Drylining can be used for any type of domestic or commercial project but is most commonly found in new builds. This is because it saves time compared to traditional plastering methods. It’s also incredibly versatile and can be used on concrete, blockwork, masonry and timber frames (although it cannot be used on insulating materials).
How to attach plasterboard to your room
This is known as dot and dab. To get started, use a spirit level to check the wall is level, making a note of low spots which will need more adhesive dabbing to level.
Start at the top of the room, then work your way down, using a spirit level to ensure each board is level.
Advantages of dot and dab
Dot and dab has a number of advantages over other methods. Here are some of its main benefits:
- It’s fast. You can get the ceiling or wall up in no time at all.
- It’s easy. Once you’ve got the hang of dot and dab, you’ll be able to do it yourself with relative ease – there’s no need for an expert to come in and do the work for you. If anything does go wrong on your first attempt, fixing it is also easy: just remove the old plasterboard and replace it with new one.
- It’s cheap, especially compared to other methods of plastering walls or ceilings. The materials are inexpensive, meaning that if something does go wrong you won’t end up spending as much money as if you’d used another method (such as wet plaster).
- There’s less mess involved than with traditional wet plastering techniques; this means that after finishing your project off with dot & dabbing there’ll be less cleaning up needed too.
Disadvantages of dot and dab
Some people prefer the traditional bonding and skimming method of plastering because it’s more solid. Dot and dabbed walls have a gap between the wall and the board which sounds hollow if you knock on it (like a stud wall). They’re also less durable. But the ease of installation and cost benefits often outweigh the the disadvantages for most people.