Install and Finish Drywall: 9 Secrets to an Effortless Install
- 1. Cut through the good side to save time ...
- 2. Trim drywall in place when possible ...
- 3. Cut openings after hanging the sheet ...
- 4. Cut short to ensure the sheet will fit ...
- 5. Before hanging, mark for electrical boxes, light fixtures, and framing ...
- 6. Use adjustable benches to work at the right height ...
- 7. Use the drywall as an air barrier ...
Full Answer
How to hang drywall on walls fast like the pros?
Double-check the end of the drywall makes it to the center of the strapping piece or joist.
- Measure to the center of the farthest support piece the drywall gets to and transfer that measurement to the drywall.
- Place a T-square along the line in your drywall and run a razor along that straight line created by the T-square.
- Break the end piece off from the scoring line.
What are some tips for hanging drywall?
- To estimate the number of 4-by-8-foot sheets needed, calculate the total square footage of walls and ceilings and divide by 32. ...
- Check that electrical cables are protected from screws or nails. ...
- Plan ceiling-panel layout so seams are at least 8 inches away from light-fixture boxes. ...
- Stockpile sheets of drywall on edge in an adjacent room.
What is the average price to hang drywall?
The labor cost to hang and finish drywall is $2.00 to $3.50 per square foot. The national average cost to install drywall is between $1,700 and $3,700, with most homeowners spending around $2,200 on 1,000 sq.ft. of standard ½” drywall, hung and finished in a remodel.
How to hang drywall on walls by yourself?
- Use a Drywall Screw Setter Bit to easily set drywall screws at the perfect depth.
- You can u se partially set framing nails, or similar, to hold drywall up while you screw it in place.
- Start by hanging drywall horizontally from the ceiling. ...
- Hang the drywall all the way across the wall before moving to the next row beneath it.
How fast can you install drywall?
With drywall, it takes a fraction of the time. Two pros can typically cover a 12-by-16-foot room in about an hour. To work that fast takes practice and a few specialized tools.
How much drywall can you hang in a day?
A sheet of regular 1/2-in. drywall thickness weights about 60 pounds. The new lightweight drywall weighs about 41 pounds. A drywall hanger can hang an average of 60 4×8 sheets a day.
How do you hang drywall easily?
1:246:30How to Hang Drywall - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipFor the bottom row hold the panel in place using foot lift to keep it a half inch off the floor. AndMoreFor the bottom row hold the panel in place using foot lift to keep it a half inch off the floor. And tack some nails in to hold it hang the next panel. And drive in all the screws.
What should you not do when hanging drywall?
5 common drywall installation mistakes and how to avoid themDriving screws too deep. ... Joints are too tight. ... Fastening before trimming. ... Placing joints next to doors and windows. ... Having too many joints. ... Kick off your next project at Al's.
How long does it take to drywall a 12x12 room?
Installing drywall in a 12' x 12' room takes 2 to 3 days, including the drying time between each coat of drywall mud.
How long does it take to drywall a $3000 sq ft house?
Generally, it takes a drywalling crew six days to four weeks to drywall a new home.
Do you drywall walls or ceiling first?
Hang drywall on the ceiling first, then the walls. Check the ceiling for bowed joists using a 4-ft. level. Irregularities less than 1/8 in.
Should drywall touch the floor?
Drywall should NOT touch the floor. Allow for floor and wall expansion without cracking the drywall by keeping a 1/2-inch (1.27-cm) space between them. This space also aids in preventing moisture from seeping if the floor floods.
Where do you start when hanging drywall?
0:263:11How to Hang Drywall | The Home Depot - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo install drywall around windows cut the drywall. Before you hang it for lower panels position theMoreTo install drywall around windows cut the drywall. Before you hang it for lower panels position the sheet along the floor mark where it meets the bottom edge of the window.
Should you leave gaps between drywall?
Always leave a 1/2-inch gap at the floor. This allows for floor and wall expansion without cracking the drywall.
