How to Do a Drywall Job | DoItYourself.com

Walls are an important part of every home. Gypsum board, also known as drywall, is an easy and affordable way to create a clean finish on the walls of your home. Follow the easy steps in this article to properly drywall in your home.

Begin with sketches so that you can adequately visualize the workspace. Wallboards must be added in a perpendicular position to the joists. Work from the top down, beginning in the center of the ceiling and extending outwards until you reach the base of the walls. Use waterproof drywall for bathrooms and other areas prone to moisture. Some codes require fire-resistant drywall.

The easiest way to make accurate drywall cuts is to employ a straight edge and a utility knife. Always measure and mark before making any cuts. Start your cut at the paper and slowly score the board until you have complete the cut. Once you have adequately score the gypsum board, it should break easily and evenly. Account for all fixtures around which you must cut the board.

The easiest and cheapest job is to add a single layer of drywall. Use a second layer when you want to protect against flames or sound.

As you plan the layout for your drywall boards, find a way to create as few joints as possible. Use a horizontal arrangement for lower ceilings and vertical arrangement for high ceilings.

It's best to have help when installing the drywall so that you can make the attachments while your friend holds the boards in place. If your on your own, use a T-brace.

Add the top boards first for horizontal arrangements. Put it into place and attach it firmly with screws. If the workspace includes a spot where your find ceiling boards secured directly to the joists, the you should begin the first run 7-inches lower than the ceiling height. When using nails, plan to space them by 7-inches.

Some homeowners prefer adhesive/nail-on style. If that's the kind of board you have selected, then you should stick the boards to the studs before nailing. Sometimes, you'll have a board which bows in the center. To fix it, add a nail until the adhesive has totally settles. For vertical arrangements, align the long edges so that they run in the same direction as the framing members.

Ask a sales associate at your local home improvement store for help finding specially designed metal corner strips and install them according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Apply joint compound over drywall tape to all areas where boards butt against one another. You may occasionally need more than one layer of compound.

When using adhesive tape the best option is to apply the tape first, then add several coats of compound. For non-adhesive tape, you must also apply embedding coal. Once the embedding coat has settled, you can continue to apply several more coats of compound

When applying the adhesive tape, pay special attention to centering it. Apply non-adhesive tape by applying gentle pressure with the knife over the tape into a layer of compound at a 45-degree angle.

Adhesive tape can be coated immediately. Non-adhesive tape must rest for 24 hours and totally dry before you can proceed. Spread the compound wide so that it spreads to a feathered finish.

Once the compound has dried, sand it until it is smooth. Wipe away the dust with a dry towel.

The nails/screws should be slightly recessed into the gypsum board. Spread compound over the dimples and allow it to dry before sanding to a smooth finish.

Continue on to the drywall joints where the boards butt against each other. Spread the compound over these areas in a feathered fashion. Allow it to dry and sand.

Make sure that the metal corners are securely positioned and spread compound over them. Allow the layer to dry, sand it and apply a second coat. Sand the top coat.

When completing the interior corners, spread the compound 1.5-inches in each direction from the angle. Make sure the joint tape matches the area it will cover, and press it into place. Allow it to dry, apply more compound and sand the final layer one it has dried.

Information in this article has been furnished by the National Retail Hardware Association (NRHA) and associated contributors.

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How to Do a Drywall Job | DoItYourself.com