Best Practices Guide to Drywall Installation
InspectAPedia^® -

Drywall types, installation, taping, special trims
Properties of moisture resistant drywall
Properties of fire resistant or fire barrier drywall
Properties of mold-resistant drywall
Installation procedures for drywall on walls & ceilings
Drywall mounting & adhesion methods
Drywall taping methods
Special window & door trim used with drywall
How to construct a drywall arch
How to construct rounded corners using drywall
Where to buy drywall products
Questions & answers about the best methods used to install or hang drywall

Hanging drywall: this article describes tips and tricks that help follow the best practices when installing drywall in buildings.

InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers nor with topics or services discussed at this website.

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

Drywall Types & Installation Procedures

This article series discusses and provides a best construction practices guide to the selection and installation of building interior surface materials, carpeting, doors, drywall, trim, flooring, lighting, plaster, materials, finishes, and sound control materials.

This article includes excerpts or adaptations from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss, courtesy of Wiley & Sons.

Photos at page top and left are provided courtesy of Eric Galow, Galow Homes. These pictures illustrate drywall installation by professionals. For speed, efficiency and profit, drywall installation is specialized, often using different crews to hang the rock from those who tape, finish, and paint the surface (shown below).

As described in the book, Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction Chapter 5, Interior Finish:

Interior finishes are the most visible and, on a square-foot basis, often the most expensive components in a house. However, since many of these products and materials are marketed directly to consumers, they are often not well understood by builders and designers.

Making good decisions on such finish materials as flooring, carpeting, and lighting fixtures can make a critical difference to homeowner satisfaction. The builder or designer can play a key role in helping the homeowner choose finishes that are well-suited to the intended use, as well as providing the structural support and prep work the materials require for good performance.

Single-layer, 1/2-inch drywall is the default wall and ceiling treatment in most residential construction. Done well, it goes largely unnoticed. Nail pops and cracks, however, are very conspicuous and remain the leading cause of builder callbacks. With wet or poor-quality framing, there are bound to be problems in the drywall finish. With dry lumber and proper detailing, however, drywall problems can be kept to a minimum.

Types of Drywall

Drywall consists of a gypsum core covered by two layers of treated paper. The long sides are tapered for easy finishing with joint compound. The short or “butt” ends are not tapered.

Also see CHINESE DRYWALL HAZARDS.

Standard Drywall Properties

This material comes in four thicknesses: 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, 1/2-inch, and 5/8-inch. A single layer of 1/2-inch drywall covers most residential walls and ceilings. Photo at left courtesy of Eric Galow, Galow Homes.

For a stiffer wall and better sound deadening, use 5/8-inch drywall or a double layer of 1/2-inch drywall, with all joints staggered between layers and the second layer glued to the first for best performance.

The 3/8-inch panels are useful for covering existing walls and ceilings in remodeling. One quarter- inch board, installed in layers, is useful for curves. Special 1/4-inch bending-type drywall has the smallest bending radius.

Fire-Resistant Drywall Specifications

Fire-code drywall has special additives, including glass fibers, to increase its fire resistance. Residential building codes typically require Type X 5/8-inch fire-code drywall with a one-hour rating for party walls, ceilings over furnaces, and common walls between living space and garages.

Moisture-Resistant Drywall

Moisture-resistant (MR) board, sometimes called “green board” because of its green paper facing, has limited water resistance from asphalt additives, and is recommended for high-humidity areas such as bathrooms and laundries.

The material is denser and less rigid than regular drywall, so it is prone to sag on ceilings unless the framing is 12 inches on-center or less. Also it will fall apart, like regular drywall, if it gets soaked.

For that reason it should not be used as a tile substrate in any application where it might get wet.

Photo courtesy of Eric Galow, Galow Homes.

Mold-Resistant Drywall

This is a relatively new product that uses an inorganic fiberglass matt instead of paper facing, since the paper facing readily supports mold growth. Panels are available with the fiberglass matt on one side or two.

Glass fibers in the gypsum core add strength as well.

Details about mold resistant drywall and an OPINION about its effectiveness are found at MOLD RESISTANT DRYWALL.

Installation Procedures for Drywall: Best Practices Guide

To prevent problems, use good quality framing lumber and follow these recommendations:

For walls 8 feet high or less, run drywall sheets perpendicular to the studs [or horizontally, with the long side of the drywall sheets parallel to the floor. The installer in the job shown at left used 12-foot drywall lengths for even fewer joints. - Ed.]. This is stronger, bridges framing irregularities, and results in fewer joints.

Our photo (left) illustrates horizontal drywall application - as you can see by noticing the long horizontal tape joint up 4 ft. from the floor (red arrow). Photo courtesy of Eric Galow, Galow Homes.
Make sure the drywall is tight against the framing before fastening.
Install with screws, which have better holding power than nails and are less likely to tear or weaken the drywall facing.
Use the correct length fastener. Either longer or shorter than recommended can lead to nail pops (see Table 5-1 shown below).
Maintain the temperature at 55°F to 70°F during and after applying the joint compound.
If using fiberglass mesh rather than paper tape, use setting-type joint compound to embed the mesh, since it is not as strong as paper tape.
Install drywall on ceilings before walls and use floating corners to allow for some movement.
Keep butted joints (short ends) to a minimum, and butt the sheets together loosely. Because they are untapered they are more visible.

