Drywall & Durock Installation in Puerto Vallarta
Drywall (tablaroca) has become the go-to system for interior partitions, ceilings, and design features across Puerto Vallarta — and for good reason. It installs three to four times faster than traditional masonry block walls, enables creative shapes and architectural details impossible in block, offers better acoustic performance with the right core specifications, and produces a perfectly flat surface ideal for painting. PVR Contractors installs drywall and Durock cement board systems to professional commercial standards in residential and commercial properties throughout the Banderas Bay area.
Drywall Services
Interior Partition Walls
Metal stud framing with drywall sheathing on both sides creates fast, clean, straight partition walls. We use 89 mm (3½") studs at 40 cm spacing for standard partitions and upgrade to 92 mm studs with sound batt insulation for bedroom and bathroom privacy walls. All framing is plumb, level, and secured at top and bottom tracks — essential for a flat, crack-free finished wall.
For double-layer acoustic walls (excellent for home theaters, master bedrooms in vacation rentals, or conference rooms), we install two layers of 13 mm drywall with staggered joints and acoustic sealant at perimeter. This configuration achieves STC 45–55 ratings — significantly better than standard masonry block for sound privacy.
Drop Ceilings & Soffits
Suspended drywall ceilings serve multiple purposes in Puerto Vallarta properties: concealing structural beams, AC ducts, and electrical conduit; creating cove lighting recesses; lowering ceiling height in tall spaces for better AC efficiency; and adding architectural interest with coffers and coffered ceilings. Our suspended ceiling work is fully laser-leveled to ensure a perfectly flat plane with no visible sags or high spots.
We coordinate suspended ceiling installation with our electrical team to pre-plan all lighting positions, speaker locations, and AC supply/return grille positions before framing — preventing the costly mistakes of cutting into finished ceilings to add missed elements.
Curved Walls & Architectural Details
Drywall's flexibility is one of its key advantages over masonry. We create curved walls and arches by kerfing (making parallel cuts) in the drywall back face, allowing it to follow curved metal framing. Tray ceilings, barrel vault ceilings, and organic flowing shapes that would be prohibitively expensive in concrete or masonry are achievable in drywall at reasonable cost. These distinctive design features make vacation rental properties truly stand out in listing photos.
Acoustic & Specialty Applications
- Home theater soundproofing: Mass-loaded vinyl + double drywall + decoupled framing
- Closet & wardrobe enclosures: Built-in wardrobe systems framed in steel stud
- Column wraps: Concealing structural concrete columns with square or round drywall enclosures
- Bulkheads & valances: Above kitchen cabinets, windows, and ceiling transitions
Durock Cement Board Services
Regular drywall cannot be used in wet areas — it absorbs moisture, loses structural integrity, and supports mold growth. Durock (and equivalent cement board products like HardieBacker and Wonder Board) is a cementitious panel product that is completely impervious to water. It is mandatory in our installation process for any tiled wet area:
- Shower walls and floors: Durock substrate with waterproof membrane before tile — see our waterproofing page
- Bathtub surrounds: Full cement board sheathing from tub ledge to ceiling in splash zone
- Kitchen backsplash areas: Cement board backing for tile adjacent to cooking surfaces
- Laundry areas: Moisture-resistant backing for tiled or stone laundry room surfaces
- Exterior fiber cement cladding: HardiePlank or similar panels for exterior wall finishes requiring a flat panel look
Finishing Levels — Getting the Surface Right
Drywall finishing is where skill truly shows. We follow the industry-standard five-level finishing system:
- Level 3: Taped joints and corners, one coat of compound — suitable for heavy texture applications
- Level 4: Standard for most painted wall applications — two coats of compound, sanded smooth
- Level 5: Skim coat over entire surface — required for flat/eggshell paint in high-light areas. This is our standard for premium spaces and is what distinguishes professional work from "good enough."
We always prime before finish paint — an essential step many contractors skip that dramatically affects paint adhesion and uniformity. Skipping primer shows as dark patches, roller texture differences, and premature paint wear — visible signs of unprofessional work.
Drywall Installation Costs in Puerto Vallarta
- Interior partition wall (metal stud + drywall both sides, taped & finished): $28–42 USD/m²
- Suspended flat ceiling (metal grid + drywall, Level 4 finish): $32–50 USD/m²
- Durock wet area installation (with waterproof membrane): $40–65 USD/m²
- Level 5 skim coat over existing surfaces: $12–20 USD/m²
Request a free on-site estimate for your specific project. We provide clear scope descriptions and no-surprise pricing.