Hanging Drywall

The tricks of the trade for hanging drywall are basic. They consist of working with the material (vs fighting with it), the right tools and patience. If you're shaking your head right now and muttering "I don't have patience!", then stop reading immediately and go find yourself a contractor. DYI drywall is no place for you.

This job will take longer, cost more and be more likely to have less than optimum results if you're short-tempered and try to manhandle the board. Worse yet - someone is more likely to get hurt trying to help you.

Ceiling height

The height of the ceiling determines a lot. If your job has 8' ceilings, hang the board on the ceiling first. If it's above 8', you'll want to start on the wall first. Take note here: I don't mean 8' 1". On a quality new construction job the walls are 8' 1". This allows for 1/2" drywall on the ceiling and 1/2" of finish flooring and gives the end result of an 8' ceiling. We'll deal with odd heights in a later post.

Set yourself up with a workable (and safe!) mini-scaffolding system. For most people that's in the area of 18" to 24" high. Please don't be overly creative. A rolling platform of just the right height will not, I repeat will not make your life easier.

Why not? I'll tell you why not - because the second you push or reach slightly off center of your balance point, the rolling platform will shoot out from underneath you and your partner. The two of you will find yourselves on the floor with a sheet of drywall literally broken over your heads.

Getting started

Starting on an exterior corner is usually preferable. They tend to be the most square. Each room layout is different so make your own call on where to start. Try to use as close to full sheets as possible. It sometimes works out that the best move you can make is to move off the wall 2' to 4' and hang a full 8' sheet from stud center to stud center.

Afterward, add the smaller piece in. Although it is possible to just start out with a smaller piece it can throw off the entire ceiling if it isn't perfect. Hanging a full sheet covers more area and sets the tone for the rest of the sheets to follow. Don't try this with less then 3 people. Someone has to be able to check each end to see if it's centered on the stud while two people are holding the sheet like Atlas holding the globe. This is a moot point if you're using a panel jack, of course.

Take two measurements if you are working on old house, or you suspect the room is out-of-square. Do not try to stay tight!!! This is nothing like a 2X4 that you can beat into place with a framing hammer if it's a tad tight. If you cut drywall too tight it will have to be shaved, and shaved, and shaved... until it fits right. I always allowed for a full quarter inch of play. Remember you are coming up the wall with 1/2".

Ideally, one person cuts the board while the other is preparing the work area. Make marks on the walls at the end of every ceiling joist and glue up. If you're worried about your 'eye' following the line of the stud once it's covered with the board chalk lines can be used. Just bear in mind that the lines are likely to be off, i.e use a light touch with the hammer until you find it.

Apply panel adhesive to every stud this sheet is about to cover except the ends. Aim for the center third of the area the sheet will cover and apply a healthy bead.

Providing there were no wall offsets to deal with and no electrical boxes to cut out the sheet itself is a simple straight cut using the T-square. Cutting board is easiest when it is leaning against a wall (slight lean only). Secure the bottom of the square with a toe and using a fresh utility blade score along the square. Now stand the board upright and snap the cut piece back and score the other side. Snap back towards the original position.

A word of caution here - score deeply enough even if it takes running the knife more than once. The smaller the piece being cut off, the more likely it is to break unevenly instead at the score point. In some cases the best solution is to score both sides before the snap.

Click here for further reading on installing drywall.

Next up - staggering joints, circles and angles.

Questions? Post in the comment area.