I was fortunate enough to attend the Specialties of the Drywall Trade Instructor Seminar held from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3 at the IUPAT facility in Baltimore. It was obvious that a lot of planning went into setting up this building, with classrooms on the upper level and a lower level that is wide open, allowing plenty of room for the attendees to hone their skills on miles of drywall.

We had dodged more than one nor’easter up to that point, and were enjoying the effects of global warming, so when a friendly competition between three friends materialized into the Rock-Off for Michael’s Way, weather was not even a consideration.

By always being willing to do work that was specialized and making sure that it was done right, I kept busy. I have suggested this idea in previous articles. And when I hear guys complaining that they can’t compete against the 30-man crews, I wonder if they have considered doing specialized work.

Everyone who grinds it out day after day in the construction trenches, has at least one story of “stupidity unbecoming a human.” Some stories have tragic endings, while others generate belly laughs for years to come.

In May 2000 some of the features and benefits of building with steel were discussed in an AID article co-written with my old pal Bill entitled “Life After Wood: Steel Studs on the Rise.” Like anything else, along with the benefits there are challenges.

When times are good, people become complacent. Riding in gas guzzling land-yachts and dwelling in cavernous McMansions tends to dull the senses and lulls people into a false sense of security. The scale that was once used to measure the distance between wants and needs became dangerously off-kilter.

I once witnessed a contractor mixing red chalk into a bucket of mud, and when I inquired what he was doing, he responded, “I’m making firestop.”

Well folks, it’s been awhile since I have felt whole enough to pen anything meaningful for these pages. The economic issues surrounding the collapse of the construction industry that is such a big part of my life and yours made anything that I may have had to say seem meaningless. After much soul searching and a little prodding from John Wyatt, I have decided to end my self-imposed exile from these pages. 

The preceding is the beginning of a song performed by Styx that was a hit in the ’80s. It describes the trials and tribulations that many people faced during that time by misusing a certain illegal white substance.

As some of you know, I grew up in a little town in northwestern Nebraska. Chadron was your stereotypical Andy-of-Mayberry town with only one stoplight and still only has one to this day. Frankly, it was a great place for a kid to grow up.

Over the past three decades I have met all sorts of Drywall Dogs.

Diversified Fall Protection has appointed Gabe Galvan as EBM design director. Galvan will play a key role in leveraging the company’s newly acquired California Scaffold Inspection and Testing license. This license permits DFP to offer inspection, testing and design services related to exterior building maintenance and other equipment within California.

MARSHALLTOWN held a ground-breaking ceremony on Oct. 23 at its new distribution center site in Kansas City, Kansas. The state-of-the-art facility will be a key hub in the company’s nationwide logistics network, with operations scheduled to begin in the fall of 2025.

Passive fire protection is an essential aspect of gypsum construction. Gypsum firewalls of various types (shaft walls, simple partitions, etc.) prevent fire from spreading without relying on mechanical means of control, such as sprinkling.

Every three years, in alignment with the building code cycle, the Gypsum Association issues new editions of the Association’s three code-referenced publications: GA-600 Fire Resistance and Sound Control Design Manual, GA-216 Application and Finishing of Gypsum Panel Products, and GA-253 Application of Gypsum Sheathing.

Modular building concepts—also known as off-site construction—have been utilized for decades. However, the use of pre-fabrication and modular building techniques is increasingly common now. 

What impact does insulation have on acoustic performance of a wall assembly?

I often see gypsum board installed using a combination of nails and screws, and I’ve always assumed this practice is acceptable. However, one of my superiors recently questioned the practice. Is combining nails and screws acceptable?

What is the difference between fire resistance ratings and flame-spread ratings? Can they be used interchangeably?

This summer, I am undertaking a total bathroom remodel. I’m planning to tile the walls around the vanity and toilet, as well as those surrounding the shower. Mold has been a persistent problem in this room.

The American Concrete Institute is excited to host the ACI Concrete Convention on Nov. 3-6 in Philadelphia. Known as the world’s gathering place for advancing concrete, the convention will take place at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.

How to make your plaster have a shiny look.

Barricade Building Products announced that its products will now be available at all Building Products Inc. locations throughout the Midwest. The expansion allows customers in the region to easily access Barricade’s comprehensive range of high-quality building materials, ensuring their projects are safeguarded from the ground up.

One product that can help save time and money and reduce waste

Save time with Plastic Components’ non-rusting continuous insulation trims. They improve job quality and deliver a better finish.

 The Glenwood Regional Medical Center in West Monroe, La., strives to maintain a first-class medical facility, both in terms of patient case and overall appearance.  

With the introduction of Tectum DesignArt– Lines Finale PB ceiling and wall panels, Armstrong World Industries offers architects and designers an opportunity to deliver unique visuals created by panels providing excellent sound absorption.

The FWCCA invites you to participate at its Jan. 30-31 Executive Conference, which is taking place at the OMNI Champion Gate Resort. The FWCCA is searching for individuals who have informative, educational, technical and/or business programming that are willing to share with FWCCA members.

In a recent build, we used several designs found in GA-600 (Fire Resistance and Sound Control Design Manual). We selected designs shown to have STC ratings of 50 to 54.

Walls & Ceilings names the second winner of its annual Leadership Award.

An explanation of a few "whys" of EIFS installation.

It’s No Secret That Global Temperature Has Been Increasing And Increasing, And Eifs And Stucco Claddings Are Inherent To Solving This Problem. 

Knight Wall Systems announced Jan. 25 that it has partnered with design software development company RIB to create a new specification section for cladding support systems within RIB’s SpecLink building specification platform.

EIMA is calling for entries for the prestigious 2024 EIFS Excellence Awards. Formerly known as the EIFS Hero Awards, this esteemed program shines a spotlight on the remarkable EIFS industry projects across a variety of building categories.

As my experiences have shown, you run the risk of being seriously misled if you don't

A Utah drywall contractor is suing a developer for work it completed at The Austin Townhomes in Draper, Utah, in May 2023, reported Luke Garrott of Building Salt Lake.

For many years, the Gypsum Association has published several technical documents in Spanish, as well as English. Are there plans to introduce Spanish-language offerings to the GA’s YouTube channel?

This September, South Valley Drywall held its 29th Annual Customer Appreciation Golf Tournament for 160 of its valued customers and trade partners at Omni Interlocken Golf Club in Colorado. For the event, it partnered with National Sports Center for the Disabled and raised more than $18,000.

The owners of Evolution Drywall Inc. in Palm Coast, Florida, were charged with insurance fraud and organized fraud in 2018 but were cleared a year later, reported Ray Boone of Palm Coast Observer. A judge ruled that no restitution needed to be made.

The QuickSpan Locking Drywall Grid System from Certainteed Gypsum is an innovative ceiling grid system that provides the industry’s longest unsupported spans for flat drywall. It’s engineered and designed for quick, easy installation of spans for drywall ceilings in hallways and corridors.

There is a lot of confusion in the field over area-separation firewalls and utility placement. I know that the GA has a position statement that clarifies criteria for the placement of utilities in the flanking walls on either side of a two-hour, steel H-stud, gypsum shaftliner panel area-separation wall.

JB Insulation & Drywall LLC of Oakland, New Jersey, recently met W&C at this year’s ICAA Annual Convention & Trade Show. Its owner, Jonathan Belanus, took time to speak with the magazine on how business is, the market and more.

The ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia upholds the lower permissible exposure limit in OSHA’s updated silica rule. Supporters of the rule call the court’s decision a “huge victory” for workers, while opponents say it disregards “legitimate concerns.”

Washington — Alarmed by a recent spike in cases of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis, a deadly but preventable condition commonly known as black lung, union presidents Cecil Roberts of the United Mine Workers of America and Leo Gerard of United Steelworkers have sent a letter to Mine Safety and Health Administration leader David Zatezalo requesting stricter regulation of respirable silica dust.

Washington — The COVID-19 pandemic has “exacerbated” the challenges for OSHA and the Mine Safety and Health Administration to use their resources to protect the safety and health of workers, according to the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General.

Washington — Five Senate Democrats are imploring the Mine Safety and Health Administration to lower its exposure limit for crystalline silica – a carcinogen found in sand, stone and artificial stone.

Washington – OSHA’s scaled-back enforcement efforts on silica exposure during a recent two-year period left more workers at risk, according to a Department of Labor Office of Inspector General audit report released Sept. 29.

The health hazards of respirable crystalline silica have been in the spotlight in mining, manufacturing and other industries. So, what is it – and what can be done to reduce worker exposure?

The government has earmarked four areas for spending until 2028

Not every story has happy roots. One family recounts how a tragedy inspired them to push on.