First invented in the late 1880s, drywall has become the go-to material used for ceilings and interior walls in all types of buildings. Even though it’s merely comprised of gypsum and paper, this wonderful substance can be found in practically every structure on the planet.
One of the best things about is that installation is so inexpensive. And none of its supplies and materials will bankrupt you. You can tear out existing drywall in a room and re-wall it expensively. All you need are a few simple supplies.
If you’re from Toronto or Mississauga and looking for a reliable supplier of drywall materials like the ones listed below for your next home project, check out Bernardi Building Supply at bernardibuildingsupply.com. They are a one-stop shop for construction and home project supplies, providing reliable and fast delivery.
Jump to:
1. Drywall Panels
Of course, the main material you need for plastering your wall is the drywall panels. It’s called many names including wallboard, plasterboard, custard board, buster board, or by one of its brand names Sheetrock.
Regardless, drywall panels are thick sheets of gypsum between the backing and front layers. These are inexpensive, easy to handle, and readily available.
However, it can get a bit more expensive if you choose the specialty products like sound-proof drywall or ultralight drywall.
Drywall panels come in convenient sheets at 4 feet wide and 8 feet long. In general, they are doubled-up, two boards in a single pack. The half-inch drywall is normally for interior walls, while the slightly thicker ones are used on garage walls that adjoin the house or are used in fire-prone areas such as a furnace room.
2. Mud
Joint compound or mud join panels of drywall and cover up any holes. This material comes either dry in paper bags for you to mix or in ready-mixed plastic tubs. The latter is most recommended as correctly mixing mud can be difficult especially for beginners.
You can also find low-dust joint compounds that can help in reducing— but still won’t eliminate— the far-reaching clouds of drywall dust. Although it will cost about twice as much as the regular joint compound. Even yet, for people who suffer from respiratory problems, the extra expense may be justified.
3. Tape
To join sheets of drywall, you need tape. When embedded in the mud, tape forms a hard connection once the mud dries. In general, you have two options for drywall tape:
- Paper Tape
Paper tapes are cheap and quite strong. If you try to demolish an old wall joined with paper tapes in mud, you’ll realize that the joints are just as strong as the drywall panels themselves.
You can use paper tapes to join all connections, except for the outside corners (you’ll need the next material for that). You can use paper tape in joining two drywall sheets with tapered ends on each as well as joining sheets on inside corners. You may also butt-join two sheets with two flat ends and no taper with paper tape.
- Fiberglass Tape
If you have the budget and want a stronger connection, then flat fiberglass tape is your other alternative. It provides a super-strong joint and it self-adheres.
With paper tape, you need to lay down a thin coat of mud so that it sticks. However, fiberglass tapes already have adhesive backings, so don’t need mud.
Other than removing a step from your work process, fiberglass tape also lays onto a perfectly flat drywall board. Paper tapes are prone to lumpy due to the mud.
4. Corner Beads
With drywalls, you have outside or inside corners. As mentioned before, inside corners can be formed with paper tape. A corner bead, on the other hand, is required for the outside corners that are prone to be struck.
Corner beads are designed to define the outside corners of your drywall and protect against bumps, strikes, and chipping. Corner beads can be found in different materials and styles including:
- Vinyl: Durable and rust-proof, vinyl corner beads are best for damp areas.
- Galvanized Steel: This is the common, durable option that can be installed using nails or screws.
- Paper-Faced: Similar to drywall tape, a paper-faced corner bead is attached using mud. It is quick to install and resist cracking.
5. Drywall Knives
These are specialized knives that are the types of putty knives you may already have in your toolbox. The good news is that drywall knives are cheap. You’ll need the 4- and 6-inch knives for slopping the mud into place as well as for taping. Meanwhile, a 12-inch knife is used for final coating and feathering.
6. Drywall Screws
To attach the drywall to ceiling joists or studs, you need a fastener. Traditionally, nails are used, however, drywall screws are preferred nowadays.
This is because they have better holding power and don’t pop out of the wall as nails do. With drywall screws, you have two options:
- Coarse Thread: This type is often used to attach drywall to wooden studs and offers extra holding power.
- Fine Thread: Having a smaller head and a sharp point, fine thread allows for easy penetration and is best used to attach drywall to metal studs.
7. Jab Saw
This is one of those tools that is incredibly indispensable for one job only, that is cutting drywall, and practically worthless for other projects or tasks. That said, it is a must-buy for your drywall project.
A jab saw is a hand saw featuring a 6-inch blade, coarse teeth, and sharpened tip. It’s like a sturdy, construction-ready type of serrated kitchen knife. The sharp tip helps penetrate drywall while its serrated edge helps create straight, sharp cuts.
8. Sanding Tool
Once you’ve completed fastening your drywall, you’ll need to sand away the imperfections for a finished, polished look. That said, there are several options for sanding away the imperfect spots:
- Sandpaper: This is the tried-and-tested material for numerous sanding projects.
- Pole Sanders: This type of sanding tool features a long pole attached to the base, allowing you to reach ceilings or tall walls for sanding.
- Sanding Sponges: Offering more coverage than sandpaper, sanding sponges are often used for detail work or sanding corners.
Conclusion
And there you have it! These are just some of the important supplies you need for a drywall project. Whether you’re hanging a single replacement sheet or completing a whole room, you’ll need the above materials and tools to complete any drywall project.
