In the process of repairing an apartment, it is imperative to level the walls so that the surface is perfect. In some cases, plaster is suitable for this. Alignment of walls with drywall It is used in cases of large curvature of the surface, when other methods are not suitable.
Installing drywall on walls is a simple process that even a novice in repair can handle. It does not require special knowledge, it is enough to study the instructions and follow all the steps in sequence. In addition, with the help of drywall, you can create designer designs that will decorate your interior.
The choice of drywall
There are several types of drywall, which differ in physical characteristics:
- GKL is a common material that is used for residential premises with normal humidity and temperature. Suitable for finishing living rooms in the apartment.
- GKLO - fire-resistant drywall, used in rooms with special fire safety requirements. Can withstand high temperatures and does not ignite in open flames. Such qualities will be useful in the construction of a battery box.
- GKLV - moisture resistant material with antifungal treatment. Usually used for bathrooms and suitable for further tiling.
- GKLVO - drywall, which is resistant to high humidity and open fire. It is used in rooms with special requirements for fire safety. You can use this look in the kitchen.
- Fireboard is a material that has even greater resistance to open fire than GKLO.
Sheets are available in various widths and lengths. Their thickness depends on the type. For wall decoration in apartments, the most commonly used size is 120 × 250 cm with a thickness of 9–12.5 mm.
Alignment methods
How to level the walls with drywall? There are two methods, both of them are simple, and are suitable even for those masters who make repairs with their own hands for the first time. It is necessary to study the information about the pros and cons of both methods in order to choose the right one.
Frameless way
This method assumes gluing plasterboard on the wall.
Pros:
- low cost;
- simplicity;
- fast result.
Minuses:
- not suitable for walls with a large curvature;
- it is impossible to organize additional noise or heat insulation;
- it will not be possible to create niches and curly structures.
Wireframe method
In this case, drywall is attached to a metal frame. This is the most common method, as it has its advantages:
- you can hide large irregularities on the walls;
- it is possible to create design designs;
- it is easy to provide additional noise and heat insulation.
Cons of this method:
- monetary and time costs are greater than with the frameless method;
- due to the frame, the room is reduced;
- the structure is easily damaged (a force of 10 kg is enough).
The frame method is more difficult to install than the frameless method, but most often it is chosen for a room with curved walls.
If you carefully study the instructions below, then such a structure can be built independently without involving workers.
Materials and tools
First of all, to align the walls with drywall with a frame, you need a plasterboard. It must be chosen depending on the purpose of the repaired premises. It is necessary to calculate the area of \u200b\u200bthe walls and buy material 15% more.
The following materials will be required for work:
- antiseptic primer;
- putty;
- reinforcing mesh;
- metal profile and fasteners to it (suspensions, self-tapping screws).
If soundproofing is planned, then you need to select and purchase insulating material.
Required tools:
- roller, brush, spatula;
- construction knife for cutting plasterboard;
- scissors for metal for cutting profiles;
- perforator;
- screwdriver
Preparatory work
If you want to level the wall using the frame method, you must first prime it. This is necessary to prevent the formation of mold and fungus, as well as the reproduction of insects in the empty space.
It is advisable to choose a deep penetration primer with antiseptic properties. There are several types of this tool, you should focus on the material from which the walls are made. For example, for walls made of foam blocks, the best option would be a specialized composition designed specifically for this material, but any deep penetration primer of Russian or European production is also suitable.
The next step is marking the walls for the frame. This may sound complicated to those who don't know how to properly level drywall walls, but it's actually quite simple. Vertical guides should be located at a distance of 60 cm from each other (measured at the centers of the profiles). These lines must be drawn on the wall strictly vertically. If the ceilings in the apartment are too high, you can add horizontal profiles to increase the stability of the structure.
After that, it is necessary to check the verticality of the plane of the wall. Irregularities are measured, and then special suspension mounts are installed at these places, which push the profile to the desired distance forward.
Frame erection
When the wall is processed and all measurements are made, you can start frame erection. Stages of work:
- Horizontal profiles are fixed in the lower and upper parts of the wall. For convenience, you can install them on the floor and ceiling.
- Hangers are attached to the wall along the marked lines. The distance between them should be no more than 1 m.
- Vertical profiles are installed, they are checked with a plumb line and screwed to the hangers with self-tapping screws. They are also attached to horizontal profiles.
- If necessary, heat-insulating material is laid between the profiles.
The frame work has been completed. Before attaching drywall, it is better to watch a video about frame structures to make sure that the steps are correct.
Drywall installation
After the frame is assembled, you can proceed with the installation of the GKL.
- Drywall is attached to vertical profiles with special self-tapping screws. Their caps should be recessed into the material by 1 mm, forming shallow recesses.
- Adjacent sheets should be fixed end-to-end.
- If it was not possible to cover the entire surface of the wall with solid sheets, the drywall should be cut. To do this, measure the desired part on the whole sheet, draw a clerical knife over it and bend the material to separate the pieces.
There is usually a chamfer on the edges of factory sheets. If you cut the GKL yourself, then with a knife you need to make such a chamfer so that later you have the opportunity to carefully seal the seams.
- The seams are treated with a primer. After that, a reinforcing mesh and putty are applied. This material also covers all holes from self-tapping screws.
- Primary putty must be sanded, putty again and finish sanding. Further, if the wall is to be wallpapered or painted, you can cover the entire wall with putty.
Now you know how to level the walls with drywall with your own hands. After studying the photo and video instructions, you can do this using ordinary home tools. In this case, the surface material does not matter, drywall can level walls made of foam concrete, concrete slabs or bricks.
Cost of labor and material
The price for work on leveling walls with drywall in Moscow and the Moscow region ranges from 260 to 390 rubles per square meter, depending on the pitch of the crate and the number of layers of plasterboard. In St. Petersburg, similar work costs from 250 to 350 rubles. The cost of materials will cost around 400 rubles. More accurately, the cost of work and materials will be able to calculate the master.
Conclusion
Leveling walls with drywall has its pros and cons. This is a convenient and fast way when little time is allotted for repairs. It is also the only possible option if the walls are too curved and other alignment methods are not suitable. On walls aligned in this way, any finish can be applied: wallpaper, paint, ceramic tiles.