Framing Specifications for Successful Drywall Installation

Drywall should be installed over straight and level framing. If the framing is excessively wet, it will crack the drywall and cause nail pops as it shrinks. If the framing is twisted, bowed, or out of alignment, it will cause weak points in the surface and possible cracking. Moderately bowed studs can be fixed by cutting a kerf at mid height, straightening the stud, and scabbing a section of 1x4 or plywood on either side. Repair or replace problem studs before installing the drywall.

On ceilings, it is common practice in some parts of the country to install 1x3 furring strips at 16 inches on-center perpendicular to the ceiling joists before installing the drywall. The furring is shimmed to even out irregularities in the ceiling joists and creates a more stable substrate for the drywall with less chance of cracking. Also, the furring provides a wider nailing surface for hanging drywall.

Framing Spans Recommended for Ceiling & Wall Drywall Installation

On walls and ceilings, it is best to install drywall perpendicular to the framing. This ties together more framing members and provides greater racking strength.

On walls, 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch drywall can span up to 24 inches whether it is installed parallel or perpendicular to the framing.

On ceilings, 1/2-inch or 5/8-inch drywall can span 24 inches only if it is installed perpendicular to the joists and supports less than 1.3 pounds per square foot (psf ) of insulation. Otherwise, 16-inch on-center spacing is recommended. With latex spray textures or airless spraying of latex paints, perpendicular installation over 16-inch on center framing is recommended to prevent sagging.

Guide to the Adhesive Installation Method for Drywall

Another way to minimize nail and screw pops is to minimize the number of fasteners. Gluing the drywall to the studs with construction adhesive allows the installer to eliminate 75% of the fasteners (Table 5-2). Using adhesives also helps to even out minor irregularities in the framing and results in a much stronger and stiffer wall. Use a construction or drywall adhesive that meets ASTM C557.

Apply a 3/8-inch bead down the center of each stud or joist, stopping about 6 inches from each end. Where two drywall panels meet, apply two 3/8-inch beads so each panel gets full contact with adhesive. No adhesive is needed at inside corners, top and bottom plates, or at bridging, diagonal bracing, or other miscellaneous framing. Also do not use adhesive over polyethylene sheeting or insulation batts with paper flanges stapled over the stud faces.

To ensure a good bond, drywall manufacturers recommend pre bowing the drywall by stacking several sheets face up with a 2x4 under each end. Left overnight, this will leave a permanent bow, forcing the center of the sheet tight against the adhesive (except in very humid weather, when the boards may remain flexible).

Push drywall panels into the adhesive with hand pressure along joists or studs. Do not apply more adhesive than can be covered in 15 minutes, or it may skin over. Allow the panels to dry at least 48 hours before adding joint compound or skim coating.

How to Install Floating Corners to Avoid Drywall Cracks

Inside corners at walls and between walls and ceilings are stress points for drywall and common places for cracks or nail pops. Leaving one side of the joint free to move without fasteners will eliminate most of these problems.

On ceilings, place the first screws 7 to 12 inches in from the corner and support the ceiling drywall with the wall panels.

Also, do not fasten the top 8 inches of the wall panels.

No screws should go into the top plate, where shrinkage may occur. Similarly, leave one side unfastened at wall-to-wall corners, but make sure it rests against solid wood backing or drywall clips (see Figure 5-1).

Guide to use of Control Joints to Avoid Drywall Cracks

While control joints in drywall are not commonly used in residential construction, they are a good idea in surfaces over 30 feet long or at changes in floor level, such as stairway walls. On a stairway wall, locate the control joint at the top of the first-floor wall where the top plate meets the ceiling joists.

The 1/4-inch joint can be painted with the wall and left as a reveal. Another option is to omit the metal control joint and simply leave a small gap between the upper and lower drywall, and cover the joint with wood trim.

Installing Drywall Corner Bead

Outside corners fashioned with metal corner bead are also prone to cracking and nail pops. To avoid problems, do not nail into the top plate, and leave a gap at the bottom of the wall to accommodate any settling. Nail with drywall nails at 9 inches on-center on both sides of the corner, with nails opposing each other.

Newer “mud-on” or “tape-on” corner beads are less prone to edge cracking than traditional metal corner beads and, with no nails, eliminate nail popping. The corners are metal or plastic and are held in place by paper or vinyl flanges embedded in joint compound. Some of the vinyl corner beads can also be installed with spray-on contact cement. In general, tape-on corner beads require fewer coats and less joint compound than traditional metal corner beads, speeding up the finishing process.

