Profile for GKL: all types, choice, cost, manufacturers

The durability of the drywall structure is determined by the strength of the frame, and it directly depends on the competent selection of components. We will figure out which profile for the GCR exists and how to choose it correctly.

The advantages of using a metal profile

Drywall is fixed in three ways:

• Kstenam on glue. Only suitable for flat surfaces without large differences.
• TO timber frame. An affordable option, but the elements of wood are afraid of microorganisms, fungi and rodents. In addition, the bars change their geometry under the influence of temperature and humidity: the structure warps, and the drywall attached to it cracks.
• To the frame from a metal profile.

Advantages of metal construction:

• The profile is made of galvanized steel, resistant to rust. She is not afraid of mold, fungus or insects. Therefore, the service life of the frame is almost unlimited.
• Unlike wood, a metal structure does not respond to changes in air humidity: its geometry remains constant.
• All the diversity of the profile is unified: having bought the desired version of one type, it is easy to choose components that are appropriate for the size.

Because of these advantages and ease of installation, craftsmen prefer to use a metal frame.

What is the profile?

We will understand the variety of metal profiles. There are two main types of application:

• Guides - are fastened around the perimeter of the structure to the walls, floor or ceiling.
• Rack - are inserted into the guides and fixed in them. Form the vertical and horizontal elements of the frame. They bear the main load: it is to them that the sheets of drywall are screwed.

At the place of use, the metal profile is:

• Wall.
• Ceiling.
• Septum.

There are also special options: corner, arched and omega profile. Consider all types of profiles for GCR in order.

Wall frame profile

For the walls you will need 2 types of metal profiles:

• guide UD (PUP);
• rack-mount CD (PP).

Guide

The parameters of the future frame are set by the guide profile, marked with the letters PNP or UD (Latin letters denote the products of Knauf). In the back of the part there are holes through which it is attached to the surface with dowel nails. If their step does not suit, then it is easy to drill new ones with a drill.

Parameters of the PNP profile:

• Length - 3 meters. If desired, longer guides can be ordered - up to 6 meters. But this part of the frame is easily assembled from separate pieces, rigidly fixed to the surface, so the length does not matter.
• The width of the base (back) is 50, 65, 75 or 100 mm.
• The height of the side, called the shelf, is 40 mm.
• The diameter of the holes in the back under the dowels is 8 mm.

Rack

The main part of the frame (racks and jumpers) is constructed from a supporting or rack profile, designated PP or CD.

• Racks should be integral, it is undesirable to build them up. Therefore, you must immediately choose the details of the required length, which varies from 2.5 to 6 meters.
• The width of the back is 40–100 mm. The racks are inserted into the rails, therefore, have dimensions that are mated with them.
• Side shelf height - 50 mm.

Profiles vary in metal thickness: in the economy class, this characteristic is 0.4 mm.

Tip: Use stiffer elements with a metal thickness of 0.55-0.6 mm.

Ceiling frame parts

When leveling ceilings or building multi-tiered structures, guides and bearing profiles are also used. They differ from wall products in size:

• Guides (PNP or UD) are available in a width of 28 mm with a length of 3,000 mm. Side shelf height - 27 mm.
• Carriers (PP or CD) are also distinguished by the presence of stiffeners. They help the profile to support the weight of the ceiling structure without deformation. The width of the back is 60 mm. The length and height of the shelf are the same as that of the rails.

Partition Profile

Products used in the installation of partitions differ in metal thickness, which is 2 mm. Strength is also added by additional stiffening ribs, which are equipped with many models.

• Guides marked UW or PN have a back width of 4.2 to 15 cm. With their help, you can create a partition of various thicknesses. The length is 2–4 meters, the shelf height is 40 mm.

• Rack profiles (CW or PS) with the same width have shelves 50 mm high. Often they have additional notches that facilitate the installation of electrical wiring or other communications. The length of these elements is 3-4 mm, if longer racks are needed, they will be made to order.

Doorways are reinforced with a reinforced profile marked UA. It is produced in lengths of 3, 4 and 6 meters. The height of the shelves is 40 mm with a back width of 50, 75 and 100 mm.

