| How to Drywall | | | | |
| | | | Hanging and Fastening |
| Whether you are refurbishing an existing room | | | | |
| or creating an addition, adding drywall is a | | | | Hang sheets from the top to the bottom, |
| great do-it-yourself project. Proper drywall | | | | perpendicular to the framing. Check your |
| techniques can make the difference in how a | | | | local building codes for fastening |
| room looks, but with a few tips you'll be | | | | requirements as these may vary. Use screws |
| able to make your room look great. Most | | | | every sixteen inches along the frame and fill |
| materials and supplies can be found at your | | | | in with nails so fasteners are found every |
| local home improvement center or hardware | | | | seven inches. Countersink both screws and |
| store. You will be able to save a lot of | | | | nails for a more secure fit. Make sure to |
| money by doing the project yourself plus | | | | position joints properly. Hand cut joints |
| you'll have the satisfaction of accomplishing | | | | should meet other hand cut joints and natural |
| your home improvement project. | | | | edges should meet natural edges. |
| | | | |
| Materials and Supplies | | | | Finishing |
| | | | |
| The first part of starting a drywall project | | | | Once all the sheets are in place, you will |
| is to ensure you have all the materials and | | | | start applying joint compound to the seams. |
| supplies needed. Supplies and materials | | | | Don't be concerned about using too much. Run |
| should be purchased based on the amount | | | | the knife along the seam, pressing it into |
| needed. Calculate this by determining the | | | | the space. Next, use tape, lightly pressing |
| total square footage of the room plus ten | | | | it from one edge to the end, centered over |
| percent to allow for waste. Divide this total | | | | the seam. Working from the center to the end, |
| by thirty to in order to use 4' x 8' drywall | | | | press and smooth the tape out. Apply a thin |
| sheets, and round up to the closest number. | | | | layer of compound over the tape so you can |
| You will then need joint tape, joint | | | | still see it. Fill in all the countersunk |
| compound, screws and nails. For each 1,000 | | | | nails and screws with compound also at this |
| square feet purchase 370 feet of joint tape, | | | | point. Allow this to dry at least twenty four |
| 140 pounds of joint compound, 700 screws and | | | | hours before starting the next process. The |
| 700 nails. This will provide all the supplies | | | | next process involves more compound to smooth |
| and materials needed to complete your | | | | out all the edges from the previous step |
| project. | | | | including the nails and screws. Allow this to |
| | | | dry another twenty four hours. The final coat |
| Tools | | | | will take some patience as here is where you |
| | | | want to make the edges completely smooth. |
| Having the proper tools is also necessary in | | | | Take care to ensure all edges are smooth and |
| successfully completing a drywall project. | | | | filled. Finally, you will sand the walls. |
| You will need a utility knife for cutting the | | | | Make sure to wear protective masks as there |
| drywall plus a T-square for making properly | | | | will be a lot of dust generated and vacuum |
| aligned cuts. A saw is also handy for cutting | | | | often to remove particles. |
| out places for electrical outlets or other | | | | |
| obstacles. A rasp can be used for shaving | | | | Once you are finished with the drywall |
| slightly over cut pieces but it is not | | | | project you will be ready to prime the walls. |
| necessary. Fastening screws and nails will | | | | Priming will help hide any imperfections and |
| require a hammer and screwdriver. It is | | | | will give you an even surface for your final |
| recommended a power screwdriver be used. A | | | | product. You may now choose to paint or |
| taping knife is essential for finish work and | | | | wallpaper the walls to your taste. The entire |
| helps spread joint compound. You will also | | | | process will take several days including |
| need a sander to smooth all the seams. | | | | drying time and labor. |