls that will stand the test of time? Or perhaps you’re in need of painting, plumbing, electrical, custom shelving, door installation, and other handyman services?

Here at Handyman Connection of Fort Collins, we can do all that and more. Contact us today and let our team of trained and experienced craftspeople attend to your every home improvement and maintenance need.