The History of Drywall – Interesting Facts About This Everyday Product

Drywall, also known as gypsum board or sheetrock, is one of the most common materials found in modern buildings. Constructors use it to finish interior walls and ceilings, usually after installing insulation and wiring. It’s an affordable and efficient solution that can be installed and removed multiple times without damaging the structure. However, few people know about the history of drywall or how this product became so popular today. In this article we’ll explore the origins of gypsum board, how it’s made, and its various uses in residential homes and commercial properties.

What is Drywall?

Drywall is a type of wall or ceiling finishing material. It is constructed of paper with a gypsum core, which is then sandwiched between two sheets of paper. The overall thickness of the panels is 1/2 inches. Although drywall is primarily made of paper, it is not considered a paper product. The most common types of drywall is gypsum board and. Gypsum is a naturally occurring mineral that is ground down and combined with other materials to create drywall. Drywall is used to finish the inside walls and ceilings of buildings. It’s an efficient product that can be installed quickly and easily. It is typically sandwiched between the framing of a building and the insulation, which is then covered with a layer of wallboard or wood trim.

When was drywall invented?

The history of drywall can be traced back to the 1890s, when a Chicago inventor named George Hadley introduced the first commercial product. The material was called “papercrete”, a mixture of paper pulp, water, and Portland cement. It was used as a low-cost alternative to stone and concrete. Although the product was lightweight and affordable, it wasn’t widely adopted by the construction industry. Hadley later created a new version called “paperboard”, a material made of paper, Portland cement, and gypsum. It was a cheaper alternative to plaster that gained significant popularity around 1900.

How is Drywall Made?

The process of creating drywall is fairly straightforward. First, manufacturers mix a slurry of water, gypsum, and paper pulp together. They then use giant rotating drums to place the mixture on a paper making machine. The paper making machine uses rolls of paper to form a long sheet, which is then fed through a nip roll. This rolls the paper around a rotating cylinder called a “doctor knife”. The doctor knife slices the paper in a way that forms vertical strips. The next step is to form the paper roll into a large square that can be cut into panels. The surface of the roll is sprayed with water, and a stiff adhesive is applied so that the paper surface is not too slippery, and the adhesive will stick to the surface. The roll is then fed through a grooving machine that cuts the material into large panels.

Uses of Drywall

Drywall is an excellent material for finishing interior walls and ceilings. It comes in standard dimensions to fit between joists, beams, and other framing. The sheets are attached with screws or nails, and they are covered with a layer of wallboard or wood trim. Drywall is used in residential and commercial properties. It’s often installed as a layer between the framing of a building and the insulation, which helps regulate interior temperatures. Drywall is also used to finish basement walls and other areas that are not suitable for traditional plaster. Drywall is extremely versatile. It can be installed horizontally or vertically, and it can be applied over a variety of surfaces. Drywall is fire resistant and can withstand a great deal of wear and tear, making it an excellent choice for interior walls and ceilings.

Where did the name “Drywall” Come From?

Drywall is a fitting name for this paper-based construction material. The word “dry” refers to the fact that it doesn’t get saturated with water like traditional plaster. The use of paper in drywall makes it lighter and less expensive than plaster. People often refer to drywall as gypsum board, especially when they’re talking about the paperboard variety. The word “gypsum” refers to the mineral that is used in some drywall panels. This mineral is chemically similar to plaster, but it’s easier to transport and handle.

Final Words

Drywall is a common construction material that is used in residential and commercial properties. It is made of paper and Portland cement that is mixed with water. Drywall is installed along the inner side of walls and ceilings, and it is usually covered with a layer of wallboard or wood trim. The history of drywall can be traced back to the 1890s, when a Chicago inventor created the first commercial product. Drywall is also known as gypsum board, and it is an excellent choice for finishing interior walls and ceilings.

Contact RGZ Cambridge today for all your drywall needs: We are industry leaders in Commercial and Residential projects. Call us today: 613-695-5544 or reach us via this page.