DRYWALL JOINT FINISHING - PRODUCTIVITY AND ERGONOMICS

Gypsum drywall panels are used extensively for wall cladding and struc tural fireproofing. Most interior building walls are of sufficient len gth and width to require at least two panels of drywall for complete c overage. Generally speaking, in residential construction, boards are p laced horizontally (perpendicular to studs), and in commercial constru ction, boards are placed vertically (parallel to studs). This paper an alyzes the effect of drywall panel and joint orientation on joint fini shing operations. Productivity comparisons are made by investigating t he total quantity of joint produced, productivity rates for various ty pes of horizontal and vertical joints, and total time required to fini sh the joints. For typical residential applications, horizontal joints require less time to finish. For many commercial applications, vertic al joints require less time to finish. However, there are many excepti ons. Contractors and designers can save time and money by selecting th e proper orientation. The locations of the joints on the wall also aff ects the motions and positions the craft worker must endure to complet e the work. Professional finishers prefer horizontal joints because th ey greatly reduce the ergonomic stresses associated with bending down and reaching overhead.