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HOW TO INSTALL DRYWALL IN YOUR HOME...AND WITH GREAT RESULTS!
by Donald Thomas
HOW TO INSTALL DRYWALL IN YOUR HOME...AND WITH GREAT RESULTS! The thought of installing drywall in their home can induce feelings of trepidation, anxieties and images of certain disaster for many homeowners, but the truth is it is within most homeowners ability to not only install drywall, but do an excellent job as well. Again, as is the case in most home improvement undertakings; the key to success is having the right information to guide you through it and having the desire and impetus to do the job correctly. That's all. Successful drywall installation can be attained even if you're novice, just put your best foot forward and commit to doing a quality job and you will be successful.
I have installed drywall both commercially and within the residential sector for years now and I will be glad to share with you the best of my experience and knowledge that I have attained over the years. So take a deep breath and let's begin the journey.
Introduction
Call it drywall, gypsum board, drywall panels or sheetrock (actually a brand name), it's just different names for the same thing. For over six decades drywall has become the overwhelming choice of architects, builders, contractors and even homeowners as the material of choice when it comes to their interior walls and ceilings. Over 90% of all homes and buildings built in the last forty years have their interior walls and ceilings covered with drywall and that number continues to increase each and every day. Major gypsum manufacturing companies in the United States and Canada have a back order for drywall and as research and development departments continue to discover and implement new and better products, the demand for drywall seems to increase by leaps and bounds.
However, with the demand for such a great product continuing to increase, there is a down side that can leave some bewildered. Although drywall became a welcome alternative to plastered walls and ceilings, unfortunately many homeowners quickly came to the realization that drywall is susceptible to cracking, dents, crevices, and even large holes. And it became apparent that hiring a contractor to come in and repair these unsightly walls and ceilings could prove to be quite expensive to say the least. So many homeowners begin to do their own version of repairs and installations, but for the most part the end results were troubling.
But now, here is an opportunity for me to share with you some of what I have learned over the years about installing drywall. Most of my experience has been in the residential sector, but I have done quite a bit of commercial installation as well. I hope this guide will prove to be both beneficial and inspiring, and remember there is a wealth of information out there that is available to assist you in your installation project. Just use good common sense and take your time and never, never feel foolish about asking questions! So, all aboard?
Preparation
For clarification, this article is written to help instruct and assist homeowners in the installation of drywall in their home. Commercial application is not taken into context in this forum. My intentions are to help homeowners who are able and willing to install drywall on their walls and ceilings. And in another venue we will be instructing homeowners how to tape and finish drywall, as well as repair and texture it. But for now this article will focus on the installation aspect only.
In order to do any job correctly you will need the proper tools and/or equipment. When it comes to installing drywall you will need a T square, utility knife, rasp or sanding block, pencil, tape measure, chalk line, for measuring, drywall saws for cutting, piercing and marking the drywall. These are just some of the basic tools needed to do the job. Also, you will need a drill or a drywall screw gun to insert the screws. For me, using screws is not an option. I insist on using screws because they are stronger than nails and are less likely to pop out. Walls and ceilings have a tendency to shift over periods of time and that can cause nails to fail prematurely, but screws usually withstand such movement without experiencing premature failure.
There are a lot of tools and equipment that's available to help you install drywall and most can be found at a home improvement center, drywall store or your local tool and equipment rental store. But I have just mention some of the basic tools needed to get the job done. Remember, ladders, scaffolding and drywall lifts might be needed to do your job, but they can also be rented as well.
Installation : How To Install Your Ceiling Panels
To be sure, installing drywall can prove to be a laborious and gritty task that can leave you exhausted and just plain old worn out. But if possible find a helper to assist you in lifting and carrying the drywall panels around. You should never attempt to do this all alone because there is a possibility that you could injure yourself. Drywall panels are heavy and bulky and they can wear you down in the course of a day. So now is the time to call up an old friend and get yourself a little extra help.
Drywall panels can be purchased at most home improvement centers and local lumber yards. They usually come in eight and twelve foot panels, although you can buy panels that comes in ten and even sixteen foot lengths. They also come in widths of 1/2", 3/4", 5/8" and even 1/4" and 3/8". In most homes the drywall is usually 1/2" thick and eight foot long and four foot wide. However, sometimes the panels are 5/8" thick and twelve foot long. Local codes and laws usually dictates what is legally acceptable and what is not. Make sure you are in compliance with all codes and regulations to avoid penalties and fines that could be costly.