Method for Installing Drywall Curves on Radiused Walls

For radiused walls, the easiest approach is to use two layers of1/4-inch drywall, preferably the “high-flex” type, if available. If not available, it is possible to wet the side of the drywall that will be compressed (the inside of the curve) with a garden sprayer or short-nap roller. Then stack the boards with wet face to wet face and cover with plastic sheeting. After an hour, install the panels with their long dimension across the studs. Minimum bending radii are shown in Table 5-3.

Procedures for Taping and Finishing Drywall: Best Practices

The building should be heated before finishing begins and maintained at 55°F to 70°F throughout taping and finishing.

Photo at left showing drywall expert Ron taping a cathedral ceiling is provided courtesy of Eric Galow, Galow Homes.

The cooler and more humid it is, the longer it will take ready-mixed joint compounds to dry. If necessary, use supplemental heaters and provide adequate ventilation to remove excess moisture.

Too much moisture can soften and weaken the bond between the drywall and the paper facing.

Conversely, if the weather is too hot and dry, paper drywall tape may not bond well and joints may experience excess shrinkage and cracking.

Mesh vs. Paper Tape Choices for Drywall Seams

Mesh tape is easier to apply but not as strong as paper tape. It should never be used in inside corners, where it can tear or be cut by the trowel. However, if combined with setting-type compound, mesh tape is nearly as strong as paper tape and can produce a quality job. Mesh tape is also very useful for repairing cracks in older plaster walls or ceilings.

Joint Compound Types for Drywall Installations

Many residential jobs are taped with premixed all-purpose joint compound for all three coats.

While this is acceptable, according to U.S. Gypsum guidelines, installers can produce stronger joints less prone to cracking by using special setting-type compounds for the first coat to embed the tape and corner beads and patch any big holes.

Do not use setting-type compound on nail or screw indents.

Photo at left showing drywall expert Ron taping a cathedral ceiling is provided courtesy of Eric Galow, Galow Homes.

Setting compounds are mixed on-site and set up by a chemical reaction, rather than evaporation of the water. They dry rock-hard and do not shrink. Setting times range from 20 minutes to several hours, and the compound can be recoated as soon as it sets, rather than the next day as is typical for ready-mix compound. Durabond® 90 is the most commonly used. A new type of setting-type compound from USG, called Easysand®, overcomes the chief liability of setting-type compounds—that they are nearly impossible to sand.

For nail and screw indents, and the fill and topping coats on seams, most contractors use premixed all-purpose compound; although special topping compounds are available. Premixed compound should be stored, applied, and allowed to dry at between 55°F and 70°F, preferably over 60°F.

If allowed to freeze, manufacturers claim that readymix compound can be reused if thawed and remixed thoroughly with an electric mixer, but it is probably wiser to just throw it away.

Specialty Drywall Trims Used with Windows & Doors

Drywall window and door trim, acute and obtuse angles, bullnose corners, and arches have been greatly simplified by the introduction of specialty drywall trims and accessories (see Buy Interior Finish Product Resources). Most profiles are available in metal and plastic in either nail-on or tape-on styles.

Installing Drywall at Off–90 Degree Angles

Standard nail-on or tape-on corner bead provides the strongest 90-degree corner. However, for acute or obtuse outside corners—for example, around skylight wells—you are better off with flexible tape-on corner trims reinforced with metal or plastic that can be set at any angle. These help at inside corners as well, such as between intersecting roof planes, where standard paper tape tends to leave a wavy line.

How to Make Rounded Drywall Corners

A variety of trim products simplify creating rounded inside (cove) or outside (bullnose) corners.

These come in both tape-on and nail-on styles, but the tape-on type are less prone to cracking.

Some of the plastic profiles can also be applied with spray-on contact adhesive. In general, one finish coat of joint compound is applied to the flanges only (after the embedding coat dries), so these profiles are quicker to finish and dry than standard metal corner bead (Figure 5-2).

For miters and three-way corners, some suppliers provide special trim pieces. If these are not available, the trim will need to be miter-cut with a carbide or abrasive blade, depending on the trim material.

Drywall Details for Windows and Doors

For a simple, contemporary detail, you can return the drywall directly to the window or door jamb and trim the edge of the drywall with a J-bead or L-bead, available in both plastic and galvanized steel. J-bead must be slipped on the end of the drywall before it is installed.

It creates a separation from the wood frame, which is useful where movement in the door or window might otherwise crack the finished joint. The reveal type of J-bead, called J-stop, is not mudded, as it serves as finish trim.

Shimming around the rough opening to get an even reveal around door or window jambs can be tricky. Enlarging the rough opening and attaching a plywood or pine backing to the jamb simplifies the task (Figure 5-3).

How to Construct Drywall Arches

Before the introduction of specialty beads designed for curves, building drywall arches meant snipping metal corner bead every inch and bending it as well as possible to conform to the contour of the arch.

A variety of bendable corner beads have simplified the task. Two of the more popular are Archway L Bead (Trim-Tex Inc.), a vinyl installed with a spray-on adhesive, and Arch-Flex (Con-Form International), a vinyl tape-on bead (see Buy Interior Finish Product Resources).

Use 2x stock, or plywood with 2x blocking in between, to frame the curve of the arch.

