What Is Drywall, and How Is It Made?

Drywall — sometimes called gypsum board or sheetrock — is a panel made of a gypsum core sandwiched between two layers of heavy paper. Gypsum is a soft, naturally fire-resistant mineral that’s mined, crushed, and cooked to remove moisture. It’s then mixed with water and other additives and poured between layers of paper before being cut to size and dried in large kilns.

Most sheets are 4 feet wide and either 8, 10, or 12 feet long. Standard thickness is ½”, though ⅝” is used in certain fire-rated applications or where extra durability is needed. There’s also moisture-resistant (green board), mold-resistant (purple board),

and lightweight panels for ceilings.

Drywall Delivery and Prep

Drywall delivery might not seem like a big deal, but there’s some coordination involved. Quality Homes & Renovations will schedule drywall delivery once insulation is inspected and approved. The delivery crew "stocks" the drywall required in each room, to keep handling to a minimum.

Installation: Getting It on the Walls and Ceilings

The drywall is then ‘hung’ on the framing. Ceilings are always done first so the wall sheets can butt up tight against them, helping support the joint and giving a cleaner finish.

Each sheet is fastened using specific drywall screws into the framing — they are set using a special drilled that sets the screw just below the surface of the board so it can be plastered over. Special care is taken around electrical boxes, windows, and door openings — these are pre-marked and cut out with a rotozip or drywall saw.

Once the board is up, all joints and corners are visible — and this is where the real artistry begins.

Taping, Mudding, and Sanding: The Finishing Process

With the drywall installed, it’s time to tape the joints. This involves embedding paper or fiberglass mesh tape into a thin coat of joint compound (a.k.a. mud). Three coats of compound are applied in total — each wider and thinner than the last — to smooth out the surface and hide seams and fasteners.

Inside corners are done with drywall tape and outside corners are reinforced with metal or plastic corner beads. These beads are nailed or crimped into place and covered with compound for a clean, durable edge.

Each coat of mud has to dry thoroughly before applying the next. Drying times vary depending on humidity and temperature — we will leave fans running in the summer to move air around, and an electric furnace will provide heat in the colder months.

After the final sanding, the walls are ready for primer and paint. If you've ever wondered why drywall finishing is priced by "level" (Level 1 to Level 5), it's all about how visible the finish will be — a Level 5 is typically reserved for smooth, flat ceilings under critical lighting conditions.

What It Means for Your Project

Drywall is one of those steps that really changes how a space feels. Surprisingly, the home feels much larger once the walls and ceilings are covered. Once it’s installed and finished, you can finally walk into a room and start imagining it painted, decorated, and lived in.

At Quality Homes & Renovations, we coordinate drywall as part of a carefully timed schedule — ensuring mechanicals are complete, insulation is inspected, and the building is ready for the mess that mudding and sanding can bring. We use experienced drywall crews to ensure the finish is smooth, square, and ready for paint, tile, or paneling.

Final Thoughts

Drywall might not get much attention compared to kitchens or roofing, but it’s a huge part of how your home looks and feels when it’s finished. A good drywall job disappears into the background — smooth, seamless, and solid. A bad one? Well, you’ll be noticing those seams every time the sunlight hits the wall just right.

Got questions about drywall on your build? We’d be happy to chat.