One of the most versatile materials for interior decoration is drywall (GCR). With it, you can align the walls and ceiling, create original designs. For the ceiling, the thickness of the drywall may be different from that used for other works. There is no separate concept for ceiling gypsum board. This material differs in appearance, thickness.
GKL concept
In the 19th century, the English owner of the paper mill, Augustin Sackett, invented drywall with a thickness of 15 mm as an alternative to the “construction board”. Between two layers of building board, he placed a layer of hardened gypsum dough. Such material made it possible to sheathe walls and ceilings of rooms, hiding irregularities, to perform partitions. Depending on the work performed, the thickness of the drywall is taken into account. For a GKL ceiling, the sheets are different from those that cover the walls.
GKL types
Drywall varies depending on in which room it is used and for which particular structure. The main selection criteria will be its properties and scope. The difference is easy to determine by the color of the building material. For decoration, GKL is usually used:
- normal;
- fire resistant;
- moisture resistant;
- water resistant.
Depending on the application, there are:
Normal
This is the most common and commonly used type of GCR. It is a classic version of combining gypsum and gray cardboard sheets. Due to the relatively light weight and, accordingly, ease of installation, it is often used when working at heights. However, the use of this species is possible only in rooms with low humidity, since it no longer has additional beneficial properties in the form of resistance to moisture. For the ceiling, the thickness of this type of drywall is at most 9.5 mm. It is such GCR that can be easily processed and pasted with wallpaper or other finishing materials. Safety of human health is ensured by environmentally friendly materials used in its manufacture.
Moisture resistant (GKLV)
Green outer sheets of cardboard indicate the purpose of drywall for decoration of rooms with high humidity. It can be used even in bathrooms, due to the presence of specific elements that lower the moisture absorption threshold. When using it, you should not be afraid that the material will swell, mold, change its appearance. The thickness of the moisture resistant gypsum board used for finishing ceilings is selected by analogy with a conventional sheet.
Fire Resistant (GKLO)
The third type of material is used if necessary to build any structure near fire hazardous objects (fireplaces, stoves). It is able to withstand high temperatures. Often this drywall is specifically used in the construction of partitions in the premises, in order to reduce the speed of spread of fire in case of fire.
Moistureproof (GKLVO)
The most optimal type of drywall for indoor work. But it is quite heavy. If it is necessary to sheathe the ceiling with this particular material, considerable force will be required. Plus, the rather high cost of the material.
By application
The dimensions of one sheet of drywall of any kind allow you to close the surface with an area of three square meters. The average weight of the sheets is approximately 30 kg. The thickness of the sheets is also different, therefore, it must be taken into account when deciding what thickness to use drywall for the ceiling.
If you want to create a real work of art with rounded elements on the ceiling, or mount it in the form of multi-level steps, you should pay attention to the arched drywall with a thickness of 6.5 mm. It is easy to bend and fasten, for example, in the form of a wave.
Another commonly used type of drywall is ceiling with a thickness of up to 9.5 mm. It is medium in severity among already known species and therefore is also often used for ceilings. The thickness of the drywall plays a big role when choosing, since it affects the weight of the product. The thicker the building material, the heavier the sheet will be and the more difficult it is to work with it, especially on the ceiling.
The most severe is wall drywall with a thickness of up to 12.5 mm. It is practically not used in the decoration of the ceiling because of its severity. Well suited for mounting on walls and where work is not required on an elevation.
Thus, if you want to realize your wildest design ideas on the ceiling or just close all its irregularities, the ceiling view of drywall will remain the best choice. They also stop at it due to the low cost compared to other types.
Calculation of the required amount of drywall
How to calculate the drywall consumption for the ceiling? Before starting construction work, it is necessary to make careful measurements and determine the area of the ceiling. Knowing the size of drywall, it is easy to calculate how many whole sheets are needed, and how many will have to be cut. The easiest way is to take a sheet of paper, mark the area of the ceiling on it and mark the sheets of gypsum plaster. In this case, it will immediately be seen how many solid sheets can be mounted.
After that, it is worth determining the thickness of the sheets that you plan to purchase. If you need to perform a complex structure on the ceiling, it is better to take lightweight building material. It will be better to bend, taking the required shape. Lift and mount it on weight will also be much easier than heavier.
In rooms with high humidity or in the presence of an open source of fire, one should not skimp when buying drywall. Properly selected, it will be able to protect residents in a fire and withstand temperature extremes, lack of heating. For example, when repairing a country house.
Easy to install, suitable for many types of finishing, drywall has gained popularity since its invention almost two centuries ago. Such a ceiling will delight the eyes with its grace and beauty for a long time. It is appreciated by craftsmen of all levels, making it possible for a beginner in construction to work with it.