
Step 1: Purchase Sheetrock
- Purchase Sheetrock Go to your home improvement center to purchase the sheetrock needed to create the archway. The sheetrock will be rigid and not flexible. ...
- Wet the Sheetrock Put warm water into a spray bottle. Apply the water to the sheetrock, bending it to shape as it gets wet. ...
- Let Sheetrock Dry The sheetrock should be held in position as the water dries. ...
- Attach the Sheetrock
How to hang drywall for beginners?
- 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.
Is sheetrock and drywall the same thing?
Sheetrock and drywall almost refer to the same thing. The keyword here is: almost. Both are frequently used as construction materials for ceilings and walls. However, since a company patented the formula of Sheetrock– the main distinction lies there. Sheetrock is a drywall brand name manufactured by the U.S. Gypsum Company.
How much does it cost to hang sheetrock?
Your actual price will depend on your location, job size, conditions and finish options you choose. The cost to hang sheetrock can depend on the thickness and several other factors. On average, it costs between $0.24 and $2.25 per square foot to hang sheetrock, which includes labor.
How do you install sheetrock?
Part 3 Part 3 of 4: Hanging the Sheetrock Download Article
- Measure out your sheetrock before hanging. This goes for both ceilings and walls. ...
- Consider gluing each stud and joist before it receives the drywall. Run a bead of glue down each stud that will be covered by the drywall.
- Hang the toughest part first — the ceiling. ...
- Mark the stud centers on the ceiling drywall. ...

What is Sheetrock made from?
Drywall (gypsum board) is used in North American construction as a faster alternative to plaster and wood. Drywall is made of gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate), paper, and additives such as mica, clay, and resin. Drywall installation generates gypsum and silica dust, which are irritating to the lungs.
What is the difference between drywall and Sheetrock?
Drywall is a flat panel made of gypsum plaster sandwiched in between two sheets of thick paper. It adheres to metal or wood studs using nails or screws. Sheetrock is a specific brand of drywall sheet. These terms are often used interchangeably.
How do you make drywall at home?
1:233:10How To Install Drywall (The Right Way) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce the Wall's top panels are installed install the bottom panels. Make sure you cut out the bottomMoreOnce the Wall's top panels are installed install the bottom panels. Make sure you cut out the bottom panels accurately to leave a half inch gap between the panel and the floor.
How is drywall produced?
To produce gypsum board, crushed natural gypsum or synthetic gypsum is heated or calcined to dehydrate the feedstock. Next the calcined gypsum is mixed with water and additives to form a slurry which is fed between continuous layers of recycled paper on a long board machine.
Is sheetrock stronger than drywall?
Sheetrock is a brand of drywall that is a registered trademark of the U.S. Gypsum Company. With the exception of a couple of chemicals that allow the Sheetrock formula to be patented, there is practically no difference between Sheetrock and other drywall.
What was used before drywall?
Before drywall became widely used, building interiors were made of plaster. For hundreds of years, walls and ceilings have been constructed by placing layers of wet plaster over thousands of wooden strips called laths.
What mud do you use for drywall?
All-purpose mud is commonly used as a first coat because the bonding agents in the mud cause the drywall tape to hold better. All-purpose mud is harder to sand and not often used as a finish coat. Topping mud is a form of dry mud that is lighter than all-purpose. It is best used for final coats.
Is there a difference between joint compound and drywall compound?
Joint compound, also called drywall compound, is a putty that has the consistency of plaster and is designed for larger jobs. Joint compound is made by mixing gypsum dust and water into a paste. It's usually comes in a pre-mixed container for your convenience and is commonly used for taping and finishing drywall seams.
Is Sheetrock toxic?
To answer your question in short: drywall dust is not toxic to the body in smaller amounts. This means it will not cause any long-term diseases. However, it can irritate parts of the body, like the eyes and throat. This is because it is made of a chemical known as gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate).
What are the ingredients in drywall mud?
The compound is a complex combination often including water, limestone, expanded perlite, ethylene-vinyl acetate polymer, attapulgite, and other ingredients. The delicate mixture of compounds gives it a creamy texture that spreads easily onto drywall surfaces and then hardens as the moisture evaporates.
Where is most sheetrock made?
USG has a large gypsum plant located 17 miles (27 km) west of El Centro, California, along highway Interstate 8, at Plaster City. The Plaster City location makes Sheetrock brand gypsum panels. The gypsum is mined from a quarry located 20 miles (32 km) to the north, in the Fish Creek Mountains of Imperial County.