To form a smooth curve, use two layers of flexible1/4-inch drywall around the curve.

If this is not available, score the back face of a strip of 1/2-inch drywall every inch and form it to the curve (Figure 5-4).

-- Adapted with permission from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction.

Resources: Manufacturers, Industry Associations, & Sources of Indoor Wall Materials, Flooring, Carpeting, Lighting, Sound Control Materials

Drywall Trims and Accessories

Clinch-On Products, A Deitrich Metal Framing Company www.dietrichindustries.com Nail-on and clinch-on galvanized metal corner beads

Con-Form International/Strait Flex www.straitflex.com Strait-Flex fiber-composite mud-on corner bead for inside and outside off-90 degree angles

Drywall Systems International www.no-coat.com No-Coat prefinished drywall tapes for inside and outside corners, off angles and bullnose trims

Flex-Ability Concepts www.flexc.com Curved metal top and bottom plates for curved wood or metal stud walls

Grabber Construction Products www.grabberman.com Drywall screws, corner clips, and fiberglass mesh tapes

Insta Arch Corp. www.instaarch.com Galvanized steel preformed and custom arches for drywall

National Gypsum Co. www.nationalgypsum.com ProForm tapes and finishing compounds

Pla-Cor www.pla-cor.com ABS corner trims, bullnose, 3-way corner caps, and flexible arches

Phillips Manufacturing Co. www.phillipsmfg.com Metal and vinyl corner beads, bullnose trim, and flexible bullnose and angled arch trim

Trim-Tex www.trim-tex.com Vinyl drywall beads, flexible arch beads, and finishing accessories

U.S. Gypsum Beadex and Sheetrock-brand tape-on metal corner beads and trims. Complete line of drywall finishing compounds

Vinyl Corp., A Deitrich Metal Framing Company www.vinylcorp.com Full line of vinyl beads and trim

Industry & Trade Associations for Carpeting, Lighting, Finishes, Wood Products, Flooring, Painting & Decorating

American Lighting Association www.americanlightingassoc.com

Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industries www.awci.org

Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) www.carpet-rug.org

Drywall Finishing Council www.dwfc.org

Forest Stewardship Program www.fscus.org

FloorFacts www.floorfacts.com

The Gypsum Association www.gypsum.org

National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association (NOFMA) www.nofma.com

National Wood Flooring Association www.woodfloors.org

Painting and Decorating Contractors of America www.pdca.org Smartwood/Rainforest Alliance www.smartwood.org

-- Adapted with permission from Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction.

Questions & Answers regarding this article

Questions & answers about the best methods used to install or hang drywall .

Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia

HTML Comment Box is loading comments...

Recommend / Share this Article

...

Technical Reviewers & References

InspectAPedia.com^® - Daniel Friedman - Publisher & Editor.
InspectAPedia Bookstore lists recommended books, organized by topic & available for purchase. Most of our articles also include a list of recommended books for the specific article topic as well as other references, and information sources.
Critique, contributions wanted: Contact Us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website, and if you wish, to receive online listing and credit as a contributor. Particular thanks are due to the many experts and also consumers who read and critique technical articles at InspectAPedia.com.
Additional technical contributors & reference sources for this article are listed below.

Use links just below or at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

DRYWALL Best Practices

Eric Galow, Galow Homes, Lagrangeville, NY. Mr. Galow can be reached by email: ericgalow@gmail.com or by telephone: 914-474-6613. Mr. Galow specializes in residential construction including both new homes and repairs, renovations, and additions.

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.

The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 2010, $69.00 U.S., is available from Carson Dunlop. The Home Reference Book is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. InspectAPedia.com ^® author/editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume.

"The Elimination of Unsafe Guardrails, a Progress Report," Elliott O. Stephenson, Building Standards, March-April 1993
"Are Functional Handrails Within Our Grasp" Jake Pauls, Building Standards, January-February 1991
Access Ramp building codes:
- UBC 1003.3.4.3
- BOCA 1016.3
- ADA 4.8.2
- IBC 1010.2
Access Ramp Standards:
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), Public Law 101-336. 7/26/90 is very often cited by other sources for good design of stairs and ramps etc. even where disabled individuals are not the design target.
- ANSI A117.4 Accessible and Usable buildings and Facilities (earlier version was incorporated into the ADA)
- ASTM F 1637, Standard Practice for Safe Walking Surfaces, (Similar to the above standards)
America's Favorite Homes, mail-order catalogues as a guide to popular early 20th-century houses, Robert Schweitzer, Michael W.R. Davis, 1990, Wayne State University Press ISBN 0814320066 (may be available from Wayne State University Press)
American Plywood Association, APA, "Portland Manufacturing Company, No. 1, a series of monographs on the history of plywood manufacturing",Plywood Pioneers Association, 31 March, 1967, www.apawood.org
Animal Allergens: Dog, Cat, and Other Animal Dander - Cleanup & Prevention Information for Asthmatics and regarding Indoor Air Quality.
Asbestos: How to find and recognize asbestos in buildings - visual inspection methods, list of common asbestos-containing materials
Asbestos HVAC Ducts and Flues field identification photos and guide
Asbestos products and their history and use in various building materials such as asphalt and vinyl flooring includes discussion which draws on Asbestos, Its Industrial Applications, D.V. Rosato, engineering consultant, Newton, MA, Reinhold Publishing, 1959 Library of Congress Catalog Card No.: 59-12535 (out of print).
Asbestos Identification and Testing References

