When did people start using plasterboard walls in the UK?
Before the 1950's houses built in the UK rarely used plasterboard, instead lath and plaster or just plaster was the tradition. Plasterboard has become the standard covering for stud partitioning and ceilings, this has made it easier for diy'ers to cover these.
What is plasterboard used for?
Plasterboard is also used to line internal masonry walls, the sheets are simply attached to the masonry by using dab of adhesive - such wall linings are referred to as dry-lining. There are a number of types of plasterboard, each with it's own characteristics which makes it most suited to particular uses.
How was plaster used in the past?
The ancient Egyptians burnt gypsum in open air fires to produce plaster. The Greeks and Romans used plaster for architecture and decorative sculpture. Plaster sculptures were found when excavating the ancient city of Pompeii. Plaster is found throughout middle eastern architecture. The Babylonians lived in houses with plaster walls.
When did they start using sheetrock instead of plaster?
The U.S. Gypsum (USG ®) company purchased the Sacket Plaster Board company in 1909. Just a few years later in 1916 USG invented a product they called Sheetrock®. Most builders however were slow to use the new material. Plaster had been around for millenniums. What would influence builders to make the change to drywall?
When did they start using plasterboard in UK?
History. The first plasterboard plant in the UK was opened in 1888 in Rochester, Kent. Sackett Board was invented in 1894 by Augustine Sackett and Fred Kane, graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. It was made by layering plaster within four plies of wool felt paper.
When did they start using drywall instead of plaster?
Drywall had a long history of struggle until its popularity began during and after World War 2. It was invented in 1916 as a dry alternative to plaster though it would be 25 years before it was widely accepted as a proper building material.
What year was drywall first used in homes?
Drywall was invented in 1916. The United States Gypsum Corporation, a company that vertically integrated 30 different gypsum and plaster manufacturing companies 14 years prior, created it to protect homes from urban fires, and marketed it as the poor man's answer to plaster walls.
When did they start using plaster board?
Drywall, also known as plasterboard or wallboard was invented in 1916 by a company based in America known as The U.S Gypsum. Initially it was sold as small tiles for fireproofing specific areas but within a few years it took shape to what exists today.
What were walls made of in 1960s?
Foundation and Exterior Walls - Earlier era homes were built on a stem wall or piers, but most 1960s homes were concrete slab-on-grade, with a thickened edge that served as a foundation.
What did builders use before drywall?
Before drywall became widely used, building interiors were made of plaster. For hundreds of years, walls and ceilings have been constructed by placing layers of wet plaster over thousands of wooden strips called laths.
Was drywall used in the 60s?
It was in this context that Drywall took over as leader in the industry. By the late 1950's and 1960's, though plaster was still found in new construction, drywall was beginning to be used at an increasing rate.
How do I know if my wall is plaster or drywall?
Take a pushpin and press it on the wall using your thumb. If the pin pokes into the wall easily, that's drywall. If it doesn't, then that's plaster. A pushpin can penetrate drywalls easily because they're softer compared to plaster.
What were walls made of in the 1950?
What Were Walls Made of in the 1950s? Beginning in the 1950s, home builders shifted from lath and plaster to drywall as the wall material of choice. Drywall is less expensive, easier to install, and more fire-resistant than traditional lath and plaster.
What was before plasterboard?
The lath and plaster technique was generally used to finish interior walls and ceilings from the 1700s to the early-to-mid 1900s before it was superseded by modern gypsum plaster and plasterboard.
When was asbestos used in plaster?
Until the mid-1980s, asbestos was commonly added to plaster. It was an inexpensive way to increase the plaster's ability to insulate buildings and resist fire. Asbestos continued to make its way into some types of plaster through cross-contamination despite its known danger.
When was plaster used in homes?
From the 1700s all the way through the 1940s, lath and plaster was the interior wall construction method of choice. Builders nailed thin, closely spaced strips of wood (lath) to wall studs and then smoothed multiple coatings of plaster over the lath to form flat wall surfaces.
When was plaster used in construction?
In the 19th century, plaster was used extensively in residential construction. By the early 20th century, plaster was still the industry standard was used extensively in both residential and commercial construction. Most homes built in the eastern seaboard and midwest have plaster throughout. But that gradually changed in the 1940's and 1950's.
Where did plaster originate?
Plaster has been around for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians burnt gypsum in open air fires to produce plaster. The Greeks and Romans used plaster for architecture and decorative sculpture. Plaster sculptures were found when excavating the ancient city of Pompeii. Plaster is found throughout middle eastern architecture. The Babylonians lived in houses with plaster walls. The Abuhav Synagogue Tzfat in Israel features extensive plaster work. Plaster is even found in Japanese architecture. Why has drywall replaced plaster in most construction applications? How did this transition take place?
What is a sacket board?
