Drywall is a popular construction material made from gypsum plaster pressed between two thick slabs of paper. Sheets of fiberglass can also be used in order to prevent mold build-up. Most commonly, drywall is used for interior walls and ceilings. The material allows for faster construction than with plastering finishing techniques.Drywall is made by thermally treating raw gypsum in a kettle or flash calciner. The material is then mixed with a variety of ingredients, including a plasticizer, foaming agent, fiber, ground gypsum crystal, a retarder, additives for mildew or fire resistance, and maybe a touch of wax emulsion (silanes will work too) to reduce water absorption. The wet gypsum is then pressed between two sheets, after which it sets and is then dried in a large chamber.An early form of drywall was first invented in 1894 by Augustine Sackett. Known as Sackett Board, it was made by layering plaster between not two, but four sheets of paper. Gypsum board, introduced in 1910 and refined over the next two decades, eventually eliminated the extra two sheets. Engineers also evolved new ways to make the boards lighter and more fire resistant, popularizing their use in modern construction projects.When using drywall today, builders first cut it to size and then secure it to the wall structure using nails or drywall screws. Occasionally, the drywall can be secured with adhesive. The drywall seams are hidden using joint tape covered with joint compoundalso used on inset screws and other defects in the material. Waterproof the drywall is recommended, especially for high-humidity environments. Special waterproof drywall and drywall-like materials have also been invented, such as greenboard or the similar material cement board.In North America, more than 42 billion square feet of drywall is produced each yearonly slightly Without this precaution, the drywall will eventually disintegrate due to the moisture content.less than half of the 85 billion square feet worldwide. All of that production leaves a lot of waste, both during the manufacturing process and during installation. Manufacturers are working on using recycled paper in production, and also in adding crushed drywall to the soil of construction sites or to compost materials.
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