What is the best way to hang drywall on a wall?
Hanging drywall perpendicular to the overhead framing members is a good idea for several reasons: A perpendicular orientation allows each sheet of drywall to float over the framing members, making uneven joists or trusses blend in.
How do you fix a wall that has an overhang?
Hang the adjacent panel, touching the back side of the overhang, and secure it. Cut away the excess. 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.
How do you finish the outside corners of a wood wall?
For outside corners, use a 10-inch knife to apply compound to both sides. Feather the second layer out past the first layer to blend the edges with the wall. Apply a second coat of compound over all fasteners. Let the second coat dry 24 hours. The third coat is called the finish coat, which means you should leave no tool marks.
How do you attach a sheet of plywood to the ceiling?
Holding the first sheet horizontally across the ceiling and close to the corner, align both vertical sides with studs. Hammer in a few nails to hold it in place.

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.
Which way do you face drywall?
The most effective method is to hang drywall so that the correct side faces outward. In other words, the side with brown paper should face the wood framing, and the light gray and beveled side should face outward.
Is it better to hang drywall vertically or horizontally?
On commercial jobs, fire codes often require seams to fall on the entire length of the framing, so the drywall must be hung vertically. However, on residential jobs, the drywall on the walls is typically hung horizontally. For walls 9 feet high or shorter, hanging the drywall horizontally has a number of benefits.
Can you hang plasterboard vertically?
For reasons including time, money, ease of installation, and structural strength, should drywall be installed horizontally or vertically. Yes.
What is the front of drywall?
The front side offers a smooth finish and moisture protection, depending on the type of drywall chosen. The backside of the drywall is usually brown and feels a bit rough. It's essential that if you want to DIY your drywall installation, the brown side goes against the wall, and the smooth side faces out.
Should you leave a gap between drywall sheets?
Cut it to leave about a 1/8-in. gap at edges (right). In fact, when you're hanging the ceiling, keep in mind that 1/2 in. along the perimeter will be covered by drywall on the walls.
Do you plasterboard walls or ceiling first?
Walls First If you add drywall to the walls. Then add drywall to the ceiling. The ceiling drywall will be unsupported along the entire length of the one wall.
Does it matter if you drywall ceiling or walls first?
When hanging drywall, always hang the ceiling first. This is the hardest drywall to hang, so get a partner and go slow. Large cracks due to misaligned sheets are hard to repair because the extra mud required to fill them will constantly fall out and drop to the floor (or worse, down the back of your neck!).
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.
Should you stagger plasterboard?
Plasterboard should be staggered, however, it is not a requirement. It is a good idea to consider, as staggering your boards will make the joints of the wall not as visible overall. If you do stagger your plasterboard, it is advised that you put them up horizontally, and not vertically.
What's the difference between horizontal and vertical?
Anything parallel to the horizon is called horizontal. As vertical is the opposite of horizontal, anything that makes a 90-degree angle (right angle) with the horizontal or the horizon is called vertical. So, the horizontal line is one that runs across from left to right.
Are studs vertical or horizontal?
The studs are the vertical pieces that make up most of a wall's frame. The cavities between the studs are called bays (or stud bays). A horizontal piece at the bottom of the wall is called the bottom plate. The studs are nailed to this plate, which is nailed to the floor.
How to Hang Drywall on Walls: Vertical or Horizontal?
On commercial jobs, fire codes often require seams to fall on the entire length of the framing, so the drywall must be hung vertically. However, on residential jobs, the drywall on the walls is typically hung horizontally. For walls 9 feet high or shorter, hanging the drywall horizontally has a number of benefits.
Why hang drywall horizontally?
Fewer seams. Horizontal hanging reduces the lineal footage of seams by about 25%. Keeping the footage of seams to a minimum will result in less taping and a better looking finished job. Hides uneven studs.
What size drywall should I use for a ceiling?
If water-based textures are being applied to the ceiling, then 1/2-inch interior ceiling board or 1/2-inch lightweight drywall, such as CertainTeed Easi-Lite, is required. The lightweight drywall panels meet the same performance standards as interior ceiling boards as they are more resistant to sagging.
How far off the floor is drywall?
Easier to finish. A horizontal seam 48 inches or 54 inches off the floor is easier to finish uniformly, especially when compared to a vertical seam, which requires reaching up high and bending down low to finish. Also, don’t forget that drywall is available in long lengths so most walls can be covered in one length.
Can you hang drywall perpendicular?
Heavy insulation will not be installed later, since that could cause the drywall to sag, or even fail. Regular 1/2-inch drywall ceilings can be hung perpendicular if joists are spaced 24 inches or less apart (*always refer to local codes). If hung parallel, the maximum spacing is 16 inches on center.
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 far apart should I hang half inch drywall?
Regular half inch drywall ceilings can be hung perpendicular if joists are spaced 24 inches or less apart (*always refer to local codes). If hung parallel, the maximum spacing is 16 inches on center. These framing spacings are only acceptable for half inch regular board when no water-based textures are being applied to the ceiling. If water-based textures are being applied to the ceiling, then half inch interior ceiling board or half inch lightweight drywall, such as CertainTeed® Easi-Lite™, is required. The lightweight drywall panels meet the same performance standards as interior ceiling boards as they are more resistant to sagging.
Why hang drywall horizontally?
For walls nine feet high or shorter, hanging the drywall horizontally has a number of benefits. Fewer seams – Horizontal hanging reduces the lineal footage of seams by about 25%. Keeping the footage of seams to a minimum will result in less taping and a better looking finished job.
Why is drywall hung horizontally?
Hides uneven studs – Hanging horizontally also allows the drywall to flow over the framing so that bowed studs create less of a problem. If the drywall were hung vertically and a seam placed on a bowed out stud, the seam would be magnified because of the bump in the wall.
What does direction of drywall mean?
The direction of the drywall can mean the difference between a beautiful finished home and one with sagging ceilings and obvious wall seams.
What size drywall should I use for a ceiling?
If water-based textures are being applied to the ceiling, then 1/2″ interior ceiling board or 1/2″ lightweight drywall, such as CertainTeed® Easi-Lite™, is required.
Can you hang drywall vertically?
Commercial: Hang the drywall vertically. On commercial jobs, fire codes often require seams to fall on the entire length of the framing, so the drywall must be hung vertically.