SacketBoard was a panel made of several layers of plaster and paper. The U.S. Gypsum (USG ®) company purchased the Sacket Plaster Board company in 1909. Just a few years later in 1916 USG invented a product they called Sheetrock®. Most builders however were slow to use the new material. Plaster had been around for millenniums.
What is drywall used for?
In addition to the variety in lengths and widths available there are different types of gypsum board for different applications. Fire retardant drywall panels are used in nearly every type of construction. There are drywall panels that can hold up in increased moisture conditions. There is drywall that resists mold growth. There is drywall that resists indentation for use in high traffic or high abuse areas. There is drywall specifically designed for elevator shaft application where fire protection is extremely critical.
Why is plaster more expensive than drywall?
As a result of the increased labor involved, plaster work is much more expensive than drywall. This is the primary reason that more and more builders started using drywall in new construction. Following WWII, several factors combined to create a real estate expansion that accelerated the use of drywall.
What is the term for a thin strip of wood that is nailed over bare studs?
To plaster a home, thin strips of wood, called lath, were nailed over bare studs. When installing wood lath , a quarter inch to a half inch gap was left between each strip of wood. A base coat of plaster was then spread over the lath to create a foundation.
What was the housing act of 1949?
The Housing Act of 1949 facilitated the construction of thousands of homes across the United States.
What is original plaster?
Original plaster contributes immeasurably to the qualities of an old building. Unlike modern cement-based products and gypsum plasters, which are hard, inflexible and non-breathable, traditional lime and clay formulas have a soft, characterful appearance, offer a degree of flexibility and are breathable. The breathability of wall and ceiling ...
What is the best plaster for a house?
What type of plaster does my home have? 1 Lime plaster is the traditional finish for houses pre-1919, but may have been used up until the 1950s when plasterboard and gypsum took over. See our guide to lime plaster to find out more. 2 A pinkish colour is likely to indicate a plaster bound with gypsum. 3 An off-white colour is typical of a lime plaster. 4 An earthy colour suggests an earth binder. 5 If your old house has been replastered with modern materials, or if you have damp walls (find out more in our guide), it might be worth replacing with lime plaster.
What is lime plaster?
Lime plaster is the traditional finish for houses pre-1919, but may have been used up until the 1950s when plasterboard and gypsum took over. See our guide to lime plaster to find out more. A pinkish colour is likely to indicate a plaster bound with gypsum. An off-white colour is typical of a lime plaster. An earthy colour suggests an earth binder. ...
Can you use plasterboard on old ceilings?
Always try to avoid the use of plasterboard. Unlike traditional plaster finishes it is flat and can look out of place in a period building. This is especially true with old ceilings. Generally ceilings are relatively easy to replaster.
Is plaster a clay or a gypsum?
Sometimes in high-status work it is gauged with gypsum. Plaster may also be clay based, with animal dung and a lime binder. Traditional plasters are applied directly to solid backings, such as masonry or cob (unfired earth), or flexible supports, including timber laths or reed.
What was the first plaster?
The very first plasters were earthen. Being simple mixtures of clay, sand and straw, they required no furnaces and dried with the sun. The mixture was cast as bricks and the same basic formula was used as the mortar and stucco. Earthen plasters such as cob and daub are still the most commonly used plasters worldwide.
Where is plaster from?
THE ANCIENT WORLD. One of the earliest archeological examples of both civilization and plaster is Çatalhöyük (ca. 7500 BC), located in present day Turkey. A densely populated town, Çatalhöyük’s dwellings had mud brick walls and floors coated with a locally available clay marl that made a suitable plaster.
What was discovered in pottery?
Calcium plasters such as gypsum and lime were likely discovered through the process of pottery making. By chance, rocks of gypsum or lime were selected to form the crude kiln for firing pottery. The heat of the fire drove off water (gypsum) or carbon dioxide (lime) leaving friable rocks quickly falling to powder.
What is plasterboard made of?
is the 'common' type and is used to line ceilings, stud partitioning and is also used in dry lining. It is made up of a layer of hardened gypsum plaster between two layers of paper.
What is the white paper on plasterboard?
The white paper side is the front (i.e. the finished side for decorating) and will accept a plaster skim or other finishes - the grey side is not suitable for any type of finish.
What was the standard covering for stud partitioning and ceilings in the 1950s?
Before the 1950's houses built in the UK rarely used plasterboard , instead lath and plaster or just plaster was the tradition. Plasterboard has become the standard covering for stud partitioning and ceilings, this has made it easier for diy'ers to cover these.
What is insulating board made of?
It is made up of a layer of hardened gypsum plaster between two layers of paper. Insulated board. is similar to common plasterboard but incorporates a layer of insulating foam to the rear side to improve its thermal insulation. Damp proof board.
What is tapered board?
