Wallboard

Wallboard is a manufactured panel made of gypsum sandwiched between two layers of heavy paper - one side smoother than the other. The long ends are slightly beveled to allow for a cavity when two panels are side-by-side. This allows  the edges to be built up with joint compound and sanded to make a flat surface from one board to the next. Wallboard comes in thicknesses of 1/4", 3/8", 1/2" and 5/8". Because of its rigidness and ability to stand up to everyday living, House & Cottage highly recommends it's use as walls throughout the interior of a structure. Type "X" is moisture and fire-resistant.

Preparation: Stack the 5/8" thick wallboard upright in convenient location near the work area. However, keep it away from ladders, jacks or bracing. Examine the bracing to make sure it lines up on 4' centers. Check for bowed walls and studs. Check the ceiling joist alignment for a smooth even surface. One consideration is using 10' or 12' lengths to reduce the number of seams. Around door and window areas, its good to use solid pieces that don't have to be butted, Make sure ends are at 16" off-center in order to provide a nailing surface. Make sure lumber is dry before installing wallboard over it.

Attaching Wallboard: There are three methods in way of joining wallboards to studs - nailing, gluing or screwing. House & Cottage recommends screwing as the most secure way of attachment. The pieces should fit snugly together taking care NOT TO FIT TOGETHER two cut pieces of wallboard to avoid uneven joints. Fasteners should be around seven inches apart along each stud. Use a special wallboard hammer when driving nails to avoid cracking wallboard around each nail, dimpling around each nail to be filled in with joint compound later. Underneath stud area should be a "wavy" glue bead to assure strong bonding.

Cutting Holes In Wallboard: Mark the hole carefully. On the indicator line, push point of drywall saw carefully into material, then saw along that line. Score outline of hole and mark a center "X" through the part to be removed. To break wallboard, tap at center of "X" with a hammer. Turn wallboard over and carefully trim using a utility knife.

Wallboard should be braced against ceiling using "foot fulcrums" during installation. Wallboard jacks make a "one-man" installation of ceiling panels possible.

Taping & Filling Joints: Spread compound along length of joint, applying wet joint tape using a putty knife to smooth it out. With a 4" putty knife, apply a thin layer of compound feathering edges carefully. Fill-in nail dimples. Let compound dry, then sand, or use a wet sponge to smooth with a four inch putty knife. Finally apply a second coat and feather with a six inch putty knife and smooth with sandpaper after joint compound has dried.