Homework: How to hang drywall
These are just a few of the tools and materials you will need when you hang and finish drywall. Credit: Tim Carter
1. Eliminate seams.
Some home centers carry drywall only in 8-foot lengths. If you visit a business that just sells drywall, you will find drywall in various thicknesses, various lengths and sometimes even widths greater than 4 feet. If you can use 12-foot-long sheets to eliminate butt joints, do so whenever possible.
2. Hang drywall so that the long edge is perpendicular to the run of the studs.
In a room that has typical 8-foot ceilings, this means you will have a seam on the walls all around the room four feet off the floor. Do the same for ceiling joists and roof trusses. Always hang ceilings first, and then butt the first pieces of wall drywall up tight to the ceiling.
3. When cutting drywall, do not use a circular saw.
Use a sharp razor knife and score the paper face. Apply pressure on the backside of the cut line, and the drywall should snap crisply. There will be a slightly ragged edge, so always cut the drywall one-quarter inch less than the actual length you need.
4. Finishing drywall is where the real test begins.
When applying the tape on seams, be sure to use the compound that says it is for taping. It will state this clearly on the label. Do not use topping compound for taping. Topping compound is made for the second and final coats only. If you want to minimize dust from sanding, look for the newer finishing compounds that are formulated to create less dust.
5. It takes less sanding if you skim-coat the entire surface of all the sheets of drywall with a very thin coat of finishing compound.
This coat can be applied with a paint roller and skimmed off with a large flat blade. This skim coat also produces a uniform texture by filling in the paper face of the drywall sheets.
6. If you make a mess of finishing the drywall, you can always try to texture the ceilings and walls.
There are an infinite amount of textures you can create using brushes, trowels, brooms and pole sanders. If you decide to texture, then practice on a scrap piece of drywall until you achieve the desired look.
7. When it comes time to paint, use a special primer / sealer paint.
These inexpensive paints will even out both the texture and porosity of the drywall sheets. You will get really professional results.
