Builder Chicks represents the day-to-day needs of women in the construction industry. We offer the latest building news, links to educational resources and job boards. We bring you stories related to developments that affect all construction workers. Enjoy your first cup of morning coffee with Builder Chicks.

.

Drywall and Cracking at Expansion Joints

Drywall Expansion Joint
Drywall, which is made from pressed gypsum particles, is smooth and provides a professional wall surface, but it can’t withstand pressure from foundation settling or structural shifting. Expansion joints, also called control joints, are installed in predetermined areas when constructing long wall expanses or building on soil known for its instability. Expansion joints serve as the weakest points in the wall, and their purpose is to relieve pressure on drywall that otherwise would result in cracks.

Drywall expansion joints are plastic or vinyl strips that feature a V or U shape down the center of the strip. When installed in a wall, the V or U shape expands slightly, allowing the wall to shift imperceptibly without cracking the drywall. Expansion joints are visible and are not covered by drywall joint compound.
 


The longer a wall or the larger a ceiling, the more it requires the installation of drywall expansion joints to reduce cracking. The joints are not common in standard residential construction unless the soil is known to move. In commercial construction, however, expansion joints are common, and architects and engineers use them to control cracking during future movement of a building.

Drywall expansion joints fit in the seam between two drywall panels. The joints are made in different sizes, and a contractor must leave a gap between the drywall panels when he attaches them to the framing beneath. Depending on the anticipated movement, an expansion joint may require a gap of 1/4 inch up to 1 inch. The expansion joint features fins on each side that attach to the adjacent drywall panels with drywall nails or spray adhesive. After the joints are in place, the contractor applies joint compound only over the fins, not over the joint.

Made of vinyl or other flexible materials, an expansion joint will expand and contract, but it should not crack unless it was taped over during installation. You may brush paint over expansion joints to minimize their appearance in a wall, but do not fill them with joint compound as you would other drywall seams.

10 comments:

  1. Flexo Tech Product is the leading manufacturers and suppliers of expansion belows and expansion joints in bangalore, India. expansion joints manufacturers

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks to post about expansion joints. I follow about to know on expansion joints so I read on datonginc always. Your post is helping me to know more.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Expansion joints are used in constructions to cater for shifting nature of weather. Heat can cause certain parts of constructions to expand and reduce, but the joint themselves enable them to do so without damage to the overall structure of a construction to be compromised. I hope this can be helped too. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yes! Expansion joints allow for the wall in which they are placed to move without restraint, and they control where the movement manifests, avoiding random cracking in finished walls.

    ReplyDelete
  5. One of the best manufacturer of expansion joints in the Philippines that I know is GCK International Inc. which delivers the best and the highest quality.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I wasn't aware that longer walls and ceilings need drywall expansion joints to reduce cracking. There is a crack that is forming along one of the walls in my house. I'm beginning to wonder if the problem might be related to this. http://www.classicceilings.com.au

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have a home that I am interested in purchasing and there are 4 expansion joints in only one room of the home, the dining room. In this dining room, there are two of the 4 joints installed above the new french doors installed. The other 2 are on the walls on either side of the french door wall. Would the reasoning for the joints be because of the french doors installed? I have never seen these in the 16 years in the business so at a loss. It appears to be due to movement and need to know if I should be concerned.

    ReplyDelete
  8. In this manner my buddy Wesley Virgin's story begins with this shocking and controversial video.

    As a matter of fact, Wesley was in the military-and shortly after leaving-he revealed hidden, "mind control" tactics that the government and others used to obtain whatever they want.

    As it turns out, these are the exact same tactics tons of famous people (notably those who "come out of nothing") and the greatest business people used to become rich and famous.

    You probably know that you use less than 10% of your brain.

    That's because the majority of your BRAINPOWER is UNCONSCIOUS.

    Perhaps that expression has even taken place INSIDE OF YOUR very own mind... as it did in my good friend Wesley Virgin's mind about 7 years back, while riding a non-registered, beat-up trash bucket of a car without a license and with $3.20 on his bank card.

    "I'm absolutely fed up with going through life paycheck to paycheck! When will I get my big break?"

    You took part in those types of thoughts, right?

    Your own success story is waiting to happen. You need to start believing in YOURSELF.

    UNLOCK YOUR SECRET BRAINPOWER

    ReplyDelete
  9. Whether you're checking out a flooring company to get the floors of your house, you ought to make sure that the staffs of the corporate are trained for this purpose.
    Portland drywall

    ReplyDelete

Share your thoughts.