Build Dry

Drywall construction technique is advantageous in terms of speed in construction and is relatively affordable. The advanced dry partition system is increasingly finding favour in construction technology. With growing awareness of the need for green and sustainable building in India, major developers and contractors have led the industry into using dry partition system in their projects. As opposed to a week-long plaster application, an entire house can be drywalled in one or two days by two experienced drywall mechanics. Amitesh Agrawal, Director-Marketing, India Gypsum Pvt Ltd, shares more on the many advantages of using the drywall construction technique. In the making: In large-scale commercial construction, the wallboard is installed, after which, the joints are finished and the screw heads covered with drywall compound. Drywall is cut to size using a large T-square. Features such as holes for outlets and light switches are usually cut using a keyhole saw or a small high-speed bit in a rotary tool. Drywall is then fixed to the ultra metal steel-frame structure with drywall screws. The drywall system technique is made of Ultra metal steel, which is made of durable galvanised steel; usually, it uses gypsum boards and calcium silicate board as surface materials. It is widely used in offices and residential buildings for its easiness of installation. In light commercial and residential construction, single-board drywall systems (see image) are the most efficiently used wall and ceiling systems. Keeping the green building effect in mind, India Gypsum´s drywall construction system uses drywall that contains maize starch, which works as a binder, providing strength to the board. Maize starch is specially treated to control the bio-load, mainly total viable counts (TVC), yeast mould and gram negative bacteria. Safe and sound: Ultra metal steel systems meet fire-resistance and sound-control requirements with Minerotex insulation. Compared to wooden board, gypsum boards can provide a safer and fire-resistive wall. And, compared to bulky brick wall, they can greatly reduce the weight of a building. Besides, a thermal and acoustic insulation product such as Minerotex glass wool may be filled in the partition frame to create a safe and quiet environment. Advantages in the Indian scenario: In India, the constant improvement in performance for plasterboard to suit residential projects has ensured that such a wall system now meets high-level specifications in the areas of acoustic insulation, thermal insulation and resistance to fire and damp conditions. Besides meeting statutory functional requirements such as fire ratings, the Ultra metal drywalls are able to resist high impact and support loads such as televisions and cabinets. In India, owing to paucity of space and resources, the drywall system is an apt solution for builders because it is lightweight compared to the weight of conventional brick walls. It allows designers to adopt lighter structures, which results in savings in foundation cost. Further, the drywall system is slimmer than conventional brick walls, thus creating more usable space for the rooms. It offers the following advantages: Energy-efficiency: The drywall construction system provides a lot of insulation power; as a result, the heat remains in the building during cold winters and the coolness in hot summers. The true value of drywall systems is seen in the long run when there are substantial cost savings. Faster to build: Compared to other construction materials such as plaster, it is much easier to build with the drywall system; this is one reason why many have started opting for it. Building with Ultra metal drywall is five to eight times faster than using other construction materials. As a result, developers and contractors can save a lot of time. Recyclable: This construction material can be used again in the future; using it to renovate a commercial building is highly recommended. Not only that, choosing drywall as a construction material can help save the environment, thus contributing to the green movement. Eco-friendliness: The ease of installation of mechanical and electrical services within the boards reduces the noise pollution that may be created with the hacking of brick walls to embed the services, providing a cleaner and more environmentally-friendly site. No mess: The use of this system also facilitates dry construction that does not require messy plastering as it is smooth, and surfaces are also ready to receive paint finishes directly. Without the use of plastering, it eliminates possible defects arising from low standard of workmanship. There is no messy hacking of concrete or bricks and no debris introduced in the environment. Savings of cost and time: Drywalls are lighter and, hence, enable builders to decrease the use of reinforcement steel and help increase the height of buildings by 20 per cent. With a saving of 20 per cent in cost and 80 per cent in time over wet walls, Ultra metal steel drywall system constructions are increasingly visible in commercial construction practices and are offered as an option in upscale projects. Going forward, the drywall construction system will continue to grow in popularity in tandem with the growth of green and smart buildings. The application Vertically fit the stud into the track. The maximum desirable distance between studs should be 610 m/m. Gypsum boards can be screwed on both flanges. Both flanges have IGPL Ultra metal steel system with slide-proof points to prevent projecting screws from sliding while fixing the gypsum board. - SERAPHINA D´SOUZA To share your experience and insights on an interesting construction material, write in at feedback@ConstructionWord.in