Gypsum wall board

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Contents 1 Material analysis 1.1 Traditional uses 1.2 Emerging uses / trends 1.3 Finish and aesthetic qualities 1.4 Surface forms / shapes 1.5 Cost analysis 2 Material properties 2.1 Primary structural use 2.2 Material performance 2.3 Dimensional and opening restriction 2.4 Acoustic property 2.5 Manufacturing process and assembly 3 Environmental impact 3.1 LEED 4 Life Safety & Rating Standards 4.1 Flammability rating 4.2 Coefficient of friction 5 References 5.1 Notes 5.2 Student contributions 6 See also 6.1 Similar materials 6.2 Building references 7 External links 7.1 Additional resources 7.2 Leading manufacturers

Material analysis

MasterFormat Number: 09 29 00

Traditional uses

• Gypsum plaster was initially used for interiors because of its quick setting time, which made for fast construction and highly ornamental work.
• Gypsum board appeared in the 1950s, and rapidly replaced plaster as the most common interior surface.
  • It required less skill to assemble and was less expensive to install.
• Its most commonly used applications are walls, ceilings, and partitions.

Emerging uses / trends

• It is most widely used as an interior surface in residential and nonresidential interiors.

Finish and aesthetic qualities

• Gypsum board provides a smooth and clean surface.
  • It easily allows for a variety of finishes like paint, wallpaper and textures.

Surface forms / shapes

• Due to the flexibility of gypsum board, curved walls and column enclosures can be created for making dynamic space.

Cost analysis

• $ 1.50/SF - $ 6.00/SF (including installation)

Material properties

Primary structural use

• Panel boards

Material performance

• Gypsum board has excellent properties in strength, lightness, sound-resistance and fire-resistance.
• It is easy to form and has a pleasing appearance.
• Gypsum is an easy material to work with and is therefore very cheap to install.

Dimensional and opening restriction

• Standard size- 8' x 4' x 1/2"
  • Can be available up to 16' x 4' x 4"

Acoustic property

• Gypsum has good acoustical properties and is often used for this reason.

Manufacturing process and assembly

• Gypsum board is manufactured by calcining gypsum into a plaster, making slurry from the plaster, and passing the slurry through machines that shape, set and cut it into a board.
• Gypsum board is comprised mainly of a noncombustible gypsum core with fiber and additive, and is covered with special papers.
• Gypsum board should not be directly exposed to water or in areas subject to continuous high humidity.

• Installation as Dry wall: Gypsum board is nailed to wood studs and joists about 16” in both directions.
  • The nails used for joining board and studs should be either blued steel or tempered aluminum to prevent rust.

• Installation as Ceiling: Gypsum board is screwed to grid of steel channels that are suspended from the structural ceiling.
  • This system lowers the ceiling height and eases the distribution of mechanical equipment and secures wires to the structural ceiling.

Environmental impact

• Gypsum board is non-toxic.
• Gypsum board is comprised of recycled paper backing and renewable agricultural resources.

LEED

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Life Safety & Rating Standards

Flammability rating

• 45 - 120 minutes

Coefficient of friction

• varies depending on finish

References

Notes

Student contributions

• Purvi Thakkar, Fall 2005
• Janna Frapart, Spring 2008

See also

Similar materials

• Plaster

Building references

• Scripps Center for Early Detection, San Diego, California

External links

Additional resources

• Riggs, J.Rosemary. Material and components of interior architecture(6th edition)
• Rupp, William. Construction materials for interior design. Watson-guptill publications, 1981
• Gypsum Association
• Building Green website
• McGraw Hill Construction Sweets
• Georgia-Pacific

Leading manufacturers

• National Gypsum Company
• United States Gypsum Company