They started repairing or refurbishing rooms in the apartment, but they were horrified to find that the walls, due to unfair treatment of the builders, have many irregularities and are made with a deviation from the vertical. The option of leveling the surface by applying an additional layer of plaster is very complex and economically disadvantageous.
The walls trimmed with plasterboard material look much more beautiful and practical. The popularity of gypsum boards is due to the property of the material and convenient installation technology. It is possible to fasten sheets by gluing, but in this case it is very difficult to level the surface. It will be much more reliable to use a full-fledged supporting frame using a special metal profile for drywall. The main types, sizes and methods of fastening the material will be discussed in this article.
Features and purpose of structural elements
The metal profile for drywall allows you to fully implement many design decisions to change the interior of almost any room. This type of drywall fastener allows you to assemble partitions of any shape.
Gypsum products perfectly absorb moisture, while not drying out, but also not moistened excessively. Therefore, gypsum material does not lose its configuration in any operating conditions. You can also highlight the excellent soundproofing properties of the tiles.
The metal profile for drywall differs from the wooden frame with excellent moisture-proofing properties. During production, the surface of the profile is subjected to the application of a layer of galvanized iron, which leads to excellent protection of the material from rust. Due to the flexibility of the material, the installation of a metal profile for drywall makes it possible to carry out interior design of any complexity. However, the small thickness of the metal helps to facilitate the product, so the total mass of the entire frame does not create additional load on the bearing walls.
Types of metal profiles
A person engaged in repairing constantly, can easily figure out a fairly wide range of different types of metal profiles for drywall. But for home masters who first decided to assemble a supporting frame from profile material, it is necessary to carefully study the main types of profiles and their differences.
All profiles used to repair the walls of buildings can be conditionally divided by area of use:
By the function used in a particular design:
A separate type is considered to be an arched metal profile for drywall. Such material is intended for the formation of various interior details with a certain degree of bending. They have the same size as the bearing ceiling, but with notches that allow you to give the product a bend of any shape.
You can also distinguish two more special types of metal profiles for drywall:
- corner profile (PU), which is designed to strengthen both external and internal angles;
- beacon profile (PM), serves to level the surface of the walls.
Wall and ceiling cladding
Any frame for wall cladding consists of horizontal and vertical elements. The bearing function in this design is performed by vertical (rack-mount) profiles. Horizontal elements located perpendicular to them are called guiding (starting) devices.
To create the frames of ceilings or walls, these types are mainly used, as well as the arched profile for drywall.
Guide profile (UD or NP)
The main function of this profile is to create an even plane of the wall or ceiling. To form the surface of the future frame, the installation of a metal profile under drywall is carried out around the entire perimeter of the structure.
The main indicator of the strength of the guide profile is the thickness of the metal from which it is made. The thicker the material, the stronger and more reliable the finished product. So for wall sheathing, you can use a thin metal profile for drywall, but for the manufacture of ceiling structures it is better to use parts made of thick sheet steel.
Standard dimensions of the guide profile: height - 27 mm; width - 28 mm; length is three or four meters.
Flat support profile (CD or PS)
Using the supporting (rack) profile, the necessary reliability and rigidity of the frame is formed. Plasterboard sheets are attached to these elements, so the main load is distributed on them.
The mounting of the rack profile is carried out in the guide, which is fixed around the entire perimeter of the wall. It is made of metal of different thicknesses. Elements with a small thickness are less reliable, so the mounting step is much reduced, which leads to a greater consumption of connecting elements.
Standard dimensions of the metal profile for the drywall type: width - 60 mm; height - 27 mm; length - two sizes three or four meters.
Arched profile
In fact, the arch type profile has characteristics similar to the supporting or guide profile. There is only a significant difference in that it is weakened by numerous holes or cuts. Such a constructive solution allows this element to be bent at different angles, which is its main purpose for making the surface of the opening oval or round. Depending on the purpose, arched profiles are available concave or convex type.
In cross section, the arched profile is completely identical to the standard rack and guide elements. All metal profiles are in cross section in the form of the letter "P".
Partition Profiles
Metal profiles for drywall partitions are larger than cladding elements. Accordingly, their purpose is slightly different from the elements of wall decoration. The choice of the type of profile and its dimensions is carried out in accordance with the technical requirements of the newly constructed design. The main indicators of the wall are the level of sound insulation, thermal insulation and the need to place communications inside the partition.
