| Installing Drywall, or hanging drywall as the | | | | framing. |
| professionals usually refer to the task, can be done by | | | | Taping and Mudding |
| the homeowner. However, it is usually best done with | | | | Again start with the ceiling. Apply a skim coat of joint |
| two or more people as it requires significant lifting of | | | | compound over the surface of a seam using a 6" |
| heavy material. Mudding and Taping can also be | | | | wide taping knife. If the seam is wide, apply a liberal |
| performed by the homeowner, however these tasks | | | | amount of joint compound to fill it. While the Joint |
| require some practice and artistry. | | | | compound is still wet, apply the fiberglass tape over |
| Measuring and Ordering Drywall | | | | the skim coat of Joint Compound. Make sure the |
| Prior to actually hanging the drywall, the material first | | | | seam is centered under the tape. Once the tape has |
| needs to be ordered and delivered. To determine how | | | | been installed, apply additional Joint Compound over |
| much material to order, measure all of the surface | | | | the tape, again using the 6" wide taping knife. Continue |
| area, starting with the ceilings and then the walls. | | | | this for all of the seams. Note: the tape will still be |
| Calculate the total square feet and divide by 32. The | | | | visible. Additional coats will eventually hide it. |
| result should give you the number of 4'x 8' sheets of | | | | The inside corners are usually the most tricky and |
| drywall required for the job. I would also recommend | | | | require practice. Patience is the best advice and note |
| adding another 5-10% to this figure to account for | | | | that additional coats will be applied later to smooth out |
| inefficiencies. Drywall does come in larger sheets, such | | | | any imperfections. |
| as 4'x12', however for a Do-it-Yourself homeowner | | | | Once the seams are done, using the 6" wide taping |
| these larger sheets can become unwieldy and maybe | | | | knife, apply mud to all of the screw/nail dimples. A skim |
| even impossible to bring into the existing home. | | | | coat is all that is initially required. |
| For bathrooms or other moist areas Greenboard | | | | Note: When applying the mud over the tape and |
| should probably be used as this material is moisture | | | | screw/nail dimples, make sure all excess material and |
| resistance. | | | | uneven patches are smoothed down with the blade. |
| For bathroom areas where ceramic tile is to be | | | | This will reduce sanding later. |
| applied, e.g. Shower/Bathtub areas, Concrete board | | | | Once the ceiling is done, you can move on to the walls. |
| should be used. The concrete board is also referred to | | | | Repeat the same process, however with the outside |
| as Wonderboard or Durock. | | | | corners just apply a liberal coat of joint compound to |
| Joint Compound and Fiberglass tape will also be | | | | the valley that is formed by the corner bead. This |
| required for Taping and Mudding. Joint Compound | | | | valley typically represents the first 3 or 4 inches from |
| typically comes ready-mixed in 5 gallon containers. I | | | | the edge of the corner. |
| would suggest 1-2 containers per 500 square feet of | | | | Once the first coat has been applied let it sit overnight |
| drywall. Fiberglass tape is quite inexpensive so I would | | | | or until it is dry, prior to starting the second application |
| suggest picking up 2 to 3 roles for most Do-it-Yourself | | | | of Joint compound. Make sure to completely clean off |
| drywall projects. | | | | the taping knife, the mud easel and any other |
| Drywall screws or ringed nails will also be required. | | | | containers or instruments that have mud on them prior |
| Typically I use 1.25" length screws or nails. Also, strips | | | | to finishing up for the day. |
| of corner bead will be required. | | | | Applying the Second Coat of Mud |
| Drywall Tools | | | | After the first coat has thoroughly dried, it is now time |
| Prior to starting drywall installation, you need to obtain | | | | to apply the second coat of mud. It is this coat that |
| the proper tools. A Drywall Lift really comes in handy | | | | should hide the tape. |
| when hanging sheetrock/drywall on the ceilings. You | | | | Again, start with the ceiling. Using the wider taping knife |
| can rent Drywall Lifts at hardware or home | | | | apply a generous amount of joint compound over the |
| improvement stores. If your budget does not allow for | | | | taped seams as you want to build up the area over |
| this cost, Jacks (or Ts) can be made out of 2"x 4"s. | | | | the tape. Taking large strokes smooth the joint |
| The Jacks (or Ts) should be of a length such that they | | | | compound over the tape applying more pressure to |
| are just an inch or two taller than the height of the | | | | the side of the taping knife further away from the |
| ceiling and have a cross beam that is approximately 3' | | | | tape. This will help to leave more mud over the tape. |
| in width. Usually there are a couple of 45o angle | | | | When complete, the mud should cover an area that |
| braces connecting the crossbar to the main stem of | | | | extends beyond the width of the tape by 2 to 3 |
| the Jack. The Jack can then be used to hold up the | | | | inches. |
| drywall to the ceiling while it is screwed/nailed into | | | | After the seams have all been completed, apply a |
| place. | | | | second coat of mud over the screw/nail dimples. With |
| In addition to the Lift or Jacks, a drywall screw gun, | | | | this second coat, flare out the mud over the dimples |
| hammer, T-square, carpenters knife, drywall saw and | | | | such that the diameter of the mudded area is about |
| a keyhole saw are required. The keyhole saw is used | | | | 3-4 inches in diameter. |
| for cutting around electrical boxes. | | | | For the inside corners a Corner knife may come in |
| If mudding and taping are to be performed then Taping | | | | handy. Corners involve a little artistry so again take |
