a material with ability to bond two surfaces or objects together
bead/corner bead
metal, paper or plastic covering protecting and reinforcing corners of drywall
blister
a loose, raised spot due to an air space or void in the core of drywall; a tape blister under the tape, usually caused by insufficient compound beneath the tape; also referred to as air bubble
butt joint
the joint formed when the cut ends of drywall are placed adjacent to one another
caulking
to seal small openings in wall or ceiling systems to prevent leakage of sound or to create a finished appearance and seal between dissimilar materials
chalk line
a straight working line made by snapping a chalked cord between two points
coat
a single thickness application of compound
compound (see also filler)
a material used in covering joints, corners, and fasteners in the finishing of drywall to produce a smooth and uniform surface. Also used for repairing small holes and cracks in the surface to be painted
control joint
an expansion or compression space to relieve movement stresses in large ceiling and wall areas
drywall
the generic name for a family of non-combustible sheet products consisting of a core primarily of gypsum and paper surfacing
drywall (acoustical or soundproof)
while all drywall has some soundproofing qualities, soundproof drywall adds additional wood fiber, gypsum, and polymers to increase the sound transmission class (STC) above that of regular drywall
drywall (fibre mat)
regular gypsum panels that feature a non-combustible, moisture-resistant gypsum core that is encased in a green colored fiberglass face and back that shed water
drywall (fire-rated)
specialized fire-resistant drywall is used in garages and basements, around equipment that might cause a fire. It contains fiberglass, which slows the progress of fire and doesn’t burn as fast as regular gypsum
drywall (impact-resistant)
a specialty application product that consists of a high-density, mould- and moisture-resistant, Type X core covered both front and back in either heavyweight-paper facers or tough fiberglass mats
drywall (mould-resistant)
often called green board, is made with a paper backing thicker than regular drywall and coated with wax for extra moisture resistance. It also comes with a fiberglass mesh that is non-organic, removing the food necessary for mould to grow (called paperless drywall). Mould-resistant drywall is most often used in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms and as a tile backer. A mould-resistant mud is also available. Note that moisture-resistant drywall is not the same as mould-resistant
drywall (regular)
often called white board, is the most common type used in ceilings and walls in homes and commercial projects
drywall (VOC-absorbing)
a relatively new product, volatile organic compound (VOC)-absorbing drywall captures chemicals and other VOCs and traps them within the drywall, making them inert. These chemicals come from other building materials, as well as cleaning products used every day. The drywall works even after being painted or covered with a light wallcovering for up to 75 years.
drywall plug (patch)
replacement piece of drywall made from a scrap piece of drywall that matches the surface being repaired; also known as patch, Chicago patch, California patch
embed
to apply and wipe tape with compound
face paper
finished side of gypsum board
feathering
using the knife and trowel to blend the edges of the filler into the drywall
filler (see also compound)
a material used in covering joints, corners, and fasteners in the finishing of drywall to produce a smooth and uniform surface. Also used for repairing small holes and cracks in the surface to be painted.
finishing box
a tool that automatically dispenses the proper amount of compound, coats the joint and feathers the edge; another name for the flat finishing box used to apply coats of compound over drywall joints
fisheyes
small holes found in application of compound
flat joint
a joint with bevelled edges; also called a factory joint
hopper
a device used for embedding tape;
attachment to spray gun used in texturing;
holding tank for spray machines
joint
the seam produced by the placement of two pieces of drywall
keying
scratching or scoring surface to promote good bonding of filler
knock-down
a technique used to flatten the top of textured finishes for a unique look
laser level
device used in levelling vertical and horizontal surfaces using a laser
mouldings
ornamental pieces installed in the angles of rooms, especially in older buildings such as Victorian style; original mouldings may have been made of plaster, but replacement mouldings are most commonly plaster-coated foam mouldings
orange peel
a type of finish having the texture of an orange
Plaster of Paris
type of compound that is used for patching and repairs; it dries very quickly and is very hard once dry
pole sander
sandpaper holder affixed to the end of a pole with a swivel to aid in the sanding process
pre-filling compound
an application method to prepare drywall to conceal joints before applying tape and compound
primer
coating applied to a substrate for the purpose of sealing, adhesion of subsequent coats, and corrosion control
putty knife
flat-bladed, narrow metal tool for filling cracks and holes
sanding
smoothing surface with sandpaper
scuff-sand
sanding using a rough grit to remove working lines and achieve a smooth surface
sealer
coating used to prevent excessive absorption of subsequent coats into a porous surface or to prevent stains from bleeding out of the substrate; a thin liquid sometimes applied on wood, plaster, drywall, or masonry to prevent dirt, moisture, stain, etc., from penetrating
skimming compound
usually a thin watered down compound, it is used to smooth the surface on the final coat
stucco ceiling
a type of textured ceiling; also called popcorn ceiling
textured surface
a surface decoration applied by hand or machine
touch-up
a final step in drywall finishing where deficiencies are identified and corrected in order to prepare for painting; also known as check-out/light-check
trim
elongated strip of metal, plastic or paper material with a central nose and a pair of flanges extending outwardly from the nose. Provides crisp clean reveals and protects around openings or at ceiling and floors
wet sand
to smooth a finished joint with a wet sponge; a method used to reduce dust created by dry sanding
working lines
ridges and ripples in applied compound; once dry, working lines are removed by sanding