The Hidden Costs of Drywall for Containment
Drywall has long been a go-to material for construction projects, especially when temporary containment is necessary during renovations or phased builds. It’s familiar, widely available, and often already incorporated into contractors’ job bids. At first glance, drywall appears to be a straightforward choice for creating partitions or enclosures. However, when you look closer, some less obvious, costly drawbacks can arise, especially in sensitive environments like hospitals, labs, or server rooms.
This blog unpacks the hidden costs of drywall containment and explores why modern alternatives like Temporary Wall Systems are becoming an increasingly popular solution for contractors and businesses seeking efficiency, flexibility, and cost savings.
Why Companies Use Drywall for Containment
1. Familiarity Breeds Consistency
Many contractors lean toward drywall for a simple reason: it’s what they know. After years of incorporating drywall into job bids, it’s become a default setting in the construction industry. There’s comfort and predictability in relying on the methods and materials you’ve worked with time and again.
2. Perception of Ease and Speed
Another reason drywall remains a common choice is the assumption that it’s a fast and straightforward material for containment. Contractors may think that because the material is readily available and widely understood, it’s the simplest way to create partitions. However, this perceived ease often doesn’t take into account the challenges posed by framing and finishing drywall in temporary situations.
How Using Drywall for Containment Actually Increases Costs
While drywall may seem easier and more economical at first glance, it carries a host of hidden expenses that can quickly add up. From higher labor demands to increased waste removal, these hidden costs make drywall a less efficient choice than it initially appears.
1. Labor, Materials, and Time
Drywall installation is labor-intensive. Contractors must frame out walls, install the drywall boards, and, if needed, apply tape and mud to create a finished surface. Each of these steps adds time to the project, which equates to higher labor costs. Additionally, purchasing drywall and lumber can strain budgets, especially when you consider recent tariffs.
2. Increased Dust Abatement
Drywall construction creates significant amounts of dust during both installation and demolition. While this may be manageable in some contexts, it’s a serious issue on sensitive job sites such as hospitals, laboratories, and server rooms especially when considering drywall removal comes with the increased risk of silicosis. Specialized dust abatement solutions are often required, leading to additional expenses and time delays.
3. Challenges with Multi-Phase Renovations
For renovation projects involving multiple phases, drywall becomes even more inefficient. It is not designed to be flexible or easily reconfigured, meaning contractors have to put up and tear down new walls repeatedly throughout the project. This not only increases labor expenses but also compounds the dust and disruptions associated with drywall work.
4. Waste Removal Expenses
When drywall is torn down, it generates a significant amount of waste that must be disposed of properly. Many local dumps charge contractors for construction waste removal, adding another layer of expense. Handling and transporting this waste is labor-intensive as well, further inflating costs.
Why Temporary Wall Systems Are the Smarter Alternative
Temporary Wall Systems provide a modern, full-service alternative to traditional drywall containment. By addressing drywall’s hidden costs and inefficiencies, they offer a more streamlined, reusable, and cost-effective solution for contractors and businesses alike.
1. Turn-Key Service That Saves Time and Labor
Temporary Wall Systems simplifies the entire process by delivering, installing, and removing the walls for contractors. This turnkey service reduces the labor hours required on-site, meaning projects can begin faster and stay on schedule without the bottlenecks caused by drywall installation.
2. Flexibility for Multi-Phase Projects
Unlike drywall, Temporary Wall Systems are designed to adapt to changing project requirements. Whether you’re dealing with multi-phase renovations or unexpected change orders, these walls can be reconfigured quickly without creating dust or disruption. Contractors can easily modify the setup to meet evolving demands, saving time and avoiding costly delays.
3. Dust-Free and Clean
Temporary Wall Systems are installed and removed with minimal impact, ensuring a dust-free environment. This feature is particularly crucial for sensitive settings like healthcare facilities, research labs, or tech-focused operations where clean environments aren’t just preferred but required.
4. No Construction Waste
With Temporary Wall Systems, there’s no need for disposal or waste removal costs. The walls are reusable, meaning no excess materials are sent to the landfill. This environmentally friendly approach benefits not only contractors’ budgets but also their sustainability goals.
5. Meeting ICRA Guidelines with Ease
When used in healthcare environments, Temporary Wall Systems can be set up to meet ICRA (Infection Control Risk Assessment) standards. This ensures that patient care can continue without disruption while maintaining strict containment and cleanliness requirements.
Why Modern Solutions Matter
Construction and renovation projects demand precision, efficiency, and cost management. While drywall has long been a staple of the industry, it’s clear that its limitations outweigh its benefits in temporary containment applications. From the labor-intensive installation process to increased waste and inflexibility, drywall is not the ideal choice for forward-thinking projects.
Temporary Wall Systems, on the other hand, deliver a superior solution that aligns with modern construction needs. By streamlining labor, providing flexibility, and eliminating waste, these systems allow contractors to focus on the project itself rather than battling the inefficiencies of traditional materials.
Discover a Better Way to Build with Temporary Wall Systems
Temporary Wall Systems offers a reliable, dust-free, and hassle-free solution for containment on any job site. Whether it’s a hospital renovation or a multi-phase office build-out, our modular walls adapt to your needs, ensuring your project stays on track and within budget.
Let us take care of containment, so you can take care of your project. Get in touch with us today to explore how we can revolutionize your next build with our efficient, flexible solutions.