Should you stagger drywall seams?
Drywall seams should be staggered to make walls stronger and seams less visible since they are often difficult to finish and can be noticeable in the end result. You can stagger seams by placing half the panel on the first row and a full-length panel on the second row and use mud or tape to create a mound over.
Does it matter which direction you hang drywall?
Structural strength Drywall is typically stronger when hung in the long direction than it is in the short direction, which means less chance of sagging when attached perpendicular.
How do you hang 50 lbs on drywall?
For pictures that weigh between 5 and 20 pounds, a good option is plastic drywall anchors and for pictures between 20 and 50 pounds, you can use a metal wall anchor or make sure to use a wall stud. For anything heavier, or a good all around solution for hanging multiple pictures, use a rail cable hanging kit.
Can drywall hold 20 pounds?
Hangers and Nails Can Hold the Weight on Drywall They can hold up to 20 pounds with the proper nail, such as a regular diploma frame. Flat mounted hook and anchor can hold up to 50 pounds.
Can drywall hold 10 pounds?
A nail is drywall is only able to hold a few pounds at most and should not exceed 10 pounds of weight. To can significantly increase the weight capacity by using drywall anchors or nailing into a stud.
How long does it take to mud drywall?
At the far end, drywall mud, also known as joint compound, needs to dry for 24 hours between each coat and before sanding, priming, and painting. The 24 hour drying time recommendation can be applied to nearly all factors.
Where to hang panels on a wall?
Continue hanging panels along the top of the wall, right over any window and door openings. (The excess will be trimmed later.) Make sure no seams line up with a door or window corner. Don't fasten panels to the framing around the openings yet.
How much does a 12 ft drywall panel weigh?
Bigger panels have their downside, however: They’re heavy and unwieldy. A 12-foot sheet of ½-inch drywall weighs about 80 pounds, nearly 30 pounds more than a standard 8-foot panel. That’s why manufacturers have developed 3⁄8-inch thick gypsum panels that weighs 16 percent less than standard sheets.
How many screws do you drive in a panel?
As the assistant holds the panel, drive five screws, evenly spaced, in a line across the panel's width and into the joist or strapping closest to the middle of the panel.
What happens if a ceiling panel doesn't span the entire ceiling?
If the panel doesn't span the entire ceiling, its end must land on the center of a strapping piece or joist. If it doesn't, measure to the center of the farthest support piece the panel will overlap. Transfer that measurement to the edge of the first panel and mark it.
How far away from the box do you drive screws?
Cover the box with another panel, and attach it as in Step 3; do not drive screws any closer to the box than 24 inches.
How to score a paper panel?
Hook a T-square on the panel and place it alongside the mark. Score through the paper on the front with a utility knife, using the T-square as a guide. Stand the panel on edge and snap the waste part of it away from the score line. Cut through the paper backing to remove the waste.
How to figure out how many sheets to use for a 4x8?
To estimate the number of 4-by-8-foot sheets needed, calculate the total square footage of walls and ceilings and divide by 32. Buy one or two extra per room to cover any cutting mistakes.
Introduction to Hanging Drywall
Drywall is panels of pressed gypsum plaster between heavy paper. Drywall is also known as plasterboard, wallboard and gypsum board. Some people call it “Sheetrock,” but Sheetrock is a registered trademark of a company that produces drywall.
Prepare Your Room
Cover electrical and plumbing lines with nail protector plates. This prevents accidental drilling or nailing into utility lines. Watch our Video: When Do I Use Nails vs. Screws?
Tape Drywall Seams
Using mesh tape – which hides seams more effectively than paper tape – cover the vertical joints, or butt joints, first, pressing it firmly into place with a drywall knife. Then cover the horizontal seams. Finally, cover the corners.
Joint Compound: Third Coat
The third coat is called the finish coat, which means you should leave no tool marks.
Skim Coat
For a professional finish, apply a skim coat. A skim coat is a thin layer of joint compound or “mud” that camouflages any rough areas left after the final coat of compound.
