How do you hang drywall?

Question

Gonna be doing it here pretty soon. Just trying to learn how to save some money.

Answer 1

If you're hanging walls only, just make sure you've got your square footage covered.

To cut the pieces you need (if the 4x8 sheets aren't fitting the wall spaces you need), cut on the face to score the paper, then lift the sheet from the piece you're cutting off and "snap" along the scored lined.

Stand the sheet on edge and use a drywall knife to cut the paper along the back edge. If you're cutting a full 4x8 sheet, have someone to help you steady the pieces so the paper doesn't rip and ruin the sheet's integrity.

To hang, measure your studs in the wall and draw guidelines on your cut pieces so you'll know where to put the screws. Use 1 1/4 drywall screws spaced 6"-8" on the edges, 8"-10" in the field.

Put the screws in so they are just flush with the surface of the drywall. If you overseat a s***w, make sure to put another one in nearby so the piece is still held at that point. If the paper rips around the s***w head, you've overseated it. I tend to leave the last turn to a hand screwdriver to avoid this, and use an electric driver/drill to get most of the s***w in.

If you're hanging in a bathroom or kitchen, or where water will be present, leave a 1/2 inch gap at the bottom of the piece so water doesn't wick up into the wall. Use a wonderbar to elevate the sheet while you put the first few screws in. Just step on the bar lightly to hold the sheet up while you press it against the studs. Having a helper is good.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Hang the ceilings first. Hang the longest sheets you can handle (this makes for less butt joints). Butt joints are where the 4' ends butt to each other. Try not to put up a sheet that is narrower than 6". Install the sheets perpendicular to the ceiling joist. Come out from the wall your are starting up against 48 -1/4" and snap a line on the bottom of the ceiling joist. Line your first sheet up with this line. Your next row should be staggered so butt joints do not line up. Alway put factory edges together, your cut edge should go up against the wall.

Make sure you have the proper edge nailers in place around the perimeter of the room - sometimes these "drywall nailers" get left out in the framing - check wall corners for these nailers also.

Use drywall screws and a screwgun so the screws get set just right-or you can use a drywall dimple insert that fits in a cordless drill. Use 1-5/8" coarse thread drywall screws for 5/8" drywall for the ceiling and 1-1/4" screws for the 1/2" drywall on the walls.

Next hang the walls - run this drywall horizontal- and use the longest lengths you can comfortably handle. Same thing about butt joints - start at the top of the wall and push your first top sheet up against the ceiling and put a couple screws in it to hold it in place. Now install the lower sheet.Don't try to cut the drywall exact to fit too precisely- you can allow 1/4" less so you don't have to fight the sheets to get them up. Your adjoining drywall on the next wall will cover 1/2". Try not to splice a joint over a window or door- you might save some drywall, but cracks tend to show up on these splices. Do the closets and stub wall rips last, this way you will be able to use some of the pieces you thought were scraps.For electrical boxes always measure to both edges of the box on the sides and top and bottom. Cut out with a drywall jab saw. You can use a drywall cut out tool - but if you don't have one you can just use drywall square and the hand jab saw.

You can also purchase "stretch board" this is drywall that is 54" wide which works well with 9' tall walls.

A lot of supply places will deliver and spot your drywall right in each room. Just put up a pc. of cardboard that says what thickness and length goes in each room.

Make some benches the right height so when you stand on them with a walboard, you are at a comfortable height to hold and install the ceiling drywall. You can rent a drywall jack - but if you have some helpers the manual way is a lot faster.

Go for it.