2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 22:24
- Impromptu tricks
- Ready reinforced profiles
- Application of double skin technology
When installing internal walls, questions often arise, how to strengthen a plasterboard partition, and what fasteners should be used to assemble it? The solutions to these problems may be different, depending on the complexity of the job and your capabilities. As a rule, to strengthen the partitions, rack-mount profiles with a width of 100 millimeters are used, but in this case the structure is too massive. Is it possible to achieve an acceptable thickness with optimal strength? Yes, it's doable, and if that's the goal, there are a lot of tricks and tricks you can use.
Impromptu tricks
A fairly thin reinforced plasterboard wall will turn out if each vertical post is made from two folded profiles. This design can support more weight than one profile. The parts are connected using self-tapping screws, which are usually screwed in in increments of 150-200 millimeters. On the other hand, the profiles are not designed to be used in such a non-standard way and the prefab support may not be very practical.
Another way to strengthen the structure is to insert a wooden beam into the profile. Both parts are connected with self-tapping screws in increments of up to 200 millimeters. Before reinforcing a drywall profile with timber, it is advisable to ensure that the dimensions are correct. It is necessary that the width of the timber is slightly less than the width of the profile. It is also required to ensure that the support does not deform during the connection of the fasteners. Then the reinforced drywall profile will adhere to the horizontal strips with millimeter precision.
Both options are impromptu and are most often used to create doorways. However, it is possible to install more durable profiles directly from the manufacturer.
Ready reinforced profiles
The indicators of the maximum load that the profile can withstand depend on two indicators - the width of the product and the thickness of the metal used. The wider and thicker the profile, the correspondingly stronger it is. Therefore, if the question arises of how to strengthen a drywall wall, you can purchase ready-made certified products designed for increased loads.
Rack profiles are divided into three categories depending on the width:
• 50 millimeters - a universal standard;
• 75 millimeters - in most situations, this particular profile is used to strengthen the frame;
• 100 millimeters - for cases where high requirements are imposed on the strength of the partition.
Regardless of the width of the profile, it is best to use those that are made of a sheet of metal with a thickness of 0.55 millimeters or more, ideal if this figure is 0.6 millimeters. Then the partition will turn out to be quite strong, even if sheathed it with only one layer of drywall.
In most cases, it is sufficient to install a profile with a width of 75 millimeters. With it, the reinforced plasterboard partition will not be too bulky. Rack profiles with a width of 100 millimeters are an option for situations where it is planned to impose the maximum load on the wall. Partitions on such supports are the thickest possible, but they acquire excellent sound insulation properties. Also, almost any engineering communications can be hidden inside them.
Application of double skin technology
There is another way, how to strengthen the frame for drywall, if the strength of the profile with a width of 75 millimeters does not suit you. Usually in such a situation, double cladding is made using profiles with a width of 50 millimeters. Then the thickness of the partition will be 100 millimeters, but its strength will increase significantly.
It helps well to strengthen the plasterboard partition, double sheathing was folded with the intersection of the seams. This method also improves the sound insulation of the room.
It is recommended to place a layer of mineral wool between the profiles. This will contribute to better sound insulation. Although the wall will practically not transmit noise anyway, it is better to play it safe and get rid of cavities in which sound propagates and resonates well. The reinforced plasterboard frame itself with double sheathing also retains heat well inside the room. It is better to lay mineral wool after one side of the partition has already been sewn up with sheets: this will greatly facilitate the fixation of the filler.
Drywall is attached to the profiles with self-tapping screws, while their caps are recommended to be screwed in to the end in order to avoid protrusions above the wall surface. After all, you need not only to take care of how to strengthen the plasterboard partition, but also to ensure that all further finishing work is carried out without a hitch. The fact is that the protruding caps of the screws will interfere with the application of the putty. If they are too "drowned", the strength of the connection will be broken.
For the assembly of partitions, it is best to use a reinforced Knauf drywall profile, which is quite durable and practical. Products of different thicknesses and widths are produced under this brand, so it will not be difficult to find a suitable option.
