Sponsored by USG
The drywall process on today’s jobsites looks very different than 20 years ago. While tape, mud, and sanding are still important to the process, the way the work gets done has evolved. The tools work better, as do the materials. But the biggest change may just be how contractors and manufacturers are now working together to solve real jobsite challenges and improve the project outcomes, especially in drywall finishing and interior wall systems on commercial construction projects.
Field-Driven Improvements Shaping Productivity and Quality
At California-based DPR Construction, progress has been shaped by people in the field and partners who listen to them. With more than 20 years of experience, DPR Taping Superintendent Kory House says changes have made a real difference. Where crews once sanded manually, they now use vacuum-assisted and oscillating tools. Today there are more ways to apply mud than just pans and knives. Crews also use spraying and rolling systems. These changes go beyond the appearance of the finished product; they directly affect productivity, quality, and the physical toll on labor.
Why Material Performance Matters in California’s Climate
While those advancements make a difference on a job site, it takes more than tools to keep a project on schedule. Materials matter just as much. “Out here in California, moisture during the winter really affects drying time,” House said. “If we can get material to dry faster and shrink less, it helps us keep the schedule moving.”
Managing drying time in California’s climate is a constant challenge on drywall projects. That’s where DPR’s partnership with USG has made a difference, according to Noe Alonzo, USG contractor specialty representative. “We like to tailor our products to their needs in the field, and … value their feedback from their tapers, which in turn helps us create better products.”
The partnership is successful because the feedback comes straight from the crews putting the material on the wall. Tapers see how a compound works: how many coats are needed, how it sands, how it shrinks, and how it holds up when humidity changes, and then they share that information.
Alonzo added, “One thing I really like about DPR is how particular they are about their finishes. That feedback helps us keep really high-quality products in the field.” In fact, USG is currently working on a new compound formulation with a shorter drying time and reduced shrinkage based on the feedback received from DPR.
The Value of Single-Source Drywall Systems
Another advantage of their partnership is consistency. “When a company like DPR uses a single-source system, it makes support in the field much more efficient,” Alonzo explained. “If there’s an issue, we’re the first call, and we can solve it quickly.” By using a single-source manufacturing approach for drywall systems, everything from sheathing and wallboard to compounds, tape, and sealants, projects become easier to manage. One company owns the system, and one technical team supports it.
Keeping Inspections and Schedules on Track
Reliable processes like that matter in areas where inspection requirements are demanding, such as the case in California. When finishing processes move faster and perform more consistently, inspections clear sooner, and schedules stay intact. USG’s ability to provide on-site technical support helps teams solve problems quickly instead of stalling progress.
Sound control and acoustics are another area seeing rapid growth. As owner and occupant comfort expectations rise, so does the need for systems that perform in the field. Having manufacturer experts available to support testing, assemblies, and installation methods helps contractors meet those requirements without reinventing the wheel on every project.
Building Trust Between the Field and Manufacturer
At the core of all this is trust. DPR gives its field teams the freedom to test materials, adjust mixes, and share honest feedback. USG listens, responds, and invests in improving what gets put on the wall. That collaboration and chemistry develops through long-term relationships and a shared goal of making construction better.
For House and his team, the focus is simple: keep the schedule moving without cutting corners. New tools, better materials, and strong partnerships make that possible. As the work keeps changing, the teams that work closely with manufacturers are the ones moving jobs forward.
