Nick Fontana

Material Research

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Gypsum Wallboard

Material Specifications

o Master specification number- 092900

o Manufacturers- PABCO, American Gypsum, Georgia- Pacific, Sheetrock

o Common generic term- Sheetrock

Material Application

o Materials intended use- Interior walls, partitions, and ceilings

o Emerging applications- It is most widely used as an interior surface in residential

and nonresidential interiors

o Physical properties-

Paper finish- provides a smooth and clean surface which allows for a

variety of finishes like paint, wallpaper and textures

Shape- Rectangular panel boards are most common, but due to the

flexibility of gypsum board, curved walls and column enclosures can be

created for making dynamic space.

Most common size- 4’x8’x 1/2”

Weight- 2 psf at 1/2"

o Acoustic properties- Gypsum has good acoustical properties and is often used for

this reason.

o Structural Properties-

Gypsum board has excellent properties in strength, lightness, sound-

resistance and fire-resistance.

It is easy to form and has a pleasing appearance.

Gypsum is an easy material to work with and is therefore very cheap to

install

o Installation as Dry wall-

Gypsum board is nailed to wood studs and joists about 16” in both

directions

The nails used for joining board and studs should be either blued steel or

tempered aluminum to prevent rust

o Installation as Ceiling-

Gypsum board is screwed to grid of steel channels that are suspended

from the structural ceiling

This system lowers the ceiling height and eases the distribution of

mechanical equipment and secures wires to the structural ceiling

o Cost analysis-

$ 1.50/SF - $ 6.00/SF (including installation)

Material background

o How it’s made

Gypsum board is manufactured by converting gypsum into a plaster,

making slurry from the plaster, and passing the slurry through machines

that shape, set and cut it into a board

Gypsum board is comprised mainly of a noncombustible gypsum core

with fiber and additive, and is covered with special papers

o Components and where it’s found

Gypsum is a non-metallic mineral, found in rock form

Its place of origin is Michigan

Gypsum is found in many parts of the world

Gypsum deposits lie in flat beds of about six to eight feet in thickness

These deposits were formed millions of years ago when salt water oceans

covered most of the earth. As they receded, many inland seas were formed

which, as evaporation continued, became more and more salty. As those

salts precipitated, they formed various compounds in turn, one of which

was gypsum

Environmental Impact

o Life expectancy: 30-70 years

o Gypsum board is comprised of recycled paper backing and renewable agricultural

resources

Gypsum rock

Installation Process

How it’s made