How to reduce noise when installing drywall?
As you install your newly trimmed drywall boards, take some drywall adhesive and run it across the studs so that you won't need as many screws. Drywall adhesive will also enhance the noise reduction of your walls. Follow these methods for covering the wall with drywall boards:
What is drywall used for?
Drywall is a large, rigid sheet of finished material that you can use to face interior walls of homes and commercial structures. Drywall construction involves building walls without mortar or plaster. If you want to add or completely remodel a room to your house, you'll need to hang drywall along the studs that frame your home.
How to indicate future window corners?
Cover the window with a drywall sheet and drive in a few screws to indicate the future window's corners.
Why do walls need to be flat?
The framing of a ceiling or wall needs to be flat from one stud or joist to the other for the wallboards to maintain their integrity. Uneven framing could lead to bowing panels, which adds strange contours or cracks in the walls.
Where to place screws in drywall?
To determine where to place screws throughout the drywall panels, mark the spot where the joists intersect the wall on the top plate.
How to figure out where to put first board?
To figure out where to put the first board, measure from a corner that makes a 90-degree angle with the joists, the horizontal framing components spanning on top of load-bearing walls.
Do you need to cut drywall for a window?
The room most likely has doors and windows, and you'll need to cut the drywall for a current or future opening. Follow these tips for trimming the area where a sheet covers a window that you haven't installed yet:
How to move drywall in place?
Some people use a tall ladder and a dead man’s brace to help move the drywall in place.
How far away should you keep screws from the edge of drywall?
Keep all screws along the edges 3/8″ away from the edge to avoid damaging the drywall. You always need studs at each end of your drywall, the drywall should be supported by at least 1/2 (3/4″) of the length of a stud on each end. You can screw a new stud into place when you don’t have a support.
Why do you need a drywall jack?
Drywall jacks are essential when hanging drywall on ceilings. Even if you’re hanging drywall on a ceiling with someone else, a drywall jack will save your arms and shoulders. Which will help you work longer and faster.
How thick is drywall?
The general rule is to use 1/2" thick drywall where studs are spaced 16" on-center. Use 5/8" thick drywall where studs are spaced 24" on-center.
How to keep seams from getting too deep?
Starting at the ceiling and working down a wall keeps most of the seams within easy reach for patching. It will also, in most rooms, keep the seam below eye-level so that any imperfections are less obvious.
Why do you hammer in framing nails?
Partially hammer in framing nails to support the weight of drywall.
Which part of a wall takes the most time and effort?
Taping and mudding the seams to get perfectly smooth walls is the part that takes the most time and effort.
These five handy tools will help you install drywall much faster and better
These five handy tools will help you install drywall much faster and better.
Corner Knife
This handy lightweight tool from Edward Tools has saved me from reworking those tricky corners more than once. It’s small, easy to work with and (with a bit of practice) helps you achieve pro-quality corners. We’ll show you how to hang drywall like a pro, too.
DeWalt Drywall Screw Gun and Cut-Out Tool Kit
From fast to slow, whatever your pace is, this DeWalt drill combo is dependable and lightweight and great for most jobs around the house and the workshop. The drill has a nosecone to help sink in screws to the correct depth every time.
Sanding Pad and Sponge
The Radius360 sanding tool is an amazing tool that can be snapped into the new Trigon180 sanding tool, or it can be interchanged with the hub of the Pro Handle Adapter, for hand sanding. It fits most poles and is helpful on floors walls and other surfaces. Check it out at Amazon.
Pocket Plane
If you are looking to smooth out sharp edges, or just didn’t cut the drywall well, this Stanley pocket plane helps with just that. It’s great for breaking an edge and cutting some tricky spots. Check out these 20 totally awesome drywall tips to get started.
Drywall Lift
You can get your drywall projects done more effectively when you use this lift. If you do not have anyone to help you out with your project, you can always rent or buy this amazing tool. It helped me finish my basement in a timely manner.
