Drywall slopes: the pros and cons of designs

Replacing double-glazed windows is an important stage in the improvement of a living space. The installation of new windows will create a stable microclimate in the house without drafts and street noise. It will increase the level of energy saving. Each master can independently determine which type of finishing is most acceptable for him: plastic finishing, installation of drywall, plastering.

To obtain a flat surface with clear and correct angles, it is better for home craftsmen to opt for gypsum plasterboard slopes. We study their advantages and disadvantages.

Gypsum board - a gypsum board pasted over on both sides with durable cardboard. An unusual panel arrangement, a combination of a gypsum base and cardboard sheets allows you to create strong and durable partitions, slopes and other types of home interior structures. Affordable price and ease of installation made gypsum boards the most popular even among novice craftsmen.

The construction market offers gypsum plasterboard panels of various markings that can be used in various fields of use:

• Suitable for walls are gray sheets 2.5 m long and 1.2 m wide. Gypsum base 12.5 mm in size does not contain additional additives and has properties that meet the established standard.
• For the ceiling, light gray panels have been developed, similar to those for walls, but having a thickness of 9.5 mm. This allows you to significantly reduce the cost of the material and makes it affordable.

This material has additional properties.

This material is a green gypsum backing panel. They are resistant to moisture, have a special moisture-resistant impregnation and impregnation with antifungal properties. Suitable for installation in rooms with high humidity and in places with possible condensation, has standard sheet sizes.

This group includes sheets of light gray color, which have standard sizes. The gypsum base is filled with reinforcing additives. Reinforced fireproof cardboard sheets do not form a flame when ignited, and charred without destroying the structure.

These varieties have the properties of a moisture-resistant and fire-resistant material.

This range is represented by light gray sheets with a thickness of 6.5 mm, a length of 3 m and a standard width. The core contains fiberglass filaments that makes it possible to mount curved shapes with different bending radii... The high price of panels and the installation of thin sheets in two layers increase the estimated cost of the work.

Manufacturers produce sheets of two quality categories: A and B. The first category is the most popular. It does not allow any errors in the dimensions of the panels. The second is produced on old equipment, so it is of lower quality.

The edges of the sides of drywall can be divided into several main types:

• Straight;
• With refinement;
• Semicircular;
• Semicircular with thinning;
• Rounded.

When choosing a material for finishing work, taking into account all design requirements, it is necessary to pay attention to its characteristics and properties.

Let's designate the main ones:

• Strength when forming a bend (drywall 10 mm thick can withstand 15 kg of load).
• Fire resistance (refractory sheets do not form a flame in a fire, and the gypsum base simply collapses).
• Sustainability to temperature fluctuations.
• Moisture absorption (Ordinary sheets have the least resistance to moisture, this reduces their strength and can lead to deformation).
• Thermal conductivity (a high coefficient of thermal insulation will allow the walls to be insulated simultaneously with the leveling process).
• Structural load (the weight of hinged decoration elements should not exceed 20 kg).
• Weight and thickness of sheets (different thickness and light weight of the panels make it possible to use gypsum plasterboard in a variety of ways in the interior).

Window and balcony openings are places with a constant temperature drop and condensation. For the formation of slopes, experts recommend using moisture-resistant gypsum boards. The gypsum panel construction has a number of advantages.

The main ones are:

• affordable price of gypsum board;
• long service life;
• minimum amount of waste;
• creating a flawlessly smooth surface;
• installation without the use of special tools.

In addition, it has other properties, including:

• versatility (suitable for plastic and wooden windows);
• the ability to perform finishing work in a short time without the use of plaster and putty;
• high protective performance against sound and temperature effects of the environment;
• prevention of the appearance and spread of mold and fungal pathogens;
• the possibility of using different types of finishing materials.

Installation of a lightweight structure made of gypsum panels is possible without the need for a reinforced frame profile. The porous structure of the material creates an optimal microclimate in the house, helps to regulate humidity and stabilize temperature drops.

The environmental safety of slopes makes it possible to use them in children's rooms and bedrooms. Ease of work will allow you to form complex and non-standard openings, arches and niches in the most daring design projects.

The disadvantages include:

• low structural strength;
• low moisture resistance of ordinary sheets;
• destruction by sunlight;
• lack of the possibility of partial replacement of the deformed area;
• reduction of the light opening.

The fragility of the structure and the risk of its destruction do not allow drilling large holes to accommodate electrical fittings and other decorative elements. The work must be carried out with the use of personal protective equipment for the eyes and respiratory tract. (to avoid the negative effects of gypsum particles on the mucous membrane of the eyes and respiratory system).