There are two types of metal profiles for partitions:
- A guide profile (UW) is used to create a plane wall. Its installation is carried out around the entire perimeter of the proposed structure (floor, ceiling, adjacent walls).
- A rack-type profile (CW) is used to strengthen the frame and give it high strength. Its installation is carried out with a pitch of 400 mm, so that it is easy to fasten the sheets of drywall on both sides of the element.
In width, manufacturers produce partition profiles - 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 mm.
Profile fasteners
If you decide to make repairs using plasterboard sheets, you will have to use not only a metal profile for a specific purpose, but also additional fasteners that will facilitate the connection of the profile structure.
Most often, when installing a profile, the following parts are used:
- U-shaped bracket that flexes easily to set the level of attachment. The main purpose of this element is to connect a metal frame with existing wall surfaces. The bracket is mounted in the middle of the part, its ends are screwed to the profile with self-tapping screws.
- Quick suspension is an alternative to the bracket. Structurally, this element has two parts - a suspension that snaps into the profile, and knitting needles with a small eye. The suspension and the spoke are fixed to each other using a special spring. The advantage of such a device is the ease of horizontal level adjustment. The disadvantage is the weakening of the spring and, as a consequence, the sagging of the ceiling during prolonged use.
- The crab connector is used when installing jumpers, which allows you to connect profiles in the perpendicular direction. Such an element snaps into the profile, and then is screwed using special antennae and self-tapping screws.
- CD connectors are used to extend rack profiles. The end of one profile is installed in the connector, and the other element is put on it. Then this connection is fixed using self-tapping screws.
- A two-level CD connector is very rare. Such a frame is doubled to compensate for changes in the size of the wooden material depending on humidity and ambient temperature.
Profile Mounting Tools
A high-quality device for a frame for plasterboard sheathing is impossible without the use of a special tool. To carry out the work you will need:
- scissors for cutting profiles;
- a screwdriver facilitates the wrapping of screws;
- pliers;
- hammer;
- hacksaw or sharpened knife;
- laser level or level.
All these tools are used for fastening drywall screws to metal profiles.
To mount the profile frame directly, a mechanical screener is used, the use of which greatly increases the productivity of the work performed.
Purpose and principle of the profiler for the profile
The cutter of a metal profile for gypsum cardboard differs in simplicity of operation. Work with him does not require special knowledge and skills. Technically, it can be compared with the work of an ordinary clerical hole punch.
The notch has three main modifications:
- Manual, which has minimal profile mounting capabilities, is able to independently perform mounting operations.
- Professional reinforced tool designed to work with a more complex profile. This device is equipped with removable elements and is able to create increased effort.
- A professional divider transmits mechanical force to the punch due to multi-stage levers.
The principle of the tool is very simple:
- profile details are combined and superimposed on one another;
- the junction is located between the jaws of the mites;
- sharp pressing brings the handles of the divider together.
After these operations, the individual profile parts are reliably and firmly connected to each other.
Mounting the frame to the ceiling
The first step when installing the frame will be marking on the surface. To do this, measure a distance of 50-60 mm from the corner and draw a vertical line on the adjacent wall. A similar mark is made on the opposite wall. Then these lines are connected to the ceiling using a long rail.
This line will be a guideline for installing the first profile. Then, with a step of 60 cm, parallel lines are drawn on which, after 50 cm, marks are made in a checkerboard pattern where the hanging elements will be attached.
Fastening profiles is carried out using self-tapping screws or dowels. At the same time, you need to carefully monitor the correct arrangement of the elements.
After mounting the frame, it is necessary to lay the network and telephone wires by first placing them in a corrugated pipe to prevent damage to them against the sharp edges of the profile.
Next, we fasten the drywall to the metal profile using self-tapping screws.
Some mistakes novice builders
Often, beginners in the process of installing ceilings make the following mistakes:
- Incorrect arrangement of the frame. The profile should be fixed with suspensions, always with the smooth side down.
- When cutting a profile, do not use a power tool, as a violation of the anticorrosion layer is possible. Metal scissors are best used.
- Strictly observe the correct orientation of the plate, as they have front and back sides. On the front surface of the sheet is hydrophobic impregnation.
Installing drywall ceilings and walls is a complex and time-consuming job, so it’s best to seek help from specialists. Any errors in self-repair can lead to bumps and poor thermal insulation.