Asbestos Identification, Walter C.McCrone, McCrone Research Institute, Chicago, IL.1987 ISBN 0-904962-11-3. Dr. McCrone literally "wrote the book" on asbestos identification procedures which formed the basis for current work by asbestos identification laboratories.
Stanton, .F., et al., National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 506: 143-151
Pott, F., Staub-Reinhalf Luft 38, 486-490 (1978) cited by McCrone

ASHRAE resource on dew point and wall condensation - see the ASHRAE Fundamentals Handbook, available in many libraries. The following three ASHRAE Handbooks are also available at the InspectAPedia bookstore in the third page of our Insulate-Ventilate section:
- 2005 ASHRAE Handbook : Fundamentals : Inch-Pound Edition (2005 ASHRAE HANDBOOK : Fundamentals : I-P Edition) (Hardcover), Thomas H. Kuehn (Contributor), R. J. Couvillion (Contributor), John W. Coleman (Contributor), Narasipur Suryanarayana (Contributor), Zahid Ayub (Contributor), Robert Parsons (Author), ISBN-10: 1931862702 or ISBN-13: 978-1931862707
- 2004 ASHRAE Handbook : Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning: Systems and Equipment : Inch-Pound Edition (2004 ASHRAE Handbook : HVAC Systems and Equipment : I-P Edition) (Hardcover)
  by American Society of Heating, ISBN-10: 1931862478 or ISBN-13: 978-1931862479
  "2004 ASHRAE Handbook - HVAC Systems and Equipment The 2004 ASHRAE HandbookHVAC Systems and Equipment discusses various common systems and the equipment (components or assemblies) that comprise them, and describes features and differences. This information helps system designers and operators in selecting and using equipment. Major sections include Air-Conditioning and Heating Systems (chapters on system analysis and selection, air distribution, in-room terminal systems, centralized and decentralized systems, heat pumps, panel heating and cooling, cogeneration and engine-driven systems, heat recovery, steam and hydronic systems, district systems, small forced-air systems, infrared radiant heating, and water heating); Air-Handling Equipment (chapters on duct construction, air distribution, fans, coils, evaporative air-coolers, humidifiers, mechanical and desiccant dehumidification, air cleaners, industrial gas cleaning and air pollution control); Heating Equipment (chapters on automatic fuel-burning equipment, boilers, furnaces, in-space heaters, chimneys and flue vent systems, unit heaters, makeup air units, radiators, and solar equipment); General Components (chapters on compressors, condensers, cooling towers, liquid coolers, liquid-chilling systems, centrifugal pumps, motors and drives, pipes and fittings, valves, heat exchangers, and energy recovery equipment); and Unitary Equipment (chapters on air conditioners and heat pumps, room air conditioners and packaged terminal equipment, and a new chapter on mechanical dehumidifiers and heat pipes)."
- 1996 Ashrae Handbook Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning Systems and Equipment: Inch-Pound Edition (Hardcover), ISBN-10: 1883413346 or ISBN-13: 978-1883413347 ,
  "The 1996 HVAC Systems and Equipment Handbook is the result of ASHRAE's continuing effort to update, expand and reorganize the Handbook Series. Over a third of the book has been revised and augmented with new chapters on hydronic heating and cooling systems design; fans; unit ventilator; unit heaters; and makeup air units. Extensive changes have been added to chapters on panel heating and cooling; cogeneration systems and engine and turbine drives; applied heat pump and heat recovery systems; humidifiers; desiccant dehumidification and pressure drying equipment, air-heating coils; chimney, gas vent, fireplace systems; cooling towers; centrifugal pumps; and air-to-air energy recovery. Separate I-P and SI editions."
- Principles of Heating, Ventilating, And Air Conditioning: A textbook with Design Data Based on 2005 AShrae Handbook - Fundamentals (Hardcover), Harry J., Jr. Sauer (Author), Ronald H. Howell, ISBN-10: 1931862923 or ISBN-13: 978-1931862929
- 1993 ASHRAE Handbook Fundamentals (Hardcover), ISBN-10: 0910110964 or ISBN-13: 978-091011096
Best Practices Guide to Residential Construction, by Steven Bliss. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. ISBN-10: 0471648361, ISBN-13: 978-0471648369, Hardcover: 320 pages, available from Amazon.com and also Wiley.com. See our book review of this publication.
Decks and Porches, the JLC Guide to, Best Practices for Outdoor Spaces, Steve Bliss (Editor), The Journal of Light Construction, Williston VT, 2010 ISBN 10: 1-928580-42-4, ISBN 13: 978-1-928580-42-3, available from Amazon.com
Brick nogging used as soundproofing is mentioned in this article on Popular Forest
Brick Nogging, Historical Investigation and Contemporary Repair, Construction Specifier, April 2006. Historical use of brick in timber-framed buildings, drawing on the investigations of the Kent Tavern in Calais, VT. "Brick nogging is a European method of construction which was brought to the new world in the early-nineteenth century. It was a common construction method that employed masonry as infill between the vertical uprights of wood framing." -- quoting the web article review.
Photo of very rough in-wall brick nogging at an architects website
Building Research Council, BRC, nee Small Homes Council, SHC, School of Architecture, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, brc.arch.uiuc.edu. "The Small Homes Council (our original name) was organized in 1944 during the war at the request of the President of the University of Illinois to consider the role of the university in meeting the demand for housing in the United States. Soldiers would be coming home after the war and would be needing good low-cost housing. ... In 1993, the Council became part of the School of Architecture, and since then has been known as the School of Architecture-Building Research Council. ... The Council's researchers answered many critical questions that would affect the quality of the nation's housing stock.
- How could homes be designed and built more efficiently?
- What kinds of construction and production techniques worked well and which did not?
