Consider a gypsum board for a false wall

Gypsum boards have been used as false walls for ceilings and walls. PHOTO/courtesy

What you need to know:

We can all use an extra room in a house. Yet, no one enjoys building an extra wall or move things to ensure that part of construction happens. And that is how gypsum boards come into the picture.

We can all use an extra room in a house. Yet, no one enjoys building an extra wall or move things to ensure that part of construction happens. And that is how gypsum boards come into the picture.

Ever wondered how you can easily add a partition to your home or commercial building?

Alternatively,, you may be looking at giving walls and the ceiling a new life.

A gypsum board, commonly known as drywall is the premier building material for wall, ceiling, and partition systems in residential, institutional, and commercial structures.

The panels are made out of gypsum material, which may not affect your health unless you inhale much of it, especially during installation.

Considering gypsum boards

Before you consider thinking of gypsum boards, there are different things you need to consider.

One needs to consider the design idea, the interior designer, the cost and the state of spaces to be designed.

You do not just go out to buy gypsum boards because they have other installation materials that go with them.

One must keep in mind that this is for temporary purposes. When one needs to change designs in their home without bringing down the whole house, this would be the best option. If you are looking for a permanent structure, gypsum boards may not be a great idea.

Since they can be installed onto the ceiling, as an accent wall, one may need to know why they need a gypsum board.

The types

According to Isaac Aryong, an interior designer, the difference between gypsum boards is the thickness. While some are 9mm, the others are 12mm.

9mm boards are usually used in both plain ceilings and decorative ceilings, TV walls, display units and other wall designs since they are lighter.

12mm, are mainly for partitioning walls because they are thicker and firmer. 

As an alternative to a week-long plaster application, an entire house can be drywalled in one or two days by two experienced drywall carpenters, it is also easy enough to be installed by many amateur home carpenters.

In large-scale commercial construction, the work of installing and finishing drywall is often split between drywall mechanics who install the wallboard, and a crew who finish the joints and cover the fastener heads with joint compound.

However, much as gypsum board installation brings you a classic looking your house, it may not be a good option for one with limited space since they take up space themselves. And if overused, can make a house feel cluttered.

While they may come mainly in rectangle form, your designer should be able to form any design.

They normally help you in choosing which lights fit better with which boards.

Why you need them

According to Edrine Kimera, a 3D studio interior designer at Jomera Homes and Gardens, installing gypsum boards is not a necessity. However, if you need a luxury feel, they are the way to go.

He says that making false wall and ceilings out of gypsum helps in proper cable management since it is easy to line them beneath the false walls and have a clutter free house.

Much as it may seem expensive, it is not as costly as building a permanent wall or ceiling.

Finding a professional designer in this case will also help you have great results in smooth walls and quality types of boards

Cost

Common gypsum boards come from different countries such as Egypt, Italy, China and some are Ugandan made. As such, the quality will vary.

The price, however does not vary much.

While a 9mm gypsum board will cost an average of Shs50, 000, and 12mm at an average range of 60,000 per board panel, which is a four by eight in width and length respectively.

In Kampala, the price ranges from Shs40, 000 to Shs75, 000.

From online shops, they can be got at factory price between Shs13, 000 and  Shs23, 000 without shipping costs.

It is less costly to just pay for the whole installation since you may not only need the board, but also the framework and other installation materials.

According to Aryong, a finished job is priced per square meter which goes for an average of Shs120, 000.