For a quick and high-quality installation of a structure made of plasterboard panels, before starting work, you need to take care of the availability of tools for finishing work.

You may need:

• grinder or tool for cutting metal;
• drill;
• special knife for gypsum panels;
• bubble building level;
• measuring instruments.

The preparatory stage involves high-quality cleaning of the working surface:

• It is necessary to remove excess polyurethane foam after sealing the window frame, the remains of old paint and plaster inside and outside the room.
• It is necessary to treat the surface inside the structure with an antifungal primer.
• It is important to seal up the areas with polyurethane foam with cement mortar (to reduce the ingress of drafts through the pores).

After that it is necessary:

• apply plaster;
• make insulation and waterproofing;
• accurately measure the depth and width of the window opening;
• cut sheets of the required size with a small margin.

Drywall cutting technology consists of several stages. Necessary:

• lay the sheet with its back side on a flat horizontal surface;
• using measuring tools, draw the lines of the incision site, strictly observing the dimensions of the window opening;
• draw 2 times along the drawn lines with an assembly knife, trying to cut the upper paper layer;
• lifting the panel, break it at the place of the cut;
• cut the front layer of the cardboard.

For a solid and reliable fixation of the structure of gypsum-based panels, professional builders recommend using a special glue, carrying out its dilution, strictly following the manufacturer's instructions. It is necessary to stir the composition in a clean plastic container using an electric drill until the consistency of thick sour cream.

Installation of slopes provides for several ways of carrying out work. Let's consider the main ones.

A metal profile is fixed in the window opening, the free space is filled with filler (for thermal insulation), the resulting structure is sewn up with gypsum sheets. The advantages of this method are easy installation and no joints.

The glue method requires experience and installation skills to correctly fix the panels, taking into account the angles of inclination. The cut sheets of drywall are glued with special mounting glue to the window openings, the upper vertical parts are fixed with wooden slats until the adhesive base is completely dry.

The advantages of this method are the absence of a profile and a beautiful appearance. The work is done quickly and requires a minimum amount of materials.

Fixation on polyurethane foam is used in cases where it is not possible to mount a metal frame, walls do not hold dowels, adhesive solutions cannot be fixed on the surface. This method does not require additional materials.

The lining of the upper horizontal surface of the opening in the wall is mounted by means of guides made on three sides.

Installation of slopes in doorways of entrance doors is performed in the same way as slopes for windows. Sewing up the finish with gypsum panels is the easiest and most affordable way. The fastening of the guides must be carried out from four sides, the cells in the structure must be filled with mineral wool. It is necessary to fix the cut sheets every 25 cm.

The vertical corners should be trimmed with corner forming tape to protect against damage and give the structure a neat look. You need to paint the slopes with a brush or roller in a single color scheme for the overall interior.

The final finishing of the slopes includes several technological stages of the work:

• elimination of all irregularities;
• forming the outer corner with metal sloping corners with perforation, covering them with a thick layer of plaster;
• alignment of grooves, side joints and upper parts with a putty solution;
• surface priming, application of finishing putty;
• painting of gypsum sheets in two layers with water-based paint for interior use.

Installation of window or door openings using drywall is a simple and affordable type of work for novice craftsmen. Observing the order of work and the rules of the technological process, the installation will be carried out efficiently and in a short time, the structure will serve for many years.

The professional advice of the masters will help in the implementation of the tasks:

• Accurate measurements of the window opening are the key to quality work.
• Avoid the formation of gaps between the mating surfaces.
• Fastening the gypsum board to the metal profile is carried out with special self-tapping screws for drywall.
• Antifungal solutions will help prevent mold from forming under the installed structure.

• High-quality putty and paint will protect the surface from moisture and make it more durable.
• By applying the rule to the place of the cut, you can get perfectly straight edges of the parts.
• Drywall is a durable material, but a strong impact can lead to its destruction.
• Moisture resistant sheets are a versatile material for interior work, which must be preferred when installing slopes.

The plasterboard structure does not withstand heavy loads, therefore it is not recommended to use ceramic tiles or wood panels for finishing work. Before painting the surface with paint from different cans, it must be mixed to obtain a uniform tone.

Strict adherence to all the rules and regulations of the technological process of installing slopes will help to avoid the appearance of mold and mildew, and will preserve the neat and attractive appearance of the structure.

For information on how to make drywall slopes, see the next video.