The standard drywall is porous and susceptible to humidity. Each panel consists of two paperboards and gypsum in the middle, which might not stand moisture well. Your basement finishing contractor will choose drywalling specially designed for use in basements.
In short, no, you do not need to use fire-rated drywall throughout your home. While it's critical to use it in places where it's required, such as in attached garages and around boilers in multi-family dwellings, your home won't be significantly safer by using it everywhere.
Type X Drywall: If you must use drywall in a basement, consider using moisture-resistant drywall, often referred to as ``green board'' or ``blue board,'' which is designed to resist mold and moisture.
You should never put a vapor barrier on the interior of a basement wall. The interior air is not where the dangerous moisture is, its in the concrete and wet ground. See the Ecohome Building Guide to learn how to do basement construction, renovations so walls will be able to dry and not get moldy.
Use a material other than paper for the outer layer on the drywall panels. This form of mold-resistant drywall typically uses fiberglass mesh instead of paper for the facing and backing. Because fiberglass is a non-organic material, mold has no food source necessary to colonize.
Mold-resistant drywall, also known as green board or purple board, is made with a moisture-resistant core and treated paper that's resistant to mold growth. This type of drywall is ideal for basements because it provides a barrier against moisture, reducing the risk of mold development behind walls.
Regular drywall is not recommended in bathrooms as it can easily absorb this moisture and mold or even disintegrate. Instead, bathroom walls should be constructed from drywall that is resistant to mold, mildew, and moisture. The best product to use for bathroom walls is MMR drywall, also known as green board.
Envelope testing has shown that sealing the interior drywall (airtight drywall approach), or carefully installing a polyethylene barrier under the drywall, and/or sealing the exterior sheathing is a more effective way to minimize air leakage.
Use PURPLE® XP® Hi-Impact® Drywall, featuring a fiberglass mesh embedded into its core, to prevent accidental holes in high-activity areas. For low-activity spaces, PURPLE® XP® Drywall protects against the moisture, mold, and mildew often found in basements.
However, if not installed correctly or if damaged, vapor barriers can actually contribute to mold growth.
Drywall has to adhere or connect to something; you can't just glue it to the basement wall. Basements have a tendency to collect moisture, especially around cinder blocks or concrete walls. You need to ensure there is a gap between the wall and the drywall by first installing studs.
One key difference between the two is that sheetrock is a brand name of drywall made by the United States Gypsum Corporation. Another difference lies in their production process; sheetrock has a slightly denser core than drywall due to the addition of a small amount of wood fiber to the gypsum core.
To address these concerns, building codes often specify several key requirements for wet areas. These typically include: Use of moisture-resistant (MR) or mold-resistant drywall in wet areas. Proper sealing of joints and penetrations to prevent water intrusion.
Moisture-resistant drywall is ideal for areas prone to moisture and humidity. This drywall features a special paperless backing and an additional coating to prevent mold and moisture. Ideal for bathrooms, basements, kitchens, laundry rooms and utility rooms.
But if you're finishing a basement, putting on an addition, remodeling a room, or just running pipes or wires through a plate, you'll need to include fire blocking.
Lots of ceilings are built with joists that are 16” on center and you'll want to use the standard ½” boards in these because of its better sound insulation and durability. If, however, your joists are 24” on center, you'll probably want to use 3/8” boards for the ceiling.
Regardless of your environment, you should consider using a moisture barrier in basements and crawlspaces as well as beneath flooring and behind the drywall in high-moisture places like kitchens and bathrooms. It's better to be safe than sorry when moisture damage could put your home's structural integrity at risk.
No. While all drywall is naturally fire-resistant, PURPLE drywall is unique because it also resists moisture, mold and mildew.
It's essential to choose paints specifically designed for basements, such as masonry or epoxy-based paints that offer moisture resistance.
Always leave a 1/2-inch gap at the floor. This allows for floor and wall expansion without cracking the drywall. It also helps prevents moisture wicking if the floor floods. Wear work gloves, safety goggles and a dust mask when hanging drywall.
PVC panels are impact-resistant, whereas drywall is prone to damage. Drywall contributes to landfill waste, decomposing into a pungent-smelling hydrogen sulfide gas. On the other hand, PVC panels are eco-friendly, have a low carbon footprint and can be recycled several times.
Even if there is no huge water leak such as from a hole in the roof, the steam and moisture of showers, bathtubs, and boiling pots can potentially affect the structure and safety of a house or building. This is why vapor barriers are needed in areas that are more moisture-prone.
Purple drywall is different from green board in that it contains mold inhibitors as well as being water resistant. It is sturdier that regular drywall or green board. Because it is sturdier, it is often used in high traffic areas and resists scratches and dents.
Number of Screws Per Sheet of Drywall
Use about 32 drywall screws per sheet of 4-foot by 8-foot drywall installed horizontally on a wall. This total is comprised of four screws on the five middle studs and six screws on each of the two sides.