Using “open” interior areas is a current design trend for residential and commercial structures. Strong natural light can be poured onto interior surfaces using glass curtain walls, expansive windows, skylights, and high ceilings. These design trends place a burden on the drywall finishing construction industry to supply building owners with surfaces that are aesthetically beautiful and pleasing to the eye. Increased surface lighting, whether artificial or natural, can emphasize even minor surface variances and craftsmanship flaws.
For drywall finishing surface inspections, developing visual acceptance standards has proven challenging. A finished drywall surface’s aesthetic attributes can be summed up by the proverb “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”; yet, what one person finds appealing and acceptable may be unappealing to another.
When using drywall surfaces that have been traditionally finished, architects, general builders, and building owners typically demand a greater level of finish than the drywall service subcontractor can deliver. When finishing high-value spaces or places with high expectations from owners, consider using USG conventional or veneer plaster finish systems. Conventional plaster systems are the best option for a smooth, consistent, monolithic, imperfection-free surface.
Applying joint finishing compounds flush or flat to the surface to disguise the seams, fasteners, and small accessories of gypsum paneling is a typical mistake in drywall finishing. Joints and fasteners are more likely to show through the decorative finish due to this practice’s inadequate panel concealment. Finished drywall that has been adequately adhered to industry standards does not appear to be one solid piece.
The easiest way to minimize their appearance is to apply joint compounds over the joints, fasteners, and trims in graduated arcs. Even done by the highly trained experts available in the field, distinct shadows at the joints may be noticeable depending on the skill level of the drywall finisher, the type and angle of light striking the surfaces, and the quality, shine, and color of the paint.
The amount of gypsum board finish obtained before the final decorating, the type of illumination striking the surface, and the location of the drywall installation and fixing surfaces in the structure all influence the recommended paint finish over them. The choice and implementation of a Level 5 paint finish system in conjunction with a Level 5 gypsum board finish is the most efficient way to reduce joint and fastener photography and produce the most uniform final surface.
Texting-finish products are a great way to diffuse light across the surfaces of the ceiling and walls while also concealing minor flaws. With texture-finish products, a wide range of visually pleasing surface finishes, from subtle to heavy, can be made using stipple brushes, pattern devices, rollers, floats, trowels, and finishing knives.
The designer is in charge of specifying where and how control joints will be detailed. Control joints should be used correctly to reduce the likelihood of cracks and joint ridges by accommodating stresses inside and put onto the gypsum membranes.
Gypsum panels should be installed on an even plane after being covered. Applying boards in such a way that each board’s leading edge is fastened to the exposed or unsupported edge of a steel-stud flange will aid in achieving this. Uneven gypsum panels in drywall repair joints can cast shadows after finishing and painting if placed in a situation with harsh lighting.
Each and every gypsum panel needs to be firmly fastened to the supporting structure or subsurface. “Fastener pops,” and joint cracks will result from loose panels. The corners and ends of the butt panel joint are loose. Ends must be a little apart from one another and not touched. Panels that are butted too closely are more prone to create a visible joint ridge or bead after painting when combined with unfavorable climatic conditions.
Consider hanging gypsum panels so that the long, tapering edges are parallel to the light source. This assists in concealing the joint’s look. It should be noted that some fire-rated walls could not permit the installation of the panels in this way.
To reduce the number of joints, use the longest and widest panels that can be used. The surface paper of the gypsum panel should not be damaged when drywall work screws are driven slightly below the surface. Overdriven fasteners may result in apparent depressions over the affected fastener heads after the paint has been applied, damaging the finished appearance.
Install control joints properly, considering the perimeter relief instructions included in the building papers. Control joints that are not correctly built or that are missing will prevent the gypsum membrane from being relieved of the forces exerted upon it and may cause cracks.
Read More