Gypsum
Kasey Denis
General Information
Gypsum board, commonly known as drywall, is the premier building material for wall, ceiling, and partition systems in residential, institutional, and commercial structures due to its inherent fire resistance, sound control, economy, versatility, quality, and convenience.
Gypsum board, or plaster, is produced by crushing, heating, and dehydrating raw gypsum. Gypsum is a soft, abundant mineral mined around the world. It is typically mined by blasting mineral deposits in a quarry. Gypsum board is used in the construction of interior walls and ceilings.
Environmental Impact
Gypsum board production has a noticeable environmental impact. Processing the gypsum releases particulates from the gypsum powder in addition to sulfur dioxide, nitrous oxide, and carbon monoxide. Heating the gypsum also has a high energy cost.
Additionally, there are a few issues with the disposal of gypsum board. Due to the fact that up to 12% of gypsum board is wasted during the manufacturing and installation processes and the material is frequently not re-used, disposal can become a problem.
Gypsum board has no impact on indoor air quality.
Use in Interior Setting
1. Long expanses of drywall and magnetic surfaces offer plenty of work and display space in this open and airy office space. Coolest Homes for Artists & Art Collectors - Dwell
1. This pure white gypsum board acts as a clean backdrop for the biophilic living room. Before & After An Architect and His Friend Tackle a DIY Remodel of a Lakeside Cottage - Dwell
3. In a midcentury lakeside home, a fireplace was covered in plaster to create a smooth finish and achieve the room's desired appearance. Before & After A Midcentury Lakeside Home Receives a Stunning New Look - Dwell
4. The freshly applied gypsum board in this quaint bedroom creates a light and airy feel within the room. Before & After An Architect and His Friend Tackle a DIY Remodel of a Lakeside Cottage - Dwell
5. An extension of drywall out from the stair treads helps create enough space underneath to squeeze a bathroom in this Toronto residence. An Old Garage in Toronto Becomes a Highly Efficient Laneway Home - Dwell
Ceiling
In this application, Gypsum is used in the ceiling of a guest bath in a Maryland Residence. It is used in order to make a clean, smooth surface for the ceiling as well as allow for LED lights to be recessed within. To finish a drywall ceiling, there are a few options you can do to complete it if you do not want to leave it as is. Most commonly, individuals tend to either paint their drywall or add a texture such as a popcorn ceiling texture, orange peel ceiling texture, or spray sand ceiling texture.
Organizations
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Drywall Association
Relevant Testing through ASTM
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C28 - Specification for Gypsum Plasters
