Do you put ceiling or walls up first?

What goes up first ceiling or walls?

Hang drywall on the ceiling first, then the walls. Check the ceiling for bowed joists using a 4-ft. level.

Is it OK to drywall walls before ceiling?

Yes, you should install drywall on the ceiling before the walls for multiple reasons: The drywall on the walls can support the ceiling pieces. You can create tight and fitted corners more easily. The pieces are easier and faster to work with from the top.

Why do you hang drywall on the ceiling first?

Doing the ceiling first means you can lift the wall sheets to make a tight joint. By contrast if you do the walls first you would have to sculpt every edge to make it seat tightly, and/or end up with lots of voids to fill before you tape.

How far should drywall be off the ceiling?

In fact, when you're hanging the ceiling, keep in mind that 1/2 in. along the perimeter will be covered by drywall on the walls. And the same is true of inside wall corners. So you can safely cut these pieces 1/4 in.

Drywall Basics | Drywall Installation Guide Part 1

Does it matter which direction you hang drywall?

Drywall is typically stronger when hung in the long direction than it is in the short direction, which means less chance of sagging when attached perpendicular.

How many screws go into a 4x8 sheet of drywall?

Use about 32 drywall screws per sheet of 4-foot by 8-foot drywall installed horizontally on a wall. This total is comprised of four screws on the five middle studs and six screws on each of the two sides.

Is drywall supposed to touch the floor?

Drywall should NOT touch the floor. Allow for floor and wall expansion without cracking the drywall by keeping a 1/2-inch (1.27-cm) space between them. This space also aids in preventing moisture from seeping if the floor floods.

Should drywall be staggered?

Drywall butt joints should always be staggered. This makes it easier for taping and finishing and increases the overall strength of the entire wall.

Do you stagger drywall seams on ceiling?

It's not necessary to stagger seams on ceiling drywall. However, because these joints are relatively difficult to finish – and tend to be noticeable in the finished product – it's a good idea to stagger the drywall panels to make the joints less visible.

Do you hang drywall top to bottom?

When hanging the drywall on the walls, always hang the top sheet first. Raise a sheet tight to the ceiling and secure it with a drywall nail at the top and bottom at each stud. Complete the top row throughout the room before proceeding to the bottom.

How do you fill the gap between drywall and ceiling?

Should drywall be hung vertically or horizontally?

Final Thoughts. In short, drywall should be hung horizontally on residential buildings and vertically on commercial buildings. In the case of either, support beams should always run perpendicular to the wall