Other species

The arched profile (PAP) is intended for the formation of curved surfaces. It is convex and concave. It is created on the basis of the carrier, therefore, it coincides with it in size.

The price of the arched profile is higher than a conventional rack. For this reason, many craftsmen make fragments of the arch frame on their own, making triangular cutouts in the side shelves of guides or load-bearing elements. This step allows them to bend freely. The stronger the bend is needed, the more often the petals of the cutouts are located.

Corner profile protects plasterboard corners from damage during operation. It is mounted on a putty layer, therefore it has a perforation through which excess solution is squeezed out. The length of such elements is 3 meters; angles with sides of 25 or 31 mm are produced in width.

The omega profile owes its name to the internal section, reminiscent of the Greek letter of the same name. Its purpose is to fix on the wall panels made of laminated drywall, to which the usual methods of attaching gypsum board do not fit: they will violate the integrity of the decorative layer.

The sheets are inserted into the grooves formed by the curly planks, and securely pressed by them.

The surface formed by the laminated drywall using such fasteners is divided into separate squares or rectangles. Often this is used in the overall design of the room, for example, as in the photo below.

Selection rules

It is not enough to determine the types of profile required for installation, it is important to choose reliable products. You should not try to save on the frame: the durability of the entire drywall construction depends on its quality. In order not to worry about the quality of the metal profile, it is recommended to choose products from well-known manufacturers. Let’s have to overpay for the brand.

It is necessary to pay attention to the following features:

• The quality of steel, on which depend reliability and durability.
• Rigidity determined by the thickness of the metal and the correctness of its processing. The optimal profile thickness is at least 0.5 mm, and better - 0.55.
• Lightness of racks and guides: it will be easier to work with them.

Knauf and Gyprok products correspond to these parameters.

Knauf

Advantages of the metal profile from Knauf:

• Use of galvanized steel with a thickness of at least 0.6 mm.
• The density of the joints is achieved due to the special geometry of the elements, which eliminates the need for gaps or deformation of the shelves.
• Stiffeners increase the strength of the frame and facilitate orientation during its assembly.
• Holes with a diameter of 33 mm are provided for laying communications and fixing with dowels.

The only drawback of the products of this manufacturer is the high cost.

Gyprok

Gyprok profiles surpass Knauf products in terms of price / quality ratio.

Their advantages:

• Durability is ensured by cold hardening using the unique UltraSteel® method.
• The corrugated surface of the element is covered with the same recesses. This allows you to screw the screw without slipping into any point on the profile at the desired angle. At the same time, a “harpoon” effect is observed: it is easy to screw in a screw, and it is much more difficult to get it.

Counterfeit profiles of this manufacturer are often found in construction stores, but it is not difficult to recognize them: branded elements are distinguished by clear and symmetrical corrugation along the entire width of the part.

The conditions under which the metal profile was stored are also important. Despite its resistance to corrosion, it is not allowed to store it in the open. Elements should not have scratches and scratches that violate the integrity of the galvanized layer. It is better to take products in their original packaging.

Price profile of different types

The approximate cost of standard profiles 3 meters long from Knauf and Giprok is indicated in the table. Please note: the sizes of some elements from different manufacturers are different.

Profile Type Knauf	price, rub.	Gyprok Profile Type	price, rub.
Rack ceiling PP 28 × 27	95	Rack ceiling PP 28 × 27	113
Rack wall PP 60 × 27	135	Rack wall PP 60 × 27	148
Ceiling guide PNP 28 × 27	100	Ceiling guide PNP 28 × 27	113
Guide Mon 50 × 40	183	Guide Mon 50 × 37	155
Guide Mon 75 × 40	239	Guide Mon 75 × 37	230
Guide Mon 100 × 40	281	Guide Mon 100 × 37	240
Rack PS 50 × 50	193	Rack PS 50 × 40	184
Rack PS 75 × 50	210	Rack PS 75 × 40	162
Rack PS 100 × 50	235	Rack PS 100 × 40	230

In conclusion, we recall that for the construction of the frame for drywall, in addition to the metal profile, other component parts - fasteners, connectors and suspensions. Details on the types of screws and a calculator for calculating their number are in this article.