The wonder of modern drywall
3 months ago
- #construction
- #architecture
- #history
- Experimenting with comments on Substack and hosting a Stripe Press pop-up event in Washington, DC.
- Dirt as a construction material: abundant but requires wood to be useful, leading to wattle-and-daub construction.
- Historical consistency in wall construction techniques, from wattle-and-daub to plaster-and-lath.
- Plaster-and-lath walls were labor-intensive, prone to defects, and difficult to modify or hang items on.
- Asbestos was a popular additive in plaster for its fire resistance, despite its toxicity.
- Modern drywall: mass-produced, uniform, and easier to work with than plaster-and-lath.
- Drywall's advantages: robust, malleable, and allows for easy hanging of items.
- Challenges with old plaster walls: difficult to locate studs, poor adhesion for modern adhesives.
- Drywall innovations: mold-resistant, fire-resistant, soundproof, and even 'smart' options with sensors.
- Architectural advancements like drywall are often invisible but significantly improve living conditions.