- How did people use different kinds of spaces in their homes?
- What roles did community planning, zoning, and interior design play in how neighborhoods worked
The Circular Staircase, Mary Roberts Rinehart
Construction Drawings and Details, Rosemary Kilmer
"An Example of Colonial Paneling", Norman Morrison Isham, The Metropolitan Museum of Art Bulletin, Vol. 6, No. 5 (May, 1911), pp. 112-116, available by JSTOR.
Dust from the World Trade Center collapse following the 9/11/01 attack: the lower floors of this building contained spray-on fire-proofing asbestos materials.
Energy Savers: Whole House Systems Approach to Energy Efficient Home Design [copy on file as /interiors/Whole_House_Energy_Efficiency_DOE.pdf ] - U.S. Department of Energy
"Energy Savers: Whole-House Supply Ventilation Systems [copy on file as /interiors/Energy_Savers_Whole-House_Supply_Vent.pdf ] - ", U.S. Department of Energy energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11880?print
"Energy Savers: Whole-House Exhaust Ventilation Systems [copy on file as /interiors/Energy_Savers_Whole-House_Exhaust.pdf ] - ", U.S. Department of Energy energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11870
"Energy Savers: Ventilation [copy on file as /interiors/Energy_Savers_Ventilation.pdf ] - ", U.S. Department of Energy
"Energy Savers: Natural Ventilation [copy on file as /interiors/Energy_Savers_Natural_Ventilation.pdf ] - ", U.S. Department of Energy
"Energy Savers: Energy Recovery Ventilation Systems [copy on file as /interiors/Energy_Savers_Energy_Recovery_Venting.pdf ] - ", U.S. Department of Energy energysavers.gov/your_home/insulation_airsealing/index.cfm/mytopic=11900
"Energy Savers: Detecting Air Leaks [copy on file as /interiors/Energy_Savers_Detect_Air_Leaks.pdf ] - ", U.S. Department of Energy
"Energy Savers: Air Sealing [copy on file as /interiors/Energy_Savers_Air_Sealing_1.pdf ] - ", U.S. Department of Energy
Falls and Related Injuries: Slips, Trips, Missteps, and Their Consequences, Lawyers & Judges Publishing, (June 2002), ISBN-10: 0913875430 ISBN-13: 978-0913875438
"Falls in the home and public places are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in the United States, but are overlooked in most literature. This book is unique in that it is entirely devoted to falls. Of use to primary care physicians, nurses, insurance adjusters, architects, writers of building codes, attorneys, or anyone who cares for the elderly, this book will tell you how, why, and when people will likely fall, what most likely will be injured, and how such injuries come about. "
Fiberglass: Indoor Air Quality Investigations: Health Concerns About Airborne Fiberglass: Fiberglass in Indoor Air from HVAC ducts, and Building Insulation
Gypsum Construction Guide, National Gypsum Corporation
Gypsum Construction Handbook [purchase at Amazon.com] H17, Technical Folder SA920 and PM2, PM3 and PM4, United States Gypsum Company, 125 South Franklin ST., PO Box 806278, Chicago, IL 60680-4124,
Humidity: What indoor humidity should we maintain in order to avoid a mold problem?
Ice Dam Leaks in building attics and roof cavities, how to inspect for evidence of leaks, identify causes, and correct bad attic ventilation, improper roof venting, and these causes of attic mold or roof structure damage
"Insulation: Adding Insulation to an Existing Home [copy on file as /interiors/Insulation_Adding_DOE.pdf ] - ," U.S. Department of Energy - tips on how to do your own check for the presence of absence of insulation in a home
Insulation: Selecting Insulation for New Home Construction [copy on file as /interiors/New_Home_Insulation_DOE.pdf ] - , U.S. Department of Energy - "Your state and local building codes probably include minimum insulation requirements, but to build an energy-efficient home, you may need or want to exceed them. For maximum energy efficiency, you should also consider the interaction between the insulation and other building components. This is called the "whole-house systems design approach" [copy on file as /interiors/Whole_House_Energy_Efficiency_DOE.pdf ] -
Insulation Types [copy on file as /interiors/Insulation_Types_DOE.pdf ] - , table of common building insulation properties from U.S. DOE. Readers should see INSULATION R-Values & Properties our own table of insulation properties that includes links to articles describing each insulation material in more detail.
Lath & Plaster Systems [copy on file as /interiors/LathPlaster_Nat_Gypsum.pdf ] - , 092300/NGC, National Gypsum Lath and Plaster Systems, National Gypsum Corporation, 800-628-4662 describing National Gypsum's Kal-Kore brand plaster base
Lighting, proper use of: proper aiming of a good flashlight can disclose hard to see but toxic light or white mold colonies on walls.
Metal Lath Specifications, Specification for metal lath and accessories, Lath and Plaster [copy on file as/interiors/Amico_lath-inside.pdf ] - from Amico, a lath and plaster accessory producer.
Mobile Home Inspections common defects unique to factory built housing, inspection methods
The National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST (nee National Bureau of Standards NBS) is a US government agency - see www.nist.gov
- "A Parametric Study of Wall Moisture Contents Using a Revised Variable Indoor Relative Humidity Version of the "Moist" Transient Heat and Moisture Transfer Model [copy on file as/interiors/MOIST_Model_NIST_b95074.pdf ] - ", George Tsongas, Doug Burch, Carolyn Roos, Malcom Cunningham; this paper describes software and the prediction of wall moisture contents. - PDF Document from NIS
Nogging: See this photo of exposed bricks on a building exterior on a building exterior in Canada. [Thanks to Carson Dunlop, Toronto - see References below].
Pergo AB, division of Perstorp AB, is a Swedish manufacturer or modern laminate flooring products. Information about the U.S. company can be found at http://www.pergo.com where we obtained historical data used in our discussion of the age of flooring materials in buildings.
Piquet Wall Construction: See this photo of piquet wall construction - involving timber-framed wall construction with long top girts, diagonal timber bracing, and small diameter logs placed vertically along with concrete chinking to fill in the wall plane.
