Installing dry wall on the ceiling...?

Question

Nails or screws. What sort of size should the head on the nail/s***w be?

Answer 1

Every body's answers are good. Screws are the ultimate way to go.

1 1/4 in for 1/2 in drywall.

Fine thread for metal studs.

Course thread for wood.

And if going over a finished area, put some all purpose drywall compound in blobs in various areas of the drywall(back side) and s***w it in with Laminating screws(can be found at drywall suppliers).

  

Answer 2

Go to home depot or lowes and get drywall screws. Ask someone there if you need any help.

Answer 3

1 1/4 drywall screws. make sure you don't drive them in too far. the s***w should be in past surface plane but, should not go THROUGH paper. good luck!

Answer 4

Screws are better. They have drywall screws that have the head size already determined for you. Same with nails. Screws are more secure, especially for ceilings. Coarse screws for s******g into wood and fine screws for s******g into metal studs or "hat track".  The length should be at least 3/4 inch longer than the thickness of the drywall.

Answer 5

USA    Several answers, but none are complete.  The International Residential Code provides guidelines for drywall fasteners.

On a normal residential ceiling, if the drywall is glued, s***w fasteners can be applied with an on center spacing of 16" in each direction.  If nails are used, or if glue is not used, the fastener spacing is closer together, especially at the drywall edges.

Refer to the drywall manufacturer's instructions, and follow their guidelines.

Answer 6

COARSE thread drywall s***w, small size (1 1/4--1  1/2 )

  The fine thread screws are for installing drywall into metal studs.

This assuming you are going directly into the studs.  If there is already a ceiling up there then get longer screws to make up the difference.

Answer 7

WELL dry wall screws are the best any nail will be bad as time will cause the dry wall to fall

Answer 8

Use drywall screws. Ask the counterman for atool to install drywall screws. A Short tool that will keep you from going too deep. Just right for drywall screws.