Tapered board. which tapers in thickness toward the edges. This is the more common styles and, in most cases, is easier to use providing that the taper on two pieces butt together, the joint can then be concealed by using scrim and joint compound to fill the depression resulting from the tapers.
What is moisture resistant board?
Moisture resistant board. is different as the actual gypsum plaster is resistant to moisture and is recommended for use in areas where it could come into contact with water (although not immersed in it) - i.e. bathrooms, showers, kitchens etc. Sound insulation board. is composed to reduce the transmission of noise.
Is plasterboard fire resistant?
Fire resistant board. offers increased resistant to fire - the other types of plasterboard do offer some degree of fire barrier but fire resistant board much better resistance.
An Overview of Lath and Plaster
First, it is important to learn more about lath and plaster. Lath and plaster is a traditional building process that was once used as the standard to finish ceilings and interior dividing walls. The structure uses narrow strips of wood, called laths, which were nailed horizontally across the joists or wall studs.
The Pros and Cons of Lath and Plaster
When it comes to lath and plaster, it is important to figure out whether this is a good option for you. Should you go with lath and plaster? We should look at the pros and cons.
The Pros and Cons of Drywall
Whether you are building a new home or trying to renovate an existing building, it is important to make sure you use the right materials. Today, drywall has become one of the most popular options. It is frequently used throughout walls and ceilings.
Is There a Time When You Want To Use Lath and Plaster in the Modern Era?
Even though lath and plaster is not as popular today as it used to be, there are still some situations where you may want to take advantage of this building option. These include:
When was dry wall invented?
Drywall was invented in 1916 . The United States Gypsum Corporation, a company that vertically integrated 30 different gypsum and plaster manufacturing companies 14 years prior, created it to protect homes from urban fires, and marketed it as the poor man’s answer to plaster walls.
Where does Wallboard get its gypsum from?
(Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffet's conglomerate, owns 27 percent of the company.) It gets its gypsum from mines or as a synthetically engineered byproduct of coal-fired power plants.
Why are house builders paying attention to alternative methods and suggestions?
In his recent projects, Mouzon says house builders are starting to pay attention to alternative methods and suggestions, possibly because being eco-friendly is a current trend, but possibly also because the cost of drywall has increased dramatically.
What was the drywall ad?
A 1921 USG ad billed drywall as a fireproof wall that went up with “no time [lost] in preparing materials, changing types of labor, or waiting for the building to dry.”. An early ad for drywall, which was originally known as sheetrock. (Courtesy Greg Gardenour, the Ad Store)
Overview
History
The first plasterboard plant in the UK was opened in 1888 in Rochester, Kent. Sackett Board was invented in 1894 by Augustine Sackett and Fred Kane, graduates of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. It was made by layering plaster within four plies of wool felt paper. Sheets were 36 by 36 by 1⁄4 inch (914 mm × 914 mm × 6 mm) thick with open (untaped) edges.
Manufacture
A wallboard panel consists of a layer of gypsum plaster sandwiched between two layers of paper. The raw gypsum, CaSO4·2H2O, is heated to drive off the water then slightly rehydrated to produce the hemihydrate of calcium sulfate (CaSO 4·1/2H 2O). The plaster is mixed with fibre (typically paper and/or glass fiber), plasticizer, foaming agent, finely ground gypsum crystal as an accelerator, EDTA, starch or other chelate as a retarder, various additives that may decrease mildew and …
Specifications
The term plasterboard is used in Australia and New Zealand. In Australia, the product is often called Gyprock, which is the name of the largest manufacturer of plasterboard. In New Zealand it is also called Gibraltar and Gib board, after the registered trademark ("GIB") of the locally made product that dominates the market there.
It is made in thicknesses of 10 mm, 13 mm, and 16 mm, and sometimes other thicknesses up t…
Construction techniques
As an alternative to a week-long plaster application, an entire house can be drywalled in one or two days by two experienced drywallers, and drywall is 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, or hangers, who install the wallboard, and ta…
Sound control
The method of installation and type of drywall can reduce sound transmission through walls and ceilings. Several builders' books state that thicker drywall reduces sound transmission, but engineering manuals recommend using multiple layers of drywall, sometimes of different thicknesses and glued together, or special types of drywall designed to reduce noise. Also important are the construction details of the framing with steel studs, wider stud spacing, doubl…
Water damage and mold
Drywall is highly vulnerable to moisture due to the inherent properties of the materials that comprise it: gypsum, paper, and organic additives and binders. Gypsum will soften with exposure to moisture, and eventually turn to a gooey paste with prolonged immersion, such as during a flood. During such incidents, some or all of the drywall in an entire building may need to be removed and re…
Other damage
Foam insulation and the gypsum part of sheetrock are easily chewed out by honeybees when they are setting up a stray nest in a building and they want to enlarge their nest area.