Typical Interior Partitions

Be clear: 'typical' and 'possible' are not the same. What is 'typically' built may or may not not be ideal, beautiful, or even functional. 'Typical' means just that, it is what is done most of the time. 'Possible' is where designers live; designers explore the question "What if..."

 Even so, it is useful to understand what is 'typically' built. 'GWB', 'Sheetrock', 'drywall', 'gyp board', are all different ways of referring to gypsum board, a flat panel product that is used to make the surfaces of partitions and ceilings.

 Read pages 52 89, & 182 194 & 221 - 229 in Sustainable Building Systems and Construction for Designers"

gypsum board
gypsum boards are manufactured by many different companies. USGypsum is one such company. USG makes a product that is called 'Sheetrock'. This is their version of gypsum board.

 The term 'Sheetrock' is a proprietary term; that is, it is a proper name; the name of USG's gypsum board. Nevertheless, you may hear people refer to 'sheetrock' as if this is the generic way of referring to gypsum board; it is not. The generic term is 'gypsum board.'

 gypsum boards are produced in many sizes and thicknesses: 4'x8', 4'x10', 4'x16' thicknesses of: 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4",5/8", a special product called 'shaftwall' is 1" thick, and designed to be used to line elevator shafts.

Gypsum Board
Gypsum board is the generic name for the group of products comprised mainly of a noncombustible gypsum core and paper facings.
Gypsum board is commonly referred to as drywall, wallboard, plasterboard and sheetrock. Gypsum is a mineral found in sedimentary rock formations. This product is perfectly highly fire resistant.

Gypsum contains chemically combined water that is driven off as steam when subjected to high heat, effectively fighting fire. Gypsum board is the most common interior finish used today in Canada and the United States

Types of Gypsum Board

Regular - is used as a surface layer for walls and ceilings, available in tapered and square edges.

Type X - is available in -inch or 5/8-inch thickness and has improved fire- resistance through the use of fibers mixed within the gypsum core.

 Type C or Improved X - Additional additives give this product improved fire-resistance. Required in some fire-tested assemblies.

Water Resistant Board - made with a waterresistant core and water-resistant face paper. Also known as "green" board. Designed as a ceramic tile backer board..

 Gypsum Liner board - available in - or 1-inch thickness and used primarily in area separation wall systems.

Soffit board - designed for exterior use under protected overhangs and walkways.

 Gypsum sheathing - used as an underlayment in exterior walls for structural stability and fire-protection. Available in treated and non-treated core for water-resistance.

Joint Treatment
Gypsum wallboard produces a monolithic surface by taping the depression formed along the edges of gypsum board. The procedure is to embed a tape with a taping or joint compound over the tapered joint. The depression is then filled with successive layers of compound and sanded to produce a monolithic surface. The square edge of the gypsum panels that meet are often referred to as "butt" joints and should be feathered out further than tapered joints.

an exterior wall may also be the 'interior' wall. here triangles are used to build a 'geodesic' dome

plywood is used as 'sheathing' to begin the weather enclosure

insulation can be sprayed on. this is useful when the surfaces involved are of uneven, or irregular form.

wood stud framing. individual pieces of wood, combined in a system that includes surface finish materials, and construction technologies.