Plank House Construction: weblog from plankhouse.wordpress.com/2009/01/25/plank-house-construction/ and where plank houses were built by native Americans, see
Large 1:6 Scale Plank House Construction / P8094228, Photographer: Mike Meuser
06/12/2007 documented at yurokplankhouse.com where scale model Museum quality Yurok Plank Houses are being sold to raise money for the Blue Creek - Ah Pah Traditional Yurok Village project.
Plastering, PM 5, Product & Systems Technology, US Gypsum, May 1998, web search 10.5.2010, original source: http://www.usg.com/rc/technical-articles/plaster/ [copy on file as/interiors/Plastering_USG.pdf ] -
plastering-technical-guide-veneer-plaster-joint-reinforcement-systems-en-PM5.pdf
United States Gypsum Company, 125 South Franklin ST., PO Box 806278, Chicago, IL 60680-4124,
Paraphrasing from this document: USG uses the term shadowing in this document in describing the visual effect over gypsum board joints caused by the lower moisture absorption rate (take-up) and lower capacity than gypsum base face paper. Shadowing at joints occurs where veneer plaster is applied over tape joints, requiring a second coat to completely hide the tape, providing a visually uniform surface. USG Advises: "This [second] cover coat must be allowed to harden and dry before plaster application is started.
Plastering Skills, F. Van Den Branden, Thomas L. Hartsell, Amer Technical Pub (July 1, 1985), ISBN-10: 0826906575, ISBN-13: 978-0826906571 [purchase at Amazon.com]
Re-Bath, tub lining products is a bath tub relining manufacturer and distributor located in Tempe, Arizona - see rebath.com
Rubblestone Wall Filler: See this Lartigue House using exterior-exposed rubblestone filler between vertical timbers of a post and beam-framed Canadian building.
Slips, Trips, Missteps and Their Consequences, Second Edition, Gary M. Bakken, H. Harvey Cohen,A. S. Hyde, Jon R. Abele, ISBN-13: 978-1-933264-01-1 or ISBN 10: 1-933264-01-2, available from the publisher, Lawyers ^ Judges Publishing Company,Inc., www.lawyersandjudges.com sales@lawyersandjudges.com and also from the InspectAPedia Bookstore (Amazon.com)
The Stairway Manufacturers' Association, (877) 500-5759, provides a pictorial guide to the stair and railing portion of the International Residential Code. [copy on file as http://www.stairways.org/pdf/2006%20Stair%20IRC%20SCREEN.pdf ] -
What Mold and Allergens Look Like: mold identification photos to help identify mold - choosing what to sample in buildings
How to Clean Moldy Wood Framing & Sheathing How to clean/seal mold from/on exposed lumber or plywood subfloor or roof sheathing indoors - some suggestions based on our field and laboratory research
Lighting, proper use of: proper aiming of a good flashlight can disclose hard to see but toxic light or white mold colonies on walls.
Manufactured & Modular Homes: Modular Building Systems Association, MBSA, modularhousing.com, is a trade association promoting and providing links to contact modular builders in North America. Also see the Manufactured Home Owners Association, MHOAA, at www.mhoaa.us. The Manufactured Home Owners Association of America is a National Organization dedicated to the protection of the rights of all people living in Manufactured Housing in the United States.
Mold spores in the Home - a Photo ID Library for detection and identification of mold allergens.
How to Find and Test For Mold in buildings A "how to" photo and text primer on finding and choosing the right spots to test for mold in buildings
Stuff that is not mold but is often mistaken for it - things you may not want to test. Also, not all "black mold" is toxic - here are examples of harmless black mold.
Simple Adhesive Tape Sampling of Moldy Surfaces - how to send a mold sample to our lab
Mold Sampling Methods in the Indoor Environment - In-depth article: detailed critique of popular mold testing methods - Is your mold test kit worth the bother?
Mold-Resistant Building Practices, advice from an expert on how to prevent mold after a building flood and how to prevent mold growth in buildings by selection of building materials and by anti-mold construction details.
Slips, Trips, Missteps and Their Consequences, Gary M. Bakken, H. Harvey Cohen, Jon R. Abele, Alvin S. Hyde, Cindy A. LaRue, Lawyers and Judges Publishing; ISBN-10: 1933264012 ISBN-13: 978-1933264011
Slips, Trips, Missteps and Their Consequences, Second Edition, Gary M. Bakken, H. Harvey Cohen,A. S. Hyde, Jon R. Abele, ISBN-13: 978-1-933264-01-1 or ISBN 10: 1-933264-01-2, available from the publisher, Lawyers & Judges Publishing Company,Inc., www.lawyersandjudges.com sales@lawyersandjudges.com and also from the InspectAPedia Bookstore (Amazon.com)
Steps and Stairways, Cleo Baldon & Ib Melchior, Rizzoli, 1989.
The Staircase, Ann Rinaldi
Common Sense Stairbuilding and Handrailing, Fred T. Hodgson
The Art of Staircases, Pilar Chueca
Building Stairs, by pros for pros, Andy Engel
A Simplified Guide to Custom Stairbuilding, George R. Christina
Basic Stairbuilding, Scott Schuttner
The Staircase (two volumes), John Templar, Cambridge: the MIT Press, 1992
The Staircase: History and Theories, John Templar, MIT Press 1995
Steps and Stairways, Cleo Baldon & Ib Melchior, Rizzoli, 1989.
"The Dimensions of Stairs", J. M. Fitch et al., Scientific American, October 1974.
"The Elimination of Unsafe Guardrails, a Progress Report," Elliott O. Stephenson, Building Standards, March-April 1993
"Are Functional Handrails Within Our Grasp" Jake Pauls, Building Standards, January-February 1991
"Weather-Resistive Barriers [copy on file as /interiors/Weather_Resistant_Barriers_DOE.pdf ] - ", how to select and install housewrap and other types of weather resistive barriers, U.S. DOE
Weaver: Beaver Board and Upson Board: Beaver Board and Upson Board: History and Conservation of Early Wallboard, Shelby Weaver, APT Bulletin, Vol. 28, No. 2/3 (1997), pp. 71-78, Association for Preservation Technology International (APT), available online at JSTOR.
What Style Is It?: A Guide to American Architecture, Rev., John C. Poppeliers, S. Allen Chambers, Wiley; Rev Sub edition (October 6, 2003), ISBN-10: 0471250368, ISBN-13: 978-0471250364
...