What is the difference between sheetrock and plaster?
Drywall is made out of softer material called gypsum which doesn't crack. Sheets of it are nailed into the wooden studs when finishing the interior of a house. Plaster, on the other hand, dries much harder than drywall, and is more labor-intensive and expensive.
Can you paint over sheetrock?
Q: Can I paint directly on drywall? A: No, after you are done hanging your drywall, you need to make sure that you mud and primer it before applying any coat of paint. After all of those steps have been complete, you can begin the process of painting your drywall.
What is sheetrock used for?
Drywall (also includes sheetrock) is used to build interior walls in most standard, modern homes today. Drywall, also commonly referred to as plasterboard or wallboard is a multi-layered panel that is made of calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum), and includes other additives that act as reinforces.
Is sheetrock waterproof?
Drywall will never be as waterproof as cement board or polystyrene foam board. Even water-resistant drywall, which is typically green in color, is not waterproof. If you use drywall for your shower walls, you risk mold, rot, and crumbling walls.
Can sheetrock get wet?
While drywall is made of some pretty sturdy stuff, it can sustain damage when exposed to water for too long. If moisture damage isn't addressed swiftly, the structural integrity of the drywall becomes compromised, causing it to become soft, weak and susceptible to mold growth.
Tips
When hanging drywall, it is important to have as few little pieces as possible, which will make your life easier later. So, when working with windows, try to start with a whole sheet and cut out for the window instead of cutting small pieces to fit around the window.
Warnings
It is a good idea to shut off the main power supply when removing drywall as it is difficult, if not impossible, to tell where the wiring runs behind existing walls.
About This Article
This article was co-authored by Ryan Owsiany. Ryan Owsiany is a Drywall and Painting Specialist and the Owner of Patch and Paint Pros in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. With over two decades of experience, Ryan specializes in interior and exterior house painting as well as drywall, plaster, and water damage repair.
History of Sheetrock
Way back in the 1890s, an innovative new construction product called Sackett Board was invented by Augustine Sackett.
Sheetrock vs. Drywall
As I said before, Sheetrock™ is a registered brand of the US Gypsum Company that has become synonymous with drywall due to its popularity and wide usage—the company is the single largest manufacturer of gypsum products in North America.
Types of Sheetrock
Sheetrock™ is quite a versatile construction product—its varieties are generally distinguished by color, size, and application.
Why Size Matters
Drywall panels are also differentiated based on their size and thickness, apart from their properties, colors, and applications.
Summary
In conclusion, the main differences between drywall and Sheetrock™ include types, sulfur quantities, and usage.
Getting Started
Just like the old construction adage “measure twice, cut once,” you should be sure to walk through the steps that follow more than once. Having a clear idea of the whole process will help you work efficiently, saving time and avoiding mistakes. Also, consider renting a drywall lift or getting a friend to help you.
Hang the Ceiling First
Hanging a ceiling is relatively straightforward aside from the toll it takes on your body to hold the sheet up overhead. When you are marking your ceiling panels for fixtures, it can be helpful to label the sides of the sheet with points of reference (“living room side” for instance) to avoid any confusion as you lift and turn the panel.
Step 1: Measure and Cut
Measure the area you are hanging. If the wall or ceiling is shorter than a standard eight-foot drywall panel, cut the drywall roughly ¼” shorter than your measurement. If it is longer than a standard drywall sheet, you’ll hang one whole sheet and then cut a second sheet ¼” shorter than the difference.
Step 2: Position and Attach
Position your first sheet. For the ceiling, start in a corner with the panel tight against the walls. For walls, place the sheet tight against the ceiling and against one wall. Get a friend or drywall lift to hold the sheet in place while you attach it to the studs with drywall screws.
Step 3: Mark and Cut Your Fixtures
As you work, you may hang sheets that cover windows, power outlets, or other kinds of fixtures that will need to come through the drywall. The best approach depends on whether the fixture is already in place.
Step 4: Finish the Rows
Cut a piece of drywall to fit the space between the ends of your last-installed sheets and the corner.
Step 5: Install a Ground Row
Odds are that neither axis will be an exact fit for whole sheets of drywall. On walls, for instance, two rows of drywall panels will not reach the floor unless you have very low ceilings. After you finish your rows, add a partial row to fill the last gap.
