QA

How To Put Sheetrock On Ceiling

Where do you start sheetrock on a ceiling?

Installation starts in one corner of the ceiling with the length of the drywall panels running perpendicular to the direction of the ceiling joists. If the room is wider than the length of the panels, measure and cut additional panels so the panels meet on the center of a joist.

Do you sheetrock the ceiling first?

When hanging drywall, always hang the ceiling first. This is the hardest drywall to hang, so get a partner and go slow. Large cracks due to misaligned sheets are hard to repair because the extra mud required to fill them will constantly fall out and drop to the floor (or worse, down the back of your neck!).

How thick should sheetrock be for a ceiling?

5/8-Inch-Thick Drywall When installed on ceilings, 5/8-inch-thick panels are less susceptible to sagging between the joists than 1/2-inch panels. Adding popcorn texture or another type of heavy surfacing material can add to the weight problem, making 5/8-inch drywall a better choice for ceilings.

How many screws do you put in sheetrock on the ceiling?

In standard home construction, about 28 screws are needed to properly attach a 4-by-8-foot piece of drywall. That’s if the panel is going on a wall. If it’s going on a ceiling, it’ll take about 36 screws.

Should you glue drywall?

Glue is not needed, but will reduce screw pops by making the assembly more ‘solid’. I always use adhesive when I can (when there is no vapor barrier or insulation covering the wood).

Do you need strapping ceiling drywall?

You should never install ceiling drywall fastened directly to the joists above. Without strapping, you’d be attempting to nail the drywall joints on only half of a side of 2x lumber. While this can be done on wall installations, it’s not by any means desirable. You’ll end up with more seams.

Is hanging drywall hard?

With patience, the right tools and a friend to help you, hanging drywall is not very difficult. Once you’ve learned how to hang drywall, learn how to tape and finish the installed drywall for professional-quality results. The joint work is really easier than it seems and provides very satisfying results.

Do you stagger drywall?

Generally, yes, sheetrock should be staggered. Most drywall contractors recommend staggering sheetrock boards so that the joints in one row do not match up with the joints in the next row, which adds strength to the wall or ceiling and helps minimize cracks.

What’s better drywall nails or screws?

While nails tend to be more flexible and hold up better against shear pressure—or lateral force—screws have much better grip and tensile strength, which ultimately keeps drywall from pulling away from the studs. When it comes to holding power, screws simply can’t be beaten.

Should drywall be hung vertically or horizontally?

On commercial jobs, fire codes often require seams to fall on the entire length of the framing, so the drywall must be hung vertically. For walls 9 feet high or shorter, hanging the drywall horizontally has a number of benefits. Fewer seams. Horizontal hanging reduces the lineal footage of seams by about 25%.

Is it better to paint ceiling or walls first?

If you’re painting an entire room, first paint the ceiling, then the walls. It’s also usually better to paint large areas like walls before repainting the trim; because you’ll work more quickly when covering open areas, this can result in roller spatters, overspray and occasional errant brushstrokes.

Should I use #6 or #8 drywall screws?

Drywall only, please: Don’t use drywall screws for sub-floors, tile backing or other non-drywall applications. These denser materials can break the smaller #6 screw during installation. Use a #8 or larger for these jobs.

What is the difference between sheetrock and drywall?

Drywall is a flat panel made of gypsum plaster sandwiched in between two sheets of thick paper. It adheres to metal or wood studs using nails or screws. Sheetrock is a specific brand of drywall sheet. These terms are often used interchangeably.

Can you put two layers of drywall on ceiling?

Install the second layer of drywall on both the ceilings and the walls, with the sheets fitted at a 90-degree angle to the first layer. As with the first layer, cover the ceiling first before the walls. The ceiling screws and wall nails need to be longer to accommodate the extra thickness of the second drywall layer.

How far should drywall screws go into studs?

Drive screws into the studs – about 16 inches apart in the middle and about 8 inches along the vertical joints. Keep the screws 3/8 inch from the edge. The screw heads should be just below the paper. You will cover them with joint compound later.

Does drywall have to end on stud?

Yes, you need to start and stop drywall on a stud. Every edge of the sheetrock needs to be supported continuously. Cut the sheetrock down so it’s edge is in the middle of a stud. Try to put your cut edge in a corner because the factory edges are tapered so when you tape and mud it ends up flat.

Can you put drywall over old drywall?

One of the fastest ways to cover old, damaged, or cracked plaster walls is to hang drywall over them. Using 1/4-inch sheets, you can cover old imperfections without adding too much additional finish work.

Can you use liquid nail on drywall?

LIQUID NAILS® Drywall Adhesive, (DWP-30), is a specially formulated construction adhesive for interior drywall installation and correcting minor framing irregularities in colder temperatures. Acts fast, bonds strong and buffers sound. Exceeds ASTM specification C-557.