Free Encyclopedia of Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, Repair

Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia

Drywall Types & Installation Procedures

Types of Drywall

Standard Drywall Properties

Fire-Resistant Drywall Specifications

Moisture-Resistant Drywall

Mold-Resistant Drywall

Installation Procedures for Drywall: Best Practices Guide

Framing Specifications for Successful Drywall Installation

Framing Spans Recommended for Ceiling & Wall Drywall Installation

Guide to the Adhesive Installation Method for Drywall

How to Install Floating Corners to Avoid Drywall Cracks

Guide to use of Control Joints to Avoid Drywall Cracks

Installing Drywall Corner Bead

Method for Installing Drywall Curves on Radiused Walls

Procedures for Taping and Finishing Drywall: Best Practices

Mesh vs. Paper Tape Choices for Drywall Seams

Joint Compound Types for Drywall Installations

Specialty Drywall Trims Used with Windows & Doors

Installing Drywall at Off–90 Degree Angles

How to Make Rounded Drywall Corners

Drywall Details for Windows and Doors

How to Construct Drywall Arches

Resources: Manufacturers, Industry Associations, & Sources of Indoor Wall Materials, Flooring, Carpeting, Lighting, Sound Control Materials

Drywall Trims and Accessories

Industry & Trade Associations for Carpeting, Lighting, Finishes, Wood Products, Flooring, Painting & Decorating

Questions & Answers regarding this article

Ask a Question or Search InspectAPedia

Technical Reviewers & References

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair