Hanging drywall may seem like a daunting task, but with the right tools and instructions, it can be accomplished relatively easily. In this step-by-step guide, we will provide you with all the information you need to hang your drywall like a pro. So whether you’re a beginner or an experienced DIYer, read on for helpful tips and advice.
Types of drywall
Not all drywall is the same. There are two types of drywall, a standard which comes(in 4×8 sheets) and a green board for tiled bathrooms where moisture is common. If you are hanging both types, keep in mind that standard drywall can be nailed or screwed, but the green board must be screwed. Greenboard also has a special screw head that will allow it to hold better against the flooring materials underneath. If you are wondering how many drywall screws per sheet there are, know that that depends on the brand and not all sheets are the same. Some brands like US Gypsum (USG) and National Gypsum (NSI) require 7 screws per sheet, while others like Fiberboard Specialties Inc.(FSI) go up to 14 screws.
For any room smaller than 12’x12′ most use regular 1/2″ drywall. For rooms larger than 12’x12′, you have 3 options:
1 – either double up on panels, so you have 2 layers of 1/2″ sandwiched together, which gives you an overall thickness of 5/8″
2 – use 1/2″ drywall on the ceiling with 3/4″ on the walls, which gives you an overall thickness of 5/8″
3 – use 5/8″ drywall throughout, which is most common for rooms that are 12’x12′ and up
Tools needed to hang drywall
There are a few tools that you will need before you can begin hanging your drywall. Here’s what to look for:
- Hammer drill/driver – this is crucial since screws require more torque than nails do. While drywall screws are great at holding fast, they don’t have the strength of nails, so using a driver made specifically for the job will make the job much easier.
- Power drill – you can get by with a regular power drill, but for ease of use and time savings, you may want to consider getting a hammer drill/driver.
- Drywall saw – this tool is used in conjunction with the tape measure in every step of the drywall installation process.
- T-square – this is used to mark your wall horizontally and vertically. Get one that can be extended out to 12 feet for ease of use.
- Tape measure (extendable) – the most accurate way to make all of your cuts. Make sure you get one with 1/8″ measurements or use a metric tape measure.
Marking Drywall Holes
There are many reasons why you may need to mark a cut or hole in your drywall. To avoid having to pay for extra materials, it’s important to get all of your measurements right from the start. For this reason, we recommend marking every stud before you make a single cut or drill a hole in either piece of wood or drywall panels. If you don’t have a stud finder, you can use the magnet to find out. Just hold it up against the wall and if it sticks, move on. If not, you’ll need to use a hammer drill to bore into the drywall and check for studs. This tip is always useful when remodeling a home.
Hanging drywall tips
Preparation – First things first, you will need to gather your tools and materials before you can begin hanging drywall. You should also understand that you will be working with very sharp material, so safety glasses are a must. The first step is to measure the length and width of your room, then add at least 6 inches on each side for drywall cutting overspray – this means if your wall measures 20 feet by 15 feet, order 21’x16′ panels. Measure and mark the studs on your wall with a level and T-square. If you’re planning on finishing your ceilings as well, make sure to mark those studs as well before hanging any panels. Make an “X” with a pencil at each marked location, then drill 1/8″ pilot holes into the center of each “X”. Drill 2 screws down through both sides of every panel.
Now that you have prepared your walls, let’s review the four most common methods for hanging drywall:
- Staggered butt joints – First, place a vertical sheet of drywall against the inside edge of each line of studs so that edges are flush and tight against one another. The advantage of this method is that it leaves a small 1/8″ gap between sheets, which will make finishing easier. You can use this method for any type of installation.
- Parallel butt joints – After you have done the staggered joint installation, you should notice that there is still a small 1/4″ gap between panels at the end of each row. To get rid of this gap, you will have to switch to the parallel joint installation method. The only downside to using this method is that it requires a lot more drywall and screws than the staggered butt-joint method.
- Corner joints – This is a combination of both methods above, so you should expect it to require an equal amount of materials and time.
The last method you can use is the mitered corner joint, where two pieces of drywall butt up against each other at a perfect 90-degree angle on any corner of your room. This method is difficult to pull off with one person, so we recommend using it only when you’re working with someone. This method also requires an excessive amount of drywall and screws compared to the previous two methods.
Drywall screw types
Now that you have figured out your installation method, it’s time to purchase some drywall screws before hanging any panels. For example, for a staggered joint installation, make sure you get self-countersinking drywall screws that are coarse thread with a #7 diameter. For a corner joint installation, use self-countersinking drywall screws that are #8 coarse thread with a #7 diameter. To attach two pieces of drywall together at the mitered edge of any room, choose self-countersinking drywall screws that are coarse thread with a #7 diameter and an extra-long screw length, such as 1-5/8″.
The process of hanging drywall can be daunting for the uninitiated, so we’ve provided a step-by-step guide on how to hang the drywall. We hope this article has helped you understand the basics and will give you confidence when it comes time to install your next set of panels. The key is preparation; measure twice before cutting or drilling any holes in either piece of wood or drywall panels. If all goes well, your installation should look as good as new after years of wear and tear!