| knifes, a Corner knife, sand paper, a pole sander and a | | | | your time. Apply a generous amount of joint |
| Mud easel or pan will be necessary. For the taping | | | | compound and then run the Corner knife down the |
| knifes you will need a 6" wide blade and a 12" wide | | | | corner starting from the top. Take long, even strokes. |
| blade. | | | | A 6" taping knife may also be helpful to smooth out |
| Preparing the site for Drywall | | | | any imperfections. |
| Prior to hanging the drywall, make sure the building | | | | For the outside corners, using the broad taping knife |
| inspector has first approved the Framing, Plumbing, | | | | apply a generous amount of joint compound and flare |
| Electrical and Insulation jobs. Secondly, a vapor barrier | | | | out the material such that it extends out 6 inches or so |
| should be applied over the insulation on the outside | | | | from the corner. Again, apply more pressure to the |
| walls if un-faced insulation was installed. Frequently | | | | blade side that is further away from the corner so that |
| sheets of plastic are used for creating the vapor | | | | you leave more mud nearer the outside corner. |
| barrier. The plastic is simply stapled to the framing, | | | | Once the second coat has been applied let it sit |
| covering the insulation. | | | | overnight or until it is dry, prior to starting the final |
| Finally, inspect all of the framing carefully. Ensure that | | | | application of Joint compound. Make sure to |
| nailers (e.g. 2" x 4"s) are existent at each corner and | | | | completely clean off the taping knife, the mud easel |
| header, that the framing is straight, and that the framed | | | | and any other containers or instruments that have mud |
| walls create smooth planes. In addition, the ceiling | | | | on them prior to finishing up for the day. |
| should have strapping applied (1" x 3" cross boards). | | | | Applying the Final Coat of Mud |
| Also, make sure metal protection plates have been | | | | After the first coat has thoroughly dried, it is now time |
| installed to studding where sheetrock screws or nails | | | | to apply the final coat of mud. It is this coat that |
| could inadvertently penetrate plumbing pipes or | | | | requires the most artistry and the least amount of joint |
| electrical wire. | | | | compound. Here you are simply applying a final skim |
| Safety | | | | coat to the already mudded areas. |
| Drywall installation is dirty, heavy work. The Gypsum in | | | | Prior to applying the skim coat it is best to take your |
| drywall can be irritating to the eyes, lungs and sinuses | | | | wide taping blade and lightly pass over the mudded |
| so wear safety goggles and masks to avoid breathing | | | | surfaces. This will remove any bumps or ridges. |
| in the material. Gloves are also recommended to | | | | Again start with the ceiling seams and apply a small |
| protect against sharp blades. | | | | amount of joint compound using the broad taping knife. |
| Installing Drywall | | | | Again continue to flare out the seam by extending the |
| Start with the ceiling as this will allow the sheets on the | | | | mudded area such that about 6 inches resides on |
| walls to help hold the sheets on the ceiling. Use the | | | | each side of the now invisible tape. Remember this is |
| Drywall lift or Jacks to hold the sheets in place while | | | | a skim coat so little mud is required. The purpose of |
| screwing or nailing them to the ceiling. The screws or | | | | this coat is to effectively fill in any lines or recessed |
| nails should be installed such that they are slightly | | | | areas. |
| recessed and create a small dimple without breaking | | | | After the seams have all been completed, apply a final |
| the paper. Screws or nails should be applied every 8 | | | | coat of mud over the screw/nail dimples. With this |
| to 12 inches on each stud. Screws are typically | | | | second coat, flare out the mud over the dimples such |
| stronger and can be placed further apart, e.g. 12 inches. | | | | that the diameter of the mudded area is about 6-8 |
| It is best to fasten the screws/nails to the edges of | | | | inches in diameter. |
| the drywall first and then fill in the field afterwards. | | | | For the corners use the broad taping knife and add |
| Rows of drywall should be applied in a staggered | | | | just enough mud such that you can flare out the |
| pattern. This will create an interlocked pattern that | | | | mudded surface area to about 8-12 inches, taking care |
| creates a tighter and stronger ceiling/wall. | | | | to filling in any lines or dimples. |
| After the ceiling has been completed it its time to | | | | Once the final coat has been applied let it rest |
| move on to the walls. Drywall should be applied from | | | | overnight or until it is dry, |
| the top down, with the sheets hung perpendicular to | | | | Sanding |
| the floor joists or studs. Again the rows should be | | | | Sanding is a very dusty and dirty mess so please uses |
| staggered. The bottom piece should sit about ½ | | | | goggles and a mask. I find it best to use a pole sander |
| inches from the sub-floor. | | | | with an open screened sand paper material specifically |
| For purposes of efficiency and strength it is best to | | | | designed for sanding sheetrock/drywall mud. |
| apply the large sheets of drywall over the doors and | | | | Lightly sand all of the taped areas, however |
| window openings and cut out the excess later. This will | | | | concentrate sanding on the outer edges of the |
| create stronger/cleaner looking walls and save | | | | mudded areas such that all seams and ridges are |
| significant time. | | | | eliminated and blend into the main surface areas. |
| Installing Corner bead | | | | Once sanding is complete, vacuum up the dust and |
| Once the drywall has been installed, corner bead | | | | you are ready for priming and painting the walls and |
| should be applied to all outside edges. Corner bead | | | | texturing the ceilings. |
| should be nailed every 6-8 inches and penetrate the | | | | |