Estimating in Building Construction

Finishes 207

Wood Lath. Although largely displaced by the other
types of laths available, on occasion wood lath is encoun-
tered. The most commonly used size is 3/8 inch thick, 1^3 ⁄ 8
inches wide (actual), and 48 inches long spaced 3/8 inch
apart; therefore, one lath takes up the space of 1^3 ⁄ 4  48
inches. The wood lath would be taken off by the square yard,
with about 14.3 pieces required per square yard. They are
attached by nails or staples.

Gypsum Tile. Gypsum tile is a precast, kiln-dried tile
used for non-load-bearing construction and fireproofing
columns. Thicknesses available are 2 inches (solid), 3 inches
(solid or hollow), and 4 and 6 inches (hollow). The 2-inch
tile is used for fireproofing only, not for partitions. A face
size of 12 30 inches (2.5 sf ) is available. Used as a plaster
base, it provides excellent fire and sound resistance. Gypsum
tile may be taken off as part of wetwall construction or
under masonry.

Specifications. The estimator determines the type and
thickness required from the specifications, makes a list of all
clips and accessories, and decides how the gypsum tile is to
be installed.

Estimating. The number of units required must be
determined. If the square feet, squares, or square yards have
been determined, their area can be easily converted to the
number of units required. The thickness required must
be noted as well as the accessories and the amount of each
required. Resilient clips may also be used. The lath required
for the building will be included in the subcontractor’s bid,
but the estimator should check the subcontractor’s proposal
to be certain that it calls for the same lath as the contract
documents.

16–12 Accessories

The accessories available for use with wetwall construction
include various types of corner beads, control and expansion
joints, screeds, partition terminals, casing beads, and a vari-
ety of metal trim to provide neat-edged cased openings.
Metal ceiling and floor runners are also available, as are
metal bases. Resilient channels may also be used. These
accessories are sold by the linear foot, so the estimator makes
the takeoff accordingly.
A complete selection of steel clips, nails, staples, and
self-drilling screws is available to provide positive attach-
ment of the lath. Special attachment devices are available
for each particular wetwall assembly. The estimator will
have to determine the number of clips or screws required
on the project. The specifications will state the type of
attachment required and may also give fastener spacing.
The estimator may check the manufacturer’s recom-
mended fastener spacing to help determine the number of
fasteners required.
Accessories required should be included in the sub-
contractor’s bid, but the estimator should check the sub-

contractor proposal against the contract documents to

be certain that they are the same size, thickness of metal,

and finish.

16–13 DRYWALL AND

WETWALL CHECKLIST

Wetwall Drywall

lath, metal studs

furring wallboards

studs furring

channels channels

lath, gypsum tape

gypsum block paste (mud)

corner beads adhesives

accessories staples

number of coats clips

type of plaster nails

tie wire screws

molding

stucco

16–14 Flooring

Flooring may be made of wood, resilient tile or sheets, car-

peting, clay and ceramic tiles, stone, and terrazzo. Each type

has its own requirements as to types of installation, depend-

ing upon job conditions, subfloor requirements, methods of

installation, and moisture conditions.

Wood Flooring

The basic wood flooring types are strip, plank, and block.

The most widely used wood for flooring is oak. Other popu-

lar species are maple, southern pine and Douglas fir—with

beech, ash, cherry, cedar, mahogany, walnut, bamboo, and

teak also available. The flooring is available unfinished or

factory finished.

Strip flooringis flooring up to 3^1 ⁄ 4 inches wide and

comes in various lengths.Plank flooringis from 3^1 ⁄ 4 inches

to 8 inches wide with various thicknesses and lengths. The

most common thickness is 25/32 inch, but other thicknesses

are available. It may be tongue and grooved, square edged,

or splined. Flooring may be installed with nails, screws, or

mastic. When a mastic is used, the flooring used should

have a mastic recess so that the excess mastic will not be

forced to the face of the flooring. Nailed wood flooring

should be blind nailed (concealed); nail just above the

tongue with the nail at a 45 degree angle. Waste on strip

flooring may range from 15 to 40 percent, depending on the

size of the flooring used. This estimate is based on laying the

flooring straight in a rectangular room, without any pattern

involved.

Strip and plank flooring may be sold either by the

square foot or by the board foot measure. The estimator