Accessories for the installation of drywall: assemble the ceiling and walls

Installation of drywall sheets is most often done on the frame. Accessories for drywall - this is all those elements that are needed to assemble the frame structure: profiles that form its basis, connecting elements, fasteners necessary for fixing parts of the frame and installation GKL. It is important to choose the right drywall and accessories to create a reliable design.

Profile Types

The skeleton of the frame for drywall is made up of profiles made of galvanized steel sheet. The frame is simple - racks mounted in rails. Structures are ceiling and partition, and for each of them the corresponding metal profiles are used. Depending on the methods of connecting the elements, different versions of partitions, suspended ceilings, wall finishes, baskets and niches are created.

Existing varieties of profiles:

1. PNP (UD) - ceiling guide or starting. Creates a base and aligns the frame, fastens around the perimeter of the room. The “Knauf” marking is indicated in parentheses.
2. PP (CD) - bearing (rack) ceiling. Creates a holistic frame structure. It is also used for wall cladding. Racks are designed for the installation of drywall.
3. PN (UW) - a directing (starting) profile for partitions. It is the basis for installing the frame. It is attached to the ceiling and to the floor.
4. PS (CW) - rack-mount for partitions and wall cladding. It is selected in length to the height of the room.
5. PU (UA) - reinforced to create durable structures.
6. PA (CD) - arched, for structures where there are bends. The profile is weakened for greater flexibility.
7. PU - angular profile, has a small thickness, increases the strength of the corners and evens them out.

The metal thickness is 0.4–0.8 mm. The necessary strength of the frame is achieved when using elements with a thickness of 0.55 mm or more. Too thin racks are not sufficiently rigid and self-tapping screws do not hold well in them.

The length of the products is 2.75–4 m. The standard dimensions of the profiles make it possible to create frames for structures made of gypsum plaster with virtually no waste.

Additional items

GKL accessories also include suspensions and a variety of connectors, screws and dowels. The following auxiliary elements apply.

1. Direct suspension for CD. The part is attached to the ceiling or wall with screws or dowels. The suspension is bent with the letter "P". The product length is 7.5, 12.5 and 30 cm.
2. A two-level connector ("butterfly") is used to mount the CD to each other crosswise. The part is bent with the letter “P” and fastened with metal screws to the profiles, one at the edges.
3. Connector single-level ("crab") serves for fixing profiles at the same level. With a load of up to 20 kg, self-tapping screws are not needed for fastening: just snap the connector.
4. The extension cord is used to build CD. It is inserted from the end inside and fastened with two screws.
5. The corner connector provides a T-shaped connection at the same level as a “crab”.

Homemade pendants and connectors

From the remaining trimmings, you can make connecting elements that are not inferior to or even superior in strength to standard fittings. You can do the manufacture of suspensions with your own hands from the ceiling profile as follows.

1. "Boot". A piece of a suitable size is taken and the sides are cut off from it. It is folded at a right angle and cut through, getting a hard corner called a boot. If you install 2 of these devices close to each other on the ceiling, you get a very durable suspension for software.
2. At a large distance from the overlap, the profile is bent, giving it a U-shaped shape. The suspension is fixed with the sole to the ceiling, and the lower ears to the profile.
3. Part of the backrest at the profile piece is cut out, after which the sidewalls are unbent and fixed on the dowels to the ceiling, and the lower part - to the PP.

The presented options for homemade suspensions are much more reliable than wire suspensions that hold the suspended ceiling with only two curved spring shelves. The connection slips from the action of the load, and it is often impossible to make repeated adjustments, since the structures are not separable.

When the number of connections is small, there are not enough connectors, you can replace the crabs with a home-made design. For this, the profile is taken 10 cm longer. Longitudinal slots are made in the bar, after which the edges are bent to the sides and fixed to another profile with self-tapping screws. In order to facilitate the work, holes are bored in advance in bent strips.

To obtain long products, profiles are expanded by inserting PS pieces inside and connecting with self-tapping screws. So that they fit in size, you should slightly tighten the shelf.

If metal profiles and waste are optimally used, the price of materials will be reduced, and the quality of the structure will not deteriorate at all.

GKL fasteners

Frame elements are fastened together by drilling (LB) or piercing (LN) metal screws ("bugs"). The length of the shortest self-tapping screw is 9 mm. It is difficult to twist, and the cap prevents the GKL from fitting to the profile.

Drywall is usually attached to the frame with TN-type screws 25 mm long. A length of 35–40 mm is taken if the sheathing is done in several layers.

For fastening the guides to the wall, nylon dowels with self-tapping screws, dowel nails are used.

Manufacturers

The leader in the market of building materials, manufacturing drywall and components, is the German company Knauf. In many cities of Russia, factories have been built that produce products using the Knauf technology: Knauf profile and accessories for Knauf profile. Recently, domestic products have appeared, not inferior in quality to imported ones and winning in cost, for example, the Petrovich brand. Profile production has been mastered at almost all leading metallurgical enterprises in Russia.

A few tips for choosing components

When choosing a metal profile, you need to pay attention to the following points:

• The metal must be of sufficient thickness, the profile must have accurate dimensions.
• There should be no rust on the product.
• Excessive grease on the profile may mask poor coverage.
• Elements of the future frame should not be deformed, there should be no burrs on them.

Conclusion

The strength, durability and appearance of the structure depend on how correctly selected drywall and components.