Howstuffworks "Drywall"

Drywall and plaster make up almost every room. Learn how to install, maintain and repair drywall, plaster and paneling.

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Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this How Stuff Works article:

Club, Fix-It. "Drywall." 23 March 2007. HowStuffWorks.com. <http://www.howstuffworks.com/drywall.htm> 15 May 2008.

Drywall

by Fix-It Club

Drywall repairs typically mean patching rather than replacing. However, you should know something about drywall. Drywall, also known as gypsum wallboard, has all but replaced plaster in modern homes. Its rocklike gypsum core makes drywall as fire-resistant as plaster, and its heavy paper facing eliminates the cracking problems that plague plaster walls. Best of all, drywall is far easier to work with than plaster.

Drywall is valued for its strength,
as well as its ease of installation.
See more drywall pictures.

The standard-size sheets for walls measure 4 x 8 feet. All drywall sheets are 4 feet wide, but many building material outlets offer 10-foot and even 12-foot lengths. The most popular thicknesses of drywall are 1/2 inch (typically for walls) and 5/8-inch (ceilings).

Not what you're looking for? Try these:

Home Repair Tools: Whether you prefer to use the Yellow Pages for anything that needs fixing around the house or consider yourself a regular do-it-yourselfer, there are a handful of tools that everyone should have in their tool box. Learn all about them in this article.
Materials: Just having the tools you need on hand for repairs isn't always enough to do the job. You'll often need various materials, such as lumber or drywall, to complete a task. Check out this article for tips on materials.
Plywood: Available at home centers, hardware stores, and lumberyards, plywood is often better than lumber for some jobs. Learn about the various grades of plywood in this article.
How To Drywall: Unlike some home construction, drywall is fairly easy for the amateur to install and repair. These instructions will have you putting up your own drywall in no time.