Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapersDrywall consists of a thin layer of gypsum between two layers of heavy paper. It is used for walls and ceilings in most buildings today because it is both faster and cheaper to install than plaster. There are two kinds of drywall workers—installers and tapers—although many workers do both types of work. Installers, also called applicators or hangers, fasten drywall panels to the inside framework of residential houses and other buildings. Tapers, or finishers, prepare these panels for painting by taping and finishing joints and imperfections. Because drywall panels are manufactured in standard sizes—usually 4 feet by 8 or 12 feet—drywall installers must measure, cut, and fit some pieces around doors and windows. They also saw or cut holes in panels for electrical outlets, air-conditioning units, and plumbing. After making these alterations, installers may glue, nail, or screw the wallboard panels to the wood or metal framework. Because drywall is heavy and cumbersome, a helper generally assists the installer in positioning and securing the panel. Workers often use a lift when placing ceiling panels. After the drywall is installed, tapers fill joints between panels with a joint compound. Using the wide, flat tip of a special trowel, they spread the compound into and along each side of the joint with brush-like strokes. They immediately use the trowel to press a paper tape—used to reinforce the drywall and to hide imperfections—into the wet compound and to smooth away excess material. Nail and screw depressions also are covered with this compound, as are imperfections caused by the installation of air-conditioning vents and other fixtures. On large projects, finishers may use automatic taping tools that apply the joint compound and tape in one step. Tapers apply second and third coats of the compound, sanding the treated areas where needed after each coat to make them as smooth as the rest of the wall surface. This results in a very smooth and almost perfect surface. Some tapers apply textured surfaces to walls and ceilings with trowels, brushes, or spray guns. Ceiling tile installers,or acoustical carpenters, apply or mount acoustical tiles or blocks, strips, or sheets of shock-absorbing materials to ceilings and walls of buildings to reduce reflection of sound or to decorate rooms. First, they measure and mark the surface according to blueprints and drawings. Then, they nail or screw moldings to the wall to support and seal the joint between the ceiling tile and the wall. Finally, they mount the tile, either by applying a cement adhesive to the back of the tile and then pressing the tile into place, or by nailing, screwing, stapling, or wire-tying the lath directly to the structural framework. Lathers also are included in this occupation. Lathers fasten metal or rockboard lath to walls, ceilings, and partitions of buildings. Lath forms the support base for plaster, fireproofing, or acoustical materials. At one time, lath was made of wooden strips. Now, lathers work mostly with wire, metal mesh, or rockboard lath. Metal lath is used where the plaster application will be exposed to weather or water or for curved or irregular surfaces for which drywall is not a practical material. Using handtools and portable power tools, lathers nail, screw, staple, or wire-tie the lath directly to the structural framework. Related news articles Construction GURUS - Oct 15, 2006 Columbus Dispatch,Delaware County. He also hand-picked the roofer, framer, excavator, drywall installer and a host of other subcontractors. Guevara ... Stage Review: Artist gives 'Macbeth' a unique foundation - Sep 21, 2006 Pittsburgh Post Gazette,...eccentric career of Steve Pellegrino, performance artist, abstract poet, accordionist, composer, entrepreneur and professional drywall installer, as I have for ... Sheriffs' Log - Sep 27, 2006 Nevada Appeal,A 29-year-old drywall installer from Carson City was arrested at 8:30 pm on Lepire Drive on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic battery. ... McCaffery: Broomall’s Brisson is putting up a fight - Sep 21, 2006 The Delaware County Times,So determined is the former drywall installer to bob into professional boxing contention and prominence that he relocated from Manitoba to Marple Township, to ... More information on Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Overview of Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers occupation Number of Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers in the U.S. Salary and earnings for Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers Working conditions for Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers Significant points for Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers Training requirements for Drywall installers, ceiling tile installers, and tapers Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new |