Paperless Drywall

By Tim Carter
©1993-2009 Tim Carter

Summary: Paperless drywall is an interesting product. Unlike regular drywall, there is no paper surface. The drywall is covered in fiberglass. The fiberglass surface is highly water resistant. Paperless drywall helps reduce the spread of mold. It is mold resistant, not mold proof. Other than a slightly different surface feel, you work with it just like regular drywall.

DEAR TIM: Paperless drywall is causing me some consternation. Is it as easy to cut, install and finish as traditional drywall that has a paper facing? Why would I want to use paperless drywall? The texture of the paperless drywall is definitely rougher, and I am worried the walls and ceilings in my house will not be smooth. Would you use this paperless product in your own home? Joy B., Olive Branch, MS

DEAR JOY: The paperless drywall is a fascinating product. To me it is one of those, why-didn't-I-think-of-that products. While traditional drywall with paper facing is fine in many instances and I have it on virtually every surface of my own home, the paperless drywall solves a few pesky problems the paper-faced drywall has had for years.

Traditional drywall has a firm gypsum core that is wrapped with special paper both front and back. Not all drywall has the same paper facing. Some drywall products have colored paper facing (blue or green) that inhibits the absorption of water that might otherwise soften the gypsum core. The paperless drywall is covered both front and back with fiberglass which is naturally highly water resistant. It also comes with a moisture-resistant gypsum core. Not all traditional drywall has this type of core.

It is really hard to see, but the paperless drywall in this photo has a texture like ultra-fine steel wool. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter
It is really hard to see, but the paperless drywall in this photo has a texture like ultra-fine steel wool. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter
First and foremost, the paperless drywall was created to help minimize the spread of mold in homes. Is it mold-proof? Absolutely not. It is mold resistant simply because the fiberglass mat that replaces the paper is not a known food source for many common molds. Some molds actually feed on the paper facing of traditional drywall if the drywall becomes wet or damp and stays moist.

I have used this paperless drywall on two recent projects in my own home. Aside from the slightly rougher surface when handling it, I could tell no other difference when cutting the paperless drywall with a traditional razor knife. Drywall screws and nails penetrate the paperless drywall just like traditional drywall.

When viewed in daylight at a distance over six feet away, the surface of the paperless drywall appears nearly identical to that of traditional paper-faced drywall. But when you get closer and look at the surface of the paperless drywall, you can see and feel the fine fiberglass matting. At night when light washes down a wall from above at a low angle, the texture of the fiberglass matting is very apparent

If a rookie drywall finisher and painter work on the paperless drywall, you might see smooth polka dots where the screws and nails are covered with finishing compound in the drywall. Smooth racing strips might also be visible at corners and flat seams where joint compound and tape was used to finish the unsightly seams where two pieces of drywall touch one another.

The smooth areas are created when the creamy joint compound fills the small voids in the fiberglass matting. The filled glass matt has a very different texture than unfinished paperless drywall. This problem is easily solved if the entire surface of the paperless drywall is skim coated with drywall topping compound. There are many different methods of skim coating as well as large tools to make the job go faster.

One method, that has worked well for me, is to add some water to drywall topping compound transforming it into a thick paint. Apply the topping compound to the paperless drywall with a thick-napped paint roller, and then immediately remove it with a wide flat knife. If the humidity is low, the skim coat dries very rapidly.

It is best to skim coat the paperless drywall after it has been sanded. The skim coat offers a secondary benefit of fixing minor imperfections that might appear in the drywall finish.

The paperless drywall can be used in bathroom areas where you might expect high humidity, but not necessarily water contact. An example of this would be exposed wall surfaces above ceramic tile in tubs and showers, around vanities and toilets, etc.

The paperless drywall can be used in any other part of the home where you might otherwise use traditional drywall. It has one slight disadvantage. The drying time of finishing compounds is slightly slower. This stems from the fact that the fiberglass matt facing allows little or no water to penetrate in towards the gypsum core. When using traditional paper-faced drywall, the water found in finishing compounds can soak into the paper allowing for more-rapid drying times.



Comments:

Cory C
31 Jan 2008, 11:02
Just an update. Both USG and National Gypsum have come out with a Mold resistant wallboard that has a paper face. It is replacing the traditional water resistant wallboard. It has the same mold resistant rating as the dens shield paperless drywall which is rated as 10 (the highest). It is much easier to work with and finish than paperless drywall.
GunneyGT
27 Apr 2008, 16:58
A word of caution on the fiberglass covered drywall...Wear Long Sleeves! Skin contact with the covering is similar to working with fiberglass insulation, I tucked the sheets under my arm while carrying them into the house and wound up with a minor rash on the inside of my arm that felt like a million tiny needles whenever I rubbed it.
Krunk
25 Sep 2008, 07:40
Does mold feed on spackle?
Jim Elder
14 Nov 2008, 23:41
Need a drywall that termite resistant... meaning no celulose. Should I consider "paperless" drywall termite resistant?

Thanks
ted
21 Nov 2008, 23:56
I am handyman and last job I had asking to finishing dry walls which owner installed , I did my best but 2 side drywalls join togethers is not level also he cut and instaled on celling side by sid no place to tape seat in ...and I taped , plastered, sanded is not so perfect but is hard to see problems but the owner like to be surface of glass, what you recommended?
thank you
ted
Roger
25 Nov 2008, 13:30
Ted,

Tim talks about getting a smooth finish in this video ... http://www.askthebuilder.com/Paint_And_Drywall_Video.shtml
Shawn McClure
13 Dec 2008, 23:00
Mold will not "feed" on spackle or drywall compound. Mold will actually grow inside the drywall if it has a source of moisture. Mold does not require sunlight to grow, only moisture. This is why mold contaminates the inside of walls and why it is so dangerous. High levels of mold can create serious health concerns becuase it can also grow in your lungs and lay seige to your immune system.

To remove mold from the surface of the drywall, use a bleach and water solution. If the drywall is wet in the core, it is likely contaminated and should be replaced with a water resistant product.

Jim Elder
29 Jan 2009, 20:21
I used this drywall in a garage to reduce termite threat (only the bottom 2' of a wall). The termites like the paper backing of standard wallboard. Also had to replace studs and floor plate w/ treated lumber. Oddly, the wallboard manufacturer did not seem to know of this practice.

What are your thoughts??
Vic Ladd
06 Mar 2009, 09:55
Krunk
25 Sep 2008, 07:40
Does mold feed on spackle?

zqzsgI have just been going through my home removing alergens and dust causing items. Hospitalized with COPD-on oxygen. I was doing a kitchen re-model and placed a 1 gal bucket of joint compound in a hall closet. It was there for 2 month. Feeling better i decided to do some work. When I oened the compund it was filled with black mold. i sealed it and tossed it ASAP. I'm in Florida. Black mold capital of the world. SO my answer is yes!
Alex
24 Mar 2009, 13:29
I am planning to build a house. What is the best drywall to use? 1. Is it paperless, which causes rash from fiberglass but is resistant to mold? 2. Also, what kind of drywall should I use in bathrooms and basement?

Thanks.

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