Can Metal Walls Reduce Cracking Issues Common in Drywall?

Drywall assemblies are prone to cracking at taped joints when buildings settle or experience temperature and humidity fluctuations. The differential expansion between wood or metal studs and gypsum panels often stresses joints, leading to unsightly hairline cracks that require ongoing corrective maintenance. Aluminum panel systems, however, are designed with flexible clip connections and engineered joint gaps that accommodate building movements without stress concentration. Rigid metal panels flex slightly under load and return to their original shape, preserving seam integrity.

Factory-controlled tolerances ensure uniform panel dimensions and consistent joint spacing, reducing installation errors that can precipitate cracking. Additionally, aluminum does not absorb moisture and swell like gypsum, eliminating a primary driver of joint stress. Where heavy equipment or vibrations occur—such as near escalators or mechanical rooms—metal walls resist the propagation of micro-cracks. By selecting aluminum walls with tested movement joints, architects and owners eliminate a chronic source of maintenance headaches, ensuring smooth, crack-free surfaces over decades.