DIY Drywall or Hire a Pro?
16 October 2008
Do you need drywall installation or repair?Should you do the drywall project yourself, or do you leave it to the professionals? That's a big question and one you should consider carefully.
Do It Yourself Drywall?
A small job - patching or installing part of a wall, for example - is not going to be a problem for someone who is very handy and maybe even has some drywall experience.
However, if you have to complete an entire room - a basement or attic, for example - it's going to be a very difficult and time-consuming project. One you may not have the tools and expertise for.
First, you need to consider your tools and materials. If you've already got the drywall materials, and you've done it all before, you'll still have to buy all the drywall and mud and tape and screws. If not, you'll also need to purchase a lot of the tools as well. Keep in mind that transporting drywall is not easy - it's rather heavy even for just a few sheets. You might need to rent a truck or pay for delivery to get it all to your home.
Second, you need to consider the value of your time. A professional drywall company can cost you anywhere from $25 to $45 per hour, per person in the crew, to complete a sheetrock project. This is a lot of money. But where it might take them 2 days to complete the work, it could take you a week. They have the tools and expertise to go in a do the job in no time at all and move on.
Third, you need to consider your budget. If you've never done a drywall project in your life, you will make some mistakes. A professional crew will come in and make it a nice, smooth, clean drywall job but it will cost you more in labor. If you need drywall repair or installation and can only afford the tools and materials, you might need to do it yourself. Labor is a large part of the budget. If you've got some experience and plenty of time, and don't mind picking up the tools you need, you could think about going it alone. There's also nothing like the feeling of having handled the project on your own - being able to look at a completed wall and know that you put that up.
We want you to know that ConstructionDeal.com is here should you decide to hire a drywall installer. We match homeowners to drywall contractors every day - at no cost. It's a fast and easy way to find drywall pros, for free, and there is no obligation to hire them.
Simply tell us about your drywall project and get up to 4 quotes in a very short time. ConstructionDeal.com - we help you get your drywall project done!
Labels: DIY, Drywall Companies, Drywall Contractors
Can Drywall be Recycled?
12 October 2008
With people looking for ways to be environmentally-friendly and sustainable, the topic of recycling always comes up. And with many people renovating older homes instead of moving, there have been some questions as to whether drywall can be recycled.So, it begs the question:
Can Drywall Be Recycled?
"The mineral gypsum has many uses in today's society. In addition to the manufacture of drywall for building construction, gypsum is also widely used as a soil amendment, in the production of cement, and as an ingredient in the manufacture of many types of commercial products.
Since the gypsum makes up approximately 90% of the weight of a piece of drywall, if the gypsum can be recovered from the drywall, the majority of the material can be recycled. Scrap gypsum drywall is currently being recycled in several locations in North America. Examples include:
- The manufacture of new drywall
- Use as an ingredient in the production of cement
- Application to soils and crops to improve soil drainage and plant growth
- A major ingredient in the production of fertilizer products
- An additive to composting operations
If you need to find out if there a drywall recycling center in your state, talk with a local expert - we've got a whole network of drywall contractors in your area.
And, if you need to install or repair sheetrock, you can save lots of time and money by posting the project with us. At ConstructionDeal.com, we'll match you to local drywall companies - at no cost - and you'll get your project done in no time at all!
It's a fast, free and easy way to find a drywall pro.
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source - DrywallRecycling.org
Labels: Drywall Companies, Drywall Recycling, Sustainability
What is Drywall?
08 October 2008
From DrywallRecycling.org comes a great description of what drywall is.What Is Drywall?
"A description of gypsum drywall must first begin with a discussion of gypsum itself. Gypsum, a naturally occurring mineral, is composed of calcium sulfate and water. Also referred to as hydrous calcium sulfate, gypsum is mined from deposits formed by ancient seabeds as a raw material for many different manufacturing, industrial, and agricultural uses. Over 80% of the gypsum mined is used in manufactured products such as drywall.
Gypsum possesses many attributes that make it an attractive construction material. Calcined gypsum can be wetted to form a paste that can be directly applied to a structure's surface or that can be molded into a desired shape; the gypsum hardens upon drying. Gypsum is naturally fire resistant.
Gypsum drywall, often referred to as gypsum wallboard or sheet rock, replaced gypsum plaster as the major material used for interior wall surfaces because of its ease of installation. Gypsum drywall consists of approximately 90% gypsum and 10% paper facing and backing. Drywall is manufactured by first calcining the gypsum, a process that heats the mineral to remove part of the water.
The stucco that is formed is then rehydrated by mixing with water, and the slurry created is spread onto a moving continuous sheet of paper and sandwiched between another layer of paper. This continuous sheet of wallboard is allowed to harden for several minutes, cut into panels and sent to a kiln for final drying. It is trimmed to the dimensions required, bundled, and is then ready for shipment. Drywall comes in many different types and sizes to meet specific construction needs."
Do you have an upcoming drywall project? Do you need a drywall contractor to help with installation, repair or finishing work? We can help.
ConstructionDeal.com can match you with several drywall companies and get you up to 4 quotes on your project - at no cost. It's a fast and easy way to find drywall contractors. Simply tell us about your project and get your quotes. It saves time and money.
source - DrywallRecycling.org
Labels: Drywall Companies, Drywall Contractors, Drywall Definition, Drywall Installers
Varieties of Drywall
01 October 2008
What types of drywall are available today?Beyond the typical white drywall gypsum boards that are sold in four foot by eight foot sheets, there are a variety of drywall types available for residential and commercial applications.
Depending on the need, there are drywall choices that provide additional protection from fire, water, and sound.
Here is a list of some drywall options:
- Regular White Board Drywall - most residential and commercial applications use this for finishing a room or creating separate rooms
- Fire Resistant Drywall - there are boards that have different levels of resistance to amount of heat and fire based on standardized tests
- Mold Resistant Drywall - Georgia Pacific's DenArmor is a paperless drywall board that prevents mold growth in highly humid areas, such as a basement
- Greenboard Drywall - this board has an oil-based additive in it which fights moisture in areas with a lot of humidity or water present - like a bathroom, laundry, or kitchen
- Concrete Backerboard Drywall is even more water-resistant than the greenboard. Perfect for installing behind the tiles in a shower. It's also called Fiber Cement and Glass Mat Gypsum
- For hospitals and medical centers, there is a Lead-lined Drywall Board to protect medical workers from x-rays and other radiological equipment
Need to Find a Drywall Contractor?
We can help. ConstructionDeal.com matches drywall contractors with homeowners who have drywall projects. It's a fast and easy way to find any contractor - and there is no cost.
Simply tell us about your drywall project and get quotes from up to 4 drywall companies. It's that easy!
Labels: Drywall Companies, Drywall Contractors, Types of Drywall
