20/06/2018
5 Reasons to use drywall in your home in SA
Articles
South African homeowners have seemingly long held the belief that quality building and improvement in residential properties can only be achieved using brick and mortar. Drywall as a preferred material for domestic use has thus largely been neglected over the years. The purpose of this article is to point out the advantages of using drywall at one’s home, and to give 5 reasons to do so.
First off, one needs to reiterate what drywall is. The drywall itself consists of a gypsum core board encased in, and firmly bonded to, special recycled paper liners. These boards are fixed to galvanised steel frames consisting of wall studs and floor and ceiling tracks, set in place to form the foundation of the wall. The joints between boards are plastered with a joining compound similar to Rhinolite, finished to give it a similar look to brick & plastered wall.
Here are 5 reasons why you should consider using drywall above brick wall in renovation projects at your home:
1. Versatility – Drywalls can be used in curved, suspended, arched, and other shaped designs according to the specific requirements of the clients. They can also be tiled, painted or plastered.
2. Durability – Drywalls are extremely durable when used in the correct locations (indoors) and also come in soundproof, fireproof and waterproof formats. If constructed correctly, one can fix weighted objects such as mirrors, framed pictures and even TV monitors to drywalls, making them just as practical as a solid brick wall.
3. Cost effectiveness – The material cost of drywalls is almost similar to that of using brick and mortar. However, because of the speed with which drywalls are installed, labour costs when compared to brick building may be substantially lower, which makes drywalling a highly cost-effective building method.
4. Time – One of the biggest advantages of using drywall in domestic projects is the little time it takes to install when compared to brick walls. For example, if one constructs a single brick wall of 2.6m high and 4m long, plasters and paints it, it will take about 5 to 6 days to complete. A drywall with the same measurements will take only 1 and a half days.
5. Convenience – Drywalling is a clean process when compared to brick and mortar construction. There is no need for strong foundations, there is no cement mixing on site, and installation is virtually dust-free. Moreover, the walls are very easy to remove, making them ideal for temporary structures in domestic environments where the future usage of a specific space is unsure.
Once you have decided to use drywall and partitioning in your home, you will probably find a number of uses around the house for it. Drywalling is definitely becoming more and more popular in South Africa. Consult a professional drywall contractor to advise you on the specifics of your own home.
Set up a meeting with a Smarten Renovate consultant for a free, no-obligation quote by booking here. We will contact you within hours to confirm the booking or to make alternative arrangements.
