Your Guide To Dry Lining

DryliningBlog


When it comes to home insulation and decorating, dry lining provides a quick and easy way to get the job done without using wet plaster. If you’re not familiar with dry lining, you probably won’t realise just how much time you could be saving by using this method! This guide to dry lining will take you through everything you need to know before you begin.

What Is Dry Lining?

Dry lining - also referred to as ‘Dot and Dab’ or drywalling - is a technique used when applying plasterboard to brick, timber or other surfaces. Unlike traditional plaster, dry lining materials don’t require water to stick, hence the name. This doesn’t affect the performance of the insulation through - dry lining continues to deliver thermal efficiency, insulating your home without any added mess.

In more technical terms, dry lining effectively works as internal cladding, creating a smooth surface for painting or wallpapering. The reason for its increased popularity is the lack of expertise required to apply it - plastering, on the other hand, requires added expertise and precision.

Dry lining boards are made up of gypsum plasterboard, which is pressed between two thick sheets of paper. It can be used in a number of ways, from hiding pipes and wires to creating space for insulation, smoothing out uneven surfaces or making interior walls.

There are various thicknesses, lengths and sizes of plasterboard, so it’s important to choose the right type before you begin the dry lining process. You want to ensure that the plasterboard can tolerate the humidity of the room, so ensure that you choose a moisture-resistant plasterboard if you’re installing it in a humid space or an area where water penetration is a risk.

Is Dry Lining Better Than Plastering?

There are many benefits to dry lining that plastering simply cannot match:

Installation: Dry lining is generally quicker and easier to install compared to wet plaster, plus the final result weighs less. While it could take weeks to plaster a house in the traditional way, dry lining enables you to complete the same job in just a matter of days.

Cost Efficient: For those hiring contractors to do this job for them, this can drastically alter the labour costs and give you great savings over standard plastering.

Flexibility: If you renovate or redecorate your property, dry lined walls are easier to change, providing more flexibility.

Insulation: Another benefit of dry lining is that it can be used to create a thermal layer, while also helping to prevent condensation.

While both dry lining and plastering are effective methods, dry lining often provides a cheaper and simpler process. You’ll get the job done in half the time without sacrificing on quality.

Is Dry Lining Expensive

Dry lining is typically much cheaper than wet plastering, as it’s quicker to install and the materials used are often cheaper.

If you’re using good quality panels, you can expect to pay an average of £5 per panel for materials and labour costs – for a 12 x 12ft room, this would cost between £500 and £600 to dry line. This price can fluctuate depending on whether you install the dry lining yourself or if you want to hire someone to install it for you. The price can also depend on whether you plaster the panels afterwards or paint them.

What Materials are Required for Dry Lining?

To get the job done efficiently, you will need the following basic dry lining materials:

  • Plasterboard adhesive
  • Plasterboards cut to size
  • Spirit level
  • Hawk
  • Trowel

To make the job easier, check out our dry lining materials collection. We have everything you could possibly need for a smooth process.

How To Dry Line Your Walls

Firstly, double check that your dry line panels are cut to size. Ensure that you’ve measured them correctly before applying them to the wall. Mark the board length onto the wall for guaranteed precision.

To dry line your walls, you’ll first need to apply a heavy coat of PVA to the surface. This helps to create a seal, allowing your adhesive to stick to the wall. Without this sealant, you risk your panels coming away from the wall, undoing all of your hard work. While PVA isn’t always necessary to use, we highly recommend using it if you are plastering an older property.

You will then require a strong adhesive to stick the plasterboard to the wall; ensure you have a sufficient amount available so that you can be as generous as possible when applying. Apply this in blobs to your wall. Once complete, proceed to sticking your plasterboards on top, making sure that you use your spirit level to ensure a straight application. Take the most time and precision on the first board that you adhere to the wall as you will be using your level to run off the first board as you dry line the rest of the wall.

Once you are satisfied with the results and your work is dry, tape and fill in the joints. We recommend using Easi-Fill for a smooth finish. Voila!

Does Dry Lining Stop Damp?

Damp is a problem for many properties - it’s one of the most common causes of damage. With help from the correct installation, dry lining helps to prevent damp from occurring.

You can fit an ‘air gap membrane’ or ‘damp-proof membrane’ underneath your dry lining to prevent moisture from building up. An air gap membrane is a sheet with special dimples. These dimples allow air to flow freely. This stops moisture from getting trapped, which is typically the leading cause of damp and mould.

Air gap membranes are a modern solution to damp problems. These sheets work brilliantly with dry lining as you can still allow for a smooth finish when decorating without worrying about damp.

To Summarise

Dry lining brings many benefits to the table; it can make a real difference to any property. If you’re unsure whether to choose dry lining or wet plaster, remember that dry lining can help to lower costs and labour time, while delivering the same great results.

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