Drywall, also known as gypsum board or wallboard, is a common building material used for interior walls and ceilings. Drywall is made from gypsum, a soft sulfate mineral, that is ground into a fine powder and then combined with water and other ingredients to form a paste. This paste is then pressed between two sheets of heavy paper to create a flat, smooth panel.
Drywall profiles refer to the thickness and size of the drywall panels. The most common thicknesses are 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch, and 5/8 inch. The standard size for drywall panels is 4 feet wide and 8 feet long, but they can also be purchased in 4 feet wide by 12 feet long or 4 feet wide by 16 feet long.
The production standards for drywall profiles include ASTM C1396 Standard Specification for Gypsum Board, which sets guidelines for the physical and performance properties of drywall, as well as the ASTM C1177 Standard Practice for the Construction of Fire-Resistance-Rated Wall and Floor/Ceiling Assemblies, which provides guidelines for the use of drywall in fire-rated assemblies.
In addition, the industry also follows the guidelines of the National Gypsum Association and the Gypsum Association. These organizations develop standards, recommendations, and guidelines for the installation and use of drywall, as well as provide educational resources and training programs for professionals in the construction industry.
Drywall profile machines are used to produce drywall profiles, also known as gypsum board or sheetrock.