Temporary Wall Systems: Moving Beyond Drywall's 'Hidden Costs'

For Project and Facilities Managers, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and minimal disruption are critical to the success of renovation projects. Traditional drywall, while familiar, increasingly is being recognized for its hidden costs and inefficiencies.

Our recent webinar, Rejecting Drywall’s Hidden Costs: Advancing Temporary Containment, highlighted how STARC’s innovative solutions outshine drywall in four key areas: Budgets & Timelines, Customer Experience, Jobsite Safety & Security, and Sustainability.

Budgets & Timelines

Traditional drywall installations are labor-intensive and time-consuming, often requiring large crews and multiple days to complete. As our panelists noted, installing 400 linear feet of 10-foot-tall drywall can take up to 224 hours and involves extensive materials and tools. In contrast, STARC’s high-quality reusable temporary wall systems significantly reduce labor costs and time, completing the same installation in just 16 hours with fewer materials and simpler tools.

Reusable containment walls offer lower bid costs since they are not discarded after each project phase. They can be moved and reused, reducing the need for new materials and minimizing overall project costs. The economics of reusability make STARC walls a strategic choice for project managers and contractors, leading to substantial savings over time.

Customer Experience

The impact of construction on the customer experience, particularly in sensitive environments like healthcare facilities and airports, is profound. Traditional drywall installations are noisy and disruptive, affecting patients, staff, and travelers alike. This webinar sheds light on how reusable temporary wall systems dramatically reduce noise by up to 50%, creating a quieter, more pleasant environment.

Reusable walls also provide a professional appearance, seamlessly blending into existing environments. Unlike drywall, which often looks temporary and unsightly, STARC walls maintain the aesthetic integrity of the space, reducing anxiety and improving the overall experience for building occupants and visitors. They also support the application of graphics, which is important in settings where foot traffic needs to be temporarily redirected.

Jobsite Safety & Security

Safety is a top concern during renovations, and traditional drywall methods pose significant challenges. The installation and deconstruction of drywall can spread dust and debris, compromising air quality and infection control in healthcare settings. During this presentation, one of the panelists emphasized that STARC’s solutions exceed ICRA Class IV and V requirements, ensuring superior infection prevention.

Reusable containment walls also offer a safer alternative with their easy-to-clean surfaces and minimal dust generation. For example, all of STARC’s temporary wall systems comply with stringent fire safety standards like ASTM E84, E119, and NFPA 241, providing reliable protection for both building occupants and workers. This enhances compliance with building codes and reduces the risk of accidents on the jobsite.

Sustainability

The environmental impact of traditional drywall is considerable, with millions of tons of gypsum waste ending up in landfills each year, according to all three panelists. STARC’s reusable wall systems, however, contribute to sustainability by significantly reducing construction waste and CO2 emissions. Every 100 feet of conventional drywall creates up to one ton of landfill waste, whereas STARC’s solutions are designed for repeated use, drastically lowering this footprint.

Manufactured using 100% renewable energy, STARC’s products are also 95% recyclable by weight, further aligning with green building goals. Adopting reusable containment walls supports sustainability initiatives, helping organizations achieve their environmental objectives while maintaining high standards of performance.

Conclusion

The insights gleaned from Rejecting Drywall’s Hidden Costs: Advancing Temporary Containment underscore the benefits of shifting from traditional drywall to the more innovative temporary containment solutions offered by STARC. By improving budgets and timelines, enhancing customer experience, ensuring jobsite safety and security, and enabling sustainability, STARC’s reusable walls are setting a new standard in the industry.

To learn how STARC can transform your next renovation project, contact us today.