How to cut gypsum fiber sheets: how to cut gypsum fiber at home

When decorating, often use gypsum fiber sheet, or GVL. This material was created much later than drywall, so it did not win such wide popularity as GKL. However, thanks to the special composition, these plates have outstanding strength and fire-fighting characteristics with indicators much higher than that of drywall. Therefore, GVL is indispensable for the installation of bulk floors, rough finishing of walls and ceilings, as well as for the construction of all kinds of boxes. The only question that arises when working with this building material is how to cut the GWL from Knauf.

GVL Benefits

To answer our question, we need to figure out what constitutes this material. Gypsum fiber sheets, like drywall, are made from gypsum. But the similarity ends here. The main features of GVL are:

1. Reinforcement with dissolved pulp.
2. Complete homogeneity of the material.
3. Lack of coverage from above.
4. Incombustibility.
5. High density.

Many manufacturers are engaged in the production of this building material, but the most popular is the GVL manufactured by the Knauf company under the name Superlist. If we continue the comparison of gypsum fiber with drywall of the same company, we see that they ideally complement each other. And the use of these materials during finishing works at the same time will only be beneficial for repair.

Despite the fact that any box can be made from GVL, and the walls will be strong and fireproof, nevertheless, this material cannot be bent like drywall. So, for the installation of complex structures with rounded shapes, it will not work.

But on the floor, in dry screeds with expanded clay (KNAUF-super-floor technology), gypsum-fiber sheets are unparalleled. Their use in the construction of the subfloor will give guaranteed positive results. Double-glued floor elements GVLV with a total thickness of 20 mm, have the following useful properties:

• They do not break.
• Do not miss the cold.
• Create a perfectly flat surface.
• Moisture-resistant gypsum boards withstand moisture up to 70%.

Tools required for working with GVL

Many who independently prepared for installation and installed drywall, mistakenly believe that they work in the same way with GVL. But here they are waiting for an unpleasant surprise. Gypsum fiber sheets with all their strength properties, when you take them on a break, turn out to be brittle and easily break. By the way, therefore, it is impossible to bend them, like drywall.

Tools for cutting gypsum sheets at home:

• A sharp construction knife with a thickness of 12 mm or more. The blades will often need to be changed, as they quickly blunt.
• A special hacksaw for GCR, which can be used to cut this material almost without dust.

Some craftsmen argue that it is convenient to cut GVL with a special cutter, which shoemakers use.

• A grinder or circular saw is used only in a well-ventilated area and provided that the end justifies the means. This is the fastest way and at the same time very dusty. If you decide to choose this tool, you will have to stock up on respiratory and eye protection.
• Perfect jigsaw with a built-in vacuum cleaner, if you install a wood file with a tooth pitch of 4 mm. But there will still be a lot of dust, so work should be done with goggles and a respirator.

Gypsum Cutting Process

With any method of cutting, you should be careful and careful when handling gypsum boards. If for work it was decided to use cutters or a special hacksaw, then you need to proceed as follows:

• On the GVL sheet, we make the necessary markup.
• We apply a flat rail to the marking line. You can also use the rule.
• We carry out the knife as many times as necessary so that the depth of cut is at least 2/3 of the sheet thickness.
• We put the rail under the cut line.
• With a sharp upward movement we gently break.

Before cutting, it is better to additionally watch a video on how to properly cut the sheet.

GVL has smooth edge edges and there are usually no problems with joining. But if for a number of reasons there is a need for a slight fit, then a peeling planer is suitable for this purpose.

But the fold is most convenient to do with a boot knife-cutter or a chisel. With a large volume, you can use the router. A 3-4 mm groove cutter will allow you to perform the necessary work in 2-3 passes.