Drywall Roofing and Insulation

Drywall is a panel composed of gypsum plaster sandwiched between thick paper, used in constructing interior walls and ceilings as an expedient substitute to traditional lath-and-plaster methods.

Drywall can also be called plasterboard, wallboard, gypsum board, or Sheetrock. Some drywall is weatherproofed for outdoor use.

Insulation

If you’re building a new home or remodeling an existing one, insulation could be beneficial. Not only will it improve comfort levels in your house, but it also contributes to its energy efficiency.

Insulation is constructed of various materials to keep heat inside and cold outside. It also prevents drafts and dampness from forming in your home.

When selecting insulation for your home, several factors need to be considered, such as the space you occupy, the climate in the region, and your budget.

Insulating attics and crawlspaces, as well as walls, ceilings, and floors of all rooms in your home, will reduce heating and cooling costs. Not only does this save money on energy bills, but it can also extend the life of your furnace and air-conditioner.

When selecting insulation, there is one thing all types have in common: a high R-value (the rate at which heat moves out). This number measures how well insulation resists temperature transfer between spaces.

As insulation, R-values will deteriorate over time; thus, it’s essential to choose an insulating material with a higher R-value than necessary in order to guarantee optimal comfort and energy efficiency in your home.

At your local hardware store, you can typically find information on the various insulating materials. Usually, the R-value will be listed on the product label.

If you are a homeowner, be sure to refer to the United States Department of Energy’s R-value map for information regarding what constitutes a minimum R-value in each state.

Insulation is most efficient when combined with other elements in a structure, such as framing, windows, and doors. For it to coagulate and seal properly with the rest of the building structure, insulation must form an effective microclimate.

Under-insulated homes make it difficult to maintain comfortable temperatures year-round and can cost you more money in the long run to heat and cool your residence. Insulation also makes your property more appealing to buyers, so if you are thinking of selling, investing in a professional inspection and energy audit is recommended.

Acoustics

Acoustics in a building, whether it be an office space, healthcare facility, or school, is an essential factor to take into account and design for. Not only can it impact occupant comfort and well-being, but it also contributes to Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ).

Acoustic insulation used in wall assemblies with an STC rating of 52 or higher helps reduce sound transmission through walls, leading to improved indoor environmental quality (IEQ).

Furthermore, it offers greater privacy to building occupants in areas where sound from other buildings may pass through walls, such as hotel rooms, offices, and classrooms.

Drywall insulation is widely used in applications that need soundproofing and control, such as interior walls in hotels, restaurants, schools, and home theaters.

Additionally, it creates a high STC rating for commercial building walls in places like churches or hospitals.

Stone wool, foam, and fiberglass are efficient solutions for controlling and eliminating sound in a space. It’s also cost-effective for residential projects when combined with soundproofing materials like acoustic drywall or Green glue-damping compounds.

For instance, a matrix consisting of two layers of 58″ drywall with an additional layer of ROCKWOOL SAFE’n’SOUND(r) fiberglass in between can significantly reduce airborne and impact noise levels. The fiberglass acts as a sound absorber, while the drywall makes the ceiling thicker than just 5/8″ drywall alone, so it absorbs more sound waves.

In addition to soundproofing materials such as ROCKWOOL SAFE’n’SOUND(r), it is essential that there are air gaps between the main components of a wall assembly. These air gaps isolate drywall, fiberglass, and steel studs from one another, making it harder for low-frequency sounds to pass through all pieces of the assembly.

When it comes to soundproofing your building, multiple strategies can be employed. You must weigh all options before beginning work on the project; the most efficient strategy will depend on the individual building, its individual needs, and construction assemblies.

Durability

Drywall is made from gypsum and wood fibers in various thicknesses and types. The most popular option is oriented strand board, which consists of hundreds of thin wood strands glued together with wax and resin adhesive. While less expensive than plywood, it may have soft spots which may not last as long as more durable options. Waferboard, on the other hand, is made up of tiny pieces pressed into a hydraulic press before gluing together;. However, cheaper, it has weaker properties due to a lack of water-proofing materials used during cold weather conditions. No matter which option you opt for, though, always use a vapor retarder (plenum) to prevent water seepage into walls during cold weather conditions.