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Drywall Options Throughout Walls

Tom Xu • Jan 02, 2022

The Best Drywall Options for Your Walls

Drywall is the first option when it comes to choosing materials for your interior wall covering. This wall material is versatile, especially when installing drywall access panels bead flange for your mechanical systems. Although it is cheap and easy to work with, drywall installation can be tricky, involving taping, mudding, and sanding. The last step is the most excruciating one since it creates clouds of fine dust. It can be tricky trying to figure out the secrets to clean finish drywall. 


In addition, drywall creates a hollow sound when bumped, disturbing the occupants inside your establishment. It also does not hold well when it comes to water damage or in high-traffic areas. When dealing with renovation or any construction project, choosing the suitable wall material is a vital decision that can affect the whole ambiance of your room. So, if you're looking for other alternatives from the ordinary drywall, here are some other materials you can check out; 


1. Wood Planks


If you want to achieve a rustic look for your room, then this option is your go-to. This cost-effective solution is also preferable to
drywall when you want to have a country-style home. The wood planks are excellent options since you can install these without having any trouble. Wood planks aren't as easy to work with compared to the other option, but they won't be too difficult to figure out. This material usually offers you many options too. It means you can choose from many different types of wood to achieve the desired look for your establishment or home. 


2. Plastic Panels


Plastic panels are perfect if you want a more versatile alternative. The tongue and groove wall panel is straightforward to install. You can easily lock this material into place, and it will be good to go. People typically use plastic wall panels to cover up drywall that has been injured or damaged. Even still, this is an excellent option if you need a drywall alternative. Unfortunately, The most excellent plastic panels on the market may be on the pricier side. But, you can still find more inexpensive options. Unfortunately, these are a little less desirable than the tongue and groove plastic wall panel. 


3. Plywood


Plywood will undoubtedly be your first option if you try to build your walls as inexpensively as possible. It can be purchased at a highly affordable price and is pretty easy to work with overall. This will be among the most accessible materials to build a wall when you don't have much experience. All you have to do is effortlessly screw the wall into place. Since plywood is so easy to work with, you don't need to be an experienced primary builder to use it. It's a very inexpensive material that can save you time and money when you're building walls. 


Unfortunately, This isn't going to be relatively as easy to use as drywall. Drywall has some efficient features, such as being fire resistant and having a more natural look. Plywood is a great option, but it isn't preferable to drywall unless you need to cost-cut expenses. It will depend on your budget and your comfort level when it comes to using drywall.


4. Veneer Plaster


Veneer plaster surprisingly has a much better surface for
interior walls rather than the ordinary drywall. Typically, you apply this material with a plaster-ready gypsum board. It's harder and smoother than drywall. But you might have to ask someone for assistance because installing it requires excellent trowel skills. It's also a good option if you are looking for an alternative to refurbishing your old walls. Instead of ripping out the walls, apply veneer plaster on top with a bonding agent. All in all, this is an outstanding surface but more costly than drywall alone.


5. Pegboard


Pegboard is convenient to use, and you'll be able to use it to add extra storage space to a room. People often use pegboard walls in garages to have a spot to hang their tools. All that you need to do is fasten the pegboard to the studs. You won't have to do any complicated finishing process either. This material may not give you a lot of visual designs to choose from, so you likely won't want to use a pegboard inside your home. Pegboards are relatively easy to install because you will only need to screw them in place. Utilizing pegboards are great when you have a garage area or some other type of workshop area. Although, This drywall alternative is only desirable in particular instances. You won't want to have a pegboard wall in your living room. You can decide to use pegboard walls wherever and whenever you want to, but it wouldn't exactly look natural in most settings.


6. Lath and Plaster 

 

Lath and plaster was previously a very prevalent option for building walls before drywall. In complete honesty, this is not the simplest way to do things, but it will be effective. You can create a lovely border, and it will even be convenient for installing insulation so long as you plan. The overall design that you can have with lath and plaster walls is equally impressive. If you want to create a wall that will look nice in your home, then this is something that you should consider. If you are looking for another best option rather than the ordinary drywall to eliminate the hassle, this option isn't what you would prefer. Unfortunately, It takes too long to build a wall using this method for most people. This option isn't the most practical way to do things to save yourself some time and money. 


Looking for suitable material for your walls may be a challenging task, but there are still many options available if you're looking for other alternatives for drywall. The key to choosing the suitable wall material for your home or establishment is to check and follow the following factors: durability, efficiency, versatility, price, and most significantly, the
aesthetic appeal it provides for the room. 


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Estimating your total expenses is essential to avoid exceeding your planned budget when it comes to construction projects. Drywall installation is a big project. It also involves the following factors: the installment, labor, materials, and other equipment involved, such as installing drywall access doors and panels for your wirings or plumbings. These processes will involve additional payments that you will have to include in your budget. On the bright side, you won't have to worry if you'll exceed your budget. This article will serve as your guide to know what to expect when dealing with drywall installation projects. But first, you need to choose what type of drywall you want for your establishment because this will also vary in the total costing of the project. Types of Drywall There are also other drywall options that you can choose from if you have a bigger budget. You can select from either of the options on which is much more efficient for the space you are renovating. The standard drywall is the most economical option on the market. Still, if you are interested in other expensive types, these options may be worth the additional investment in some cases. Moisture-resistant panels: This drywall option is more beneficial for humid rooms, which are most likely your bathroom or kitchen. Mold-resistant panels: If you think the room you're renovating is susceptible to high levels of moisture, then a mold-resistant material could be worth it. However, they're more expensive than standard moisture-resistant panels and still won't cope with saturated or flooded conditions. Fire-resistant panels: This option is advantageous if you want to use non-combustible fibers of different ratings. These are most likely in commercial settings. However, this material is required in a garage if it shares a wall or ceiling with the main home. Soundproof panels: This type of drywall is ideal for music rooms, a baby's room if you want to dampen external noises, or even a teen's bedroom if they enjoy the company of loud music. Eco-friendly panels: If you want a more environmentally friendly alternative, then this drywall is for you. Drywall panels constructed from recycled materials are available in the market, but unfortunately, sustainable materials typically cost more than regular drywall. Drywall Hanging and Taping Drywall installation costs vary significantly in the United States. Typically, residential jobs range from $955 to $2547 with an average of 1,000 square feet at $2,290; the area, contractor, and specs tend to impact the job's overall cost intensely. Adding specialty material such as green board or other brands of drywall for fire resistance or adding features that require special skills such as archways can increase the price. Cities in the northeast, such as New York City and Philadelphia, tend to have the highest labor and material costs in the country, drastically increasing the cost of having drywall installed on your project. On a per-square-foot basis, the average range for drywall installation costs is between $1.60 and $2.35. Meanwhile, with outliers at $1.20 and $3.00 on the low and high ends of the field. Materials When deliberating on the material costs, first, you must answer the question, "what type of drywall do you need for the job?" Three-eighths, half-inch, and five-eights are the mainstays of most projects, with some specialty archways and similar projects requiring quarter-inch. Understanding all of the materials needed for the specs and codes of the project is a vital part of creating a solid estimate of drywall installation costs. Another aspect to consider is how material prices can rapidly change. Generally speaking, you want to lock in prices for your estimate to ensure you can receive that price when it's actually time to build, but it can be a pain requesting a quote from your supplier every time you have a project come up. This extra work is why many contractors fail to get quotes from suppliers. This instance can lead to problems if a sudden national supply shortage following a natural disaster, manufacturing plant fire, or a similar issue causes a shorter supply than is usually available. Labor Costs When choosing the right people for installing your drywall, an experienced one may cost a little more, but you will have the assurance that the project will go smoothly according to plan. An experienced worker will surely know the flow of the project, like how to install an access panel in a drywall ceiling and other processes. Similarly, an inexperienced taper may take much longer to get the job done, so even though their hourly wage is less than a professional taper, they will tend to cost more in the long run because they move more slowly. The distinction in a company's quoted price is generally more inclined on its labor costs than material costs. There is a wide range in labor costs from one company to another based on its structure and ability. Labor prices may also vary from state to state and different cities. Prices for labor only for hanging and taping drywall can range from 45 cents per square foot to 100 cents per square foot. You should expect to pay more in work for rooms with high ceilings, tricky angles, or decorative undersurfaces. Permits, Prep Work, and Rentals Beyond simple labor and materials, there are several other different job-related costs that your business wouldn't sustain unless you were working on that specific project. Permits for the project, extra labor, expenses for having prep work done before drywalling, and other included chores can eat away at your profitability if you don't take them into account. When you're estimating a new job, it's essential to consider every potential expense so that you include everything. Overall, when it comes to drywall installation, estimating the value of the project is vital. First, you need to make a checklist of the different materials included. Hiring a trusted contractor for the project will also allow you to ensure how much the project will cost. Remember to ask for quotes from different companies before starting your construction project. With this, you will secure that your estimated budget will go according to plan.
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