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How to Hang Drywall

Finished walls begin with drywall that is level and smooth. Simple tricks will help you hang drywall like a pro.

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80 Grit sandpaper Chalkline Drill Drywall screws Drywall Hammer Nail Shim Straight edge ruler Utility knife

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How to Hang Drywall

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" New wallboard adds a nice finish look to any room. By following a few simple guidelines, you can create a finish you can be proud of. Before attaching wallboard to studs, make sure all the studs are evenly matched by measuring with a straight edge. If there's a low spot, shim is necessary. If there's a high spot, shave it down using a plane. The time you take now in preparing the studs for wallboard will make a big difference in the quality of the finished results. Starting at an inside corner, lay the first sheet of wallboard horizontally along the floor. Hold the wallboard tight to the stud and screw a Sheetrock screw through the board and into the stud. Here's a tip. Once you have the wallboard in place with a few screws, snap a line marking the location of the studs. There'll be less chance of you missing a stud as you move along. Continue to fasten the wallboard to the studs, spacing the screws four inches apart. Continue the horizontal row by adding the next sheet to the butt of the first. At the end of the first row, measure and mark the new board to be cut. Place the last piece tightly in the corner. There is a technique for cutting wallboard. First, snap a chalk line on the finished side. Then, carefully run a utility knife along a straight edge to score the wallboard. It may take several passes. Once the board is scored, carefully stand it up on edge and bend it away from the scored side. The board will snap neatly. Run a sharp utility knife along the paper backing and complete the split. You may even out any bumps with a utility knife and sandpaper. Continue on to the second row, taking care to stagger the joints. This adds strength to the wall, and makes it easier to finish. If you're covering two walls that meet in a corner, make sure the wallboard fits tightly. With your wallboard screwed down, you are ready to tape this seams."

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Drywall Install Tips

Here s another great tip from BobVila.com. Although the two words are often used interchangeably, sheetrock is actually a brand name for drywall, which is gypsum sandwiched between two sheets of paper or, more recently, between two sheets of fiberglass. Any way you say it, drywall makes finishing walls very practical. For large jobs or those with very high ceilings, hire a pro. But most smaller jobs can be tackled by do-it-yourselfers. Before you get started, run the side of a hammer head along the framing to check for uneven surfaces or any protruding staples or nails. The tools you ll need are a straightedge and measuring tape for sizing your pieces, a utility knife for scoring and snapping, and a keyhole saw or rotary tool for cutting holes for outlets and windows. While some pros still attach drywall with nails, most find it easier to use an electric drill and that wonderful multi-purpose fastener, the drywall screw. You ll need about a pound of nails or screws for every 5 sheets of drywall. Metal corner beads go on all outside corners; inside corners get taped along with the joints between panels. Using pre-mixed joint compound is easier and less messy than mixing your own. You want a mix that s not too quick-drying if you re a beginner so you have a grace period to work in. Pros use about 5 gallons of compound for every 100 square feet, but you may need more depending on your level of experience. Installing drywall involves a series of short steps over a 3- to 4-day period. Follow the steps on BobVila.com for taping and finishing joints, and be sure to wear safety gear and a dust mask while sanding. If you re doing a ceiling, get a helper or a drywall lift. Find out more at BobVila.com: the ultimate home improvement web site! 2008 BobVila.com

Drywall vs. Blue Board Explained

Bob meets up with Bill Reid of US Gypsum in the barn of the Medford project. Bill differentiates imperial board (blue board) which is skim coated from drywall (gypsum panels) where the joints are taped. In 2000 US Gypsum developed a new core technology that makes the boards stronger and lighter - for easier handling, cutting, and scoring. The screw spacing is 12 inches on center with the screws flush with the paper providing a good, solid adherence to the wall with the screws. The face paper is treated and absorbent to take the veneer plaster and create the bond. These new boards snap cleanly on the ends. The installer puts a back cut on the edge so that the back of the sheet doesn't hit before the front does. The blue board and skimcoat application is typically not a do-it-yourself project. Traditional plaster jobs were very cost prohibitive so, when veneer plasters came along, they became very popular as they give a much more monolithic look than gypsum panels while providing an abuse resistant finish. Upstairs in the studio the homeowner has specified blue board with veneer plaster and downstairs, where he wants the option to tack artwork to the wall, he has specified a traditional drywall and tape application.

How to Repair a Large Hole in Drywall

Plumbing or electrical work can leave a hole in drywall. With a few simple techniques, you can repair the hole so it's invisible when finished.

How to Drive and Finish Drywall Screws

Properly driving and finishing the screws that hold drywall in place gives a smooth look to new walls.