Your house has a skeleton...that is, its framing. And it is this framing that your drywall panels are attached to. Above head are your ceiling joist and on the side you'll find your studs. When attaching drywall over head you will be attaching the panels to the ceiling joist. Usually they are spaced sixteen inches on center, but sometimes they are spaced wider--twenty-four inches on center, again, it all goes back to local codes and regulations. To begin installing sheetrock, start in the corner of a room and install the panels perpendicular to the ceiling joist. In other words, they should be running across the ceiling joist and not parallel with them. Before you start fastening down the panel be sure it is straight and flush against the joist, and also make sure that the end of the panel is on half of the joist. If not, you need to measure and cut the panel so that it does fall on half of the joist, because the next panel you install will also share that same joist with the previous panel. Both panels will share the same joist, so be sure both have enough space to be fasten down properly...and this is the way it is done. You can do it-- it's easy, you just need a little practice to get comfortable with this procedure and then you'll be just fine. Trust me on this one.
Take your time and rest between panel installation, or as much as you need and want. There is no need to try and set some type of Olympic record, instead, take breaks and admire your handy work as you go. This will only help build your confidence and give you the impetus to continue your good work. And by the way, how about sharing a cold bottle of gator-aid all the while exchanging friendly banter with your old friend. Now that you have installed your first panel, it's time to put up your second one. Place the second panel directly behind the first one, remember, these two panels will share the same ceiling joist--end to end, or what is called a butt joint. Do not install panels horizontally, instead install them vertically or end to end...from wall to wall. Always avoid jamming or forcing drywall into a tight spot, instead cut the panel to fit nicely without having to force it.
When it comes to inserting screws into the drywall, always start in the middle of the panel (known as the field) and work your way out. Screws should be set six to eight inches apart, but personally I always put them four to six inches apart on ceilings just to make sure it won't come down. Leave two inches from the edge of the panel unfasten to allow for wall and ceiling movement. It's always better to be guilty of putting too many screws into your panels as opposed to not putting enough. And continue to follow this pattern throughout the job...that is-installing ceiling panels. When it comes to cut outs, just measure correctly...two, three or four times to get it right or you can mark the cut out with a marker and put up your panel, allowing the marking to make an imprint on the panel and then you can lower your panel and cut out the imprinted marking-- it's easy and very accurate too. But whatever method you employ just take your time and do the best you can do.
Installation : How To Install Your Wall Panels
Wow! Installing ceilings panels can be exasperating to say the least. No part of installing drywall panels tax my body as much as working overhead. Man, I'm a strong strapping guy that weighs over 280 pounds and as strong as a bull, but hanging (installing) drywall panels and even inserting the fasteners can wear me out too. So before we begin installing the panels on the wall how about a time out and lets grill a few steaks and down a six pack of ice cold cokes. Life is good.
Now that we have the ceiling all done let's begin installing the panels on the wall. We should install the lower panels first and then install the panels that will meet the ceiling, however, there are some quality installers that prefer to install the top panels first and then install the lower panels afterward, both can yield quality results and a successful completion. First, we need to measure the wall and see where the end of our panel will be. If it does not fall on a stud, and half way of the stud facing at that; then we need to cut the panel so that it does fall on the stud and covers only half of the stud facing. Remember, the proceeding panel will also share half of the stud facing with the first panel and so on. Always set the bottom panel a half inch off the flooring, unless more space is needed. Measure all cut outs before cutting or just follow the procedure for cut outs that I mention earlier. The key to drywall installation is just taking your time and being patient. That's all to it. Don't allow yourself to become so frustrated that your work begins to suffer. If you are tired and spent, retreat and relax and resume work at a later time when you're refreshed and ready.
I refuse to give you a whole bunch of instructions that will leave you more confused and uninspired then you were before you even started this project, no; instead, I want to give you the basics and allow you to employ intelligent decisions that may or may not work. But as you work your way through this project you will grow mentally, psychologically and emotionally. You see, the resolve you need to do this work can only prove to be beneficial in every aspect of your life. You entered an unknown arena and tackled a tough project and came out just beautifully. Now that truly is worth celebrating.
Donald Thomas is owner and CEO of American Painting and Pressure Cleaning, Inc. He has been in the home improvement business for almost a quarter of a century. He is also a free lance writer.
This author issues a disclaimer and is not responsible for any injuries that might occur following the instructions of this article. This article is written for the sole purpose of informing and entertaining.
About the Author
Donald Thomas is owner and CEO of American Painting and Pressure Cleaning, Inc. He has been in the home improvement business for almost a quarter of a century. He is also a free lance writer. Please feel free to visit our website for more information and save on a lot of great tools, equipment, work boots and much, much more. americanpaintingandpressurecleaninginc.com
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