Drywall

There are different types of drywall, but most come in 4x8 sheets and range from 1/4 - 5/8 of an inch in thickness. Drywall is the standard wall-covering panel, made of gypsum sandwiched between paper. These panels are screwed to the wall. The cracks between them are covered by paper drywall tape and joint compound. Greenboard is the water-resistant form of drywall and installs the same way. It is too heavy for ceilings though. Backerboard is the smaller panel, with a concrete core and fiberglass facing. It’s used as a base underneath ceramic tile. Special backerboard screws are needed to fasten them to the wall.

Drywall tape comes in two varieties: fiberglass mesh and thin paper. Fiberglass is self-stick, is easy to handle, and looks clean. Fiberglass mesh is designed for use with a strong, fast-drying compound that is mixed from a powder. Pros love it, but it’s a bit sticky for homeowner use. Instead stick with a premixed joint compound that will give you plenty of time to work. When used with a standard compound, fiberglass tape joints can crack at about half the stress it would take to crack a joint made with paper tape. If it does crack, you’ll have to strip off everything, including the tape, and start from scratch.