A Detailed Look Into the History of Drywall

Before drywall became such an integral part of the construction industry, it was first sold in the form of small fireproof tiles. Handyman Connection® of Winter Park guides you through the history of the development of drywall, from its invention to how it became a staple in construction projects.

The Invention of Drywall

The year was 1916. Construction materials manufacturer U.S. Gypsum Company invented a drywall prototype and called it Sackett Board, named after one of the company’s subsidiaries, Sackett Plaster Company. During this time, the material was sold as fireproof tiles, substantially smaller than the standard 4-foot wide variants used today. The material was sold as layers of gypsum and paper sheets a few years after its invention. However, the more recent composition of drywall wouldn’t be used in any significant way or quantity until after 25 years.

Not long after, U.S. Gypsum changed the material’s name to sheetrock.

The Demand for Drywall

Even with its new material composition, drywall still struggled to infiltrate the industry. The public’s apprehensions regarding using drywall for construction stemmed mostly due to how quick and cost-effective drywall was to use. It seemed not a lot of people wanted to be associated with something considered as a “cheap fix”. The public preferred plaster for their homes as it was deemed as the more refined choice.

However, the United States’ involvement in World War II put a strain on the country’s labor force. The shortage resulted in plaster falling out of favor as the nation’s primary building material, giving way to drywall. When the war ended in 1945, drywall has become the leading building material in the U.S.

The Evolution of Drywall Composition

Recent scientific and technological advances paved the way for eco-friendly drywall variants. There are drywall-types that are made of wheat, grass, and even straw, all compressed between two sheets of paper. No matter the composition, the materials still share drywall’s fire-resistant nature.

Whether it’s for drywall installation or repair, you can count on Handyman Connection of Winter Park to do the job right the first time. If you’d like to know more about our services, you can call us at (407) 270-2348.