The SureWalls system was developed with architects and engineers in mind.
While many disciplines in the construction industry have moved to predictable systems approaches, one area that has largely resisted change for decades [6 decades now] has been drywall installation. Particular wall assemblies may be specified, but typically, the performance of drywall installation has largely remained a "means and methods" function which basically translates to installing the drywall however you like provided the installation meets code requirements. In addition, unless code requires meeting a certain STC (sound transmission level) for particular walls, typically some type of party wall in a multi-family project, far too little thought is given to how walls perform.
As a result, what we've seen throughout the drywall specialty is inconsistency. And, inconsistency leads to something that architects, engineers and builders loathe: uncertainty. The reason for the inconsistent results stems largely from three things:
1) a lack of a specified methodology for drywall installation;
2) great variation in the skill levels and care of the installers and drywall finishers; and
3) the freedom that prescribed means and methods installation gives to wall contractors to cheapen the quality of the installation (flimsy, cheap metal corners).
While many disciplines in the construction industry have moved to predictable systems approaches, one area that has largely resisted change for decades [6 decades now] has been drywall installation. Particular wall assemblies may be specified, but typically, the performance of drywall installation has largely remained a "means and methods" function which basically translates to installing the drywall however you like provided the installation meets code requirements. In addition, unless code requires meeting a certain STC (sound transmission level) for particular walls, typically some type of party wall in a multi-family project, far too little thought is given to how walls perform.
As a result, what we've seen throughout the drywall specialty is inconsistency. And, inconsistency leads to something that architects, engineers and builders loathe: uncertainty. The reason for the inconsistent results stems largely from three things:
1) a lack of a specified methodology for drywall installation;
2) great variation in the skill levels and care of the installers and drywall finishers; and
3) the freedom that prescribed means and methods installation gives to wall contractors to cheapen the quality of the installation (flimsy, cheap metal corners).
How can you be Sure?
Enter SureWalls. The SureWalls drywall installation system was designed to provide consistency and certainty in the result by focusing on the proven best practices in the industry. How could we eliminate the chance of wavy lines in corners, both inside and outside corners? How could we make sure that drywall joints are firmly attached and airtight with no gaps? How could we make it so that an excellent wall finish could be achieved without heavy reliance on the skill level of installers and finishers? How could we better ensure the appearance and durability of outside corners which often take a beating from daily traffic? And, how could we bring greater speed and predictability to the time required to complete the job of drywall installation and finishing?
The first and only drywall installation "system"
SureWalls is the only thoroughly tested and proven drywall installation system to provide clear solutions to all the questions posed above. In developing our system we focused on 3 primary objectives:
1) improved ease and outcome (straight lines, tough corners) of wall installation and finishing;
2) superior sound attenuation, and;
3) delivering superior wall resilience with equal or better strength as compared to traditional drywall installation methods.
According to our test results as conducted by ICC Evaluation Services, a subsidiary of the International Code Council, we succeeded - perhaps over-performed - in all three areas. See ESR 4749.
Transverse Load - International Building Code requires meeting a minimum lateral load standard of 5 lbs. psf. Our profiles, tested with 5/8" drywall and 25 gauge steel studs at 24" on center, far exceeded 15 lbs. psf, by exactly how much we could not determine because the metal studs buckled and bent failing the assembly before our profiles ever gave way.
Sound Attenuation - Intertek labs tested multiple wall assemblies utilizing our profiles. In standard 2 X 4 interior wall assemblies with 5/8" drywall, studs at 24" on center and 3 1/2" fiberglass batt insulation in the wall cavities our profiles delivered STC ratings in excess of 50 with both metal and wood studs. To achieve this result with wood stud construction was especially gratifying and surprising given that wood studs are known for producing notoriously poor STC results (typically in the range of 30 to 40 STC).
Ease of Finish - With a SureWalls installation, there is no taping and mudding of joints. Our profiles form the joints. All that is required to finish walls to level 4 following a SureWalls installation is two thin coats of joint compound. Far less required joint compound means the required sanding - and resulting unhealthy dust - is drastically reduced.
1) improved ease and outcome (straight lines, tough corners) of wall installation and finishing;
2) superior sound attenuation, and;
3) delivering superior wall resilience with equal or better strength as compared to traditional drywall installation methods.
According to our test results as conducted by ICC Evaluation Services, a subsidiary of the International Code Council, we succeeded - perhaps over-performed - in all three areas. See ESR 4749.
Transverse Load - International Building Code requires meeting a minimum lateral load standard of 5 lbs. psf. Our profiles, tested with 5/8" drywall and 25 gauge steel studs at 24" on center, far exceeded 15 lbs. psf, by exactly how much we could not determine because the metal studs buckled and bent failing the assembly before our profiles ever gave way.
Sound Attenuation - Intertek labs tested multiple wall assemblies utilizing our profiles. In standard 2 X 4 interior wall assemblies with 5/8" drywall, studs at 24" on center and 3 1/2" fiberglass batt insulation in the wall cavities our profiles delivered STC ratings in excess of 50 with both metal and wood studs. To achieve this result with wood stud construction was especially gratifying and surprising given that wood studs are known for producing notoriously poor STC results (typically in the range of 30 to 40 STC).
Ease of Finish - With a SureWalls installation, there is no taping and mudding of joints. Our profiles form the joints. All that is required to finish walls to level 4 following a SureWalls installation is two thin coats of joint compound. Far less required joint compound means the required sanding - and resulting unhealthy dust - is drastically reduced.
SureWalls delivers certainty in the result
There can be no more concern over wavy lines. Corners will always be perfectly straight and perfectly uniform - formed by our profile, not reliant on a flimsy vinyl or metal corner bead and multiple layers of drywall mud. Not to mention that we are certain to deliver the most impact resistant outside corner on the market, short of installing a special corner protector. In most applications, the need for a corner protector can be eliminated.
Drywall joints will always be firmly attached and airtight. In a traditional drywall installation screws are placed at 8" or 12" intervals along the length of the drywall panel edge. Some are installed properly, but many are not. Then, tape and mud are applied over the joint to hide the voids and any potential mistakes. Alternatively, a drywall edge secured to a stud with a SureWalls profile will be attached and secured with consistent pressure along every single millimeter of its length. No chance of a gap or a void. This joint is then easily finished with just two thin coats of joint compound to deliver a perfectly flat wall surface.
An excellent, high level wall finish will not depend on who's doing the finish work. In fact, with the always consistent, easy to finish joints and corners created by our profiles, a do-it-yourselfer with nothing more than a steady hand is easily able to create a perceptibly smooth wall with very little sanding or smoothing required.
Speed and predictability in the result are SureWall's calling card. Once the drywall is installed using our profiles, the entire, messy, time-consuming step of taping and mudding joints is eliminated. The SureWalls profiles complete that step. After that, all that's left to do is to apply a couple thin coats of joint compound to finish the wall. SureWalls will reduce installation and finishing time by 1-2 days and, just as importantly, give you the peace of mind to know that the installation was done correctly, in accordance with best practices. No way to cut corners or compromise the wall strength or finish.
Drywall joints will always be firmly attached and airtight. In a traditional drywall installation screws are placed at 8" or 12" intervals along the length of the drywall panel edge. Some are installed properly, but many are not. Then, tape and mud are applied over the joint to hide the voids and any potential mistakes. Alternatively, a drywall edge secured to a stud with a SureWalls profile will be attached and secured with consistent pressure along every single millimeter of its length. No chance of a gap or a void. This joint is then easily finished with just two thin coats of joint compound to deliver a perfectly flat wall surface.
An excellent, high level wall finish will not depend on who's doing the finish work. In fact, with the always consistent, easy to finish joints and corners created by our profiles, a do-it-yourselfer with nothing more than a steady hand is easily able to create a perceptibly smooth wall with very little sanding or smoothing required.
Speed and predictability in the result are SureWall's calling card. Once the drywall is installed using our profiles, the entire, messy, time-consuming step of taping and mudding joints is eliminated. The SureWalls profiles complete that step. After that, all that's left to do is to apply a couple thin coats of joint compound to finish the wall. SureWalls will reduce installation and finishing time by 1-2 days and, just as importantly, give you the peace of mind to know that the installation was done correctly, in accordance with best practices. No way to cut corners or compromise the wall strength or finish.
Bringing Architects/Engineers and Builders Together.
We understand that there can sometimes be a natural tension between builders and architects over what architects may specify for a job. The builder may not fully understand or agree with a specification, or the builder may see the specification as costing him more money on the job due to materials and specified construction methods. This should never be the case with a specified SureWalls installation. The cost of the product should always be more than offset by savings of time, labor expense, reduced material cost and job cleanup.
SureWalls saves time and money.
Securing drywall panels to stud walls. In a traditional drywall installation how many screws are typically required to secure a standard 4' X 8' drywall panel to the stud wall given required field spacing? The answer, assuming studs placed 16" on center, would be somewhere in the range of 30 to 40 screws per panel. Contrast this with a SureWalls installation where we specify just 4 screws through the panel face (along the middle stud) based on our ICC tested and approved method of spacing studs at 24" on center and utilizing 5/8" drywall [see Evaluation Service Report - ESR 4749 from the ICC]. This installation assembly saves the builder one stud per panel (estimate $4 to $10 savings depending on stud type and current cost) plus the time to do the mud touch up on close to 30 additional screw holes in the drywall face without sacrificing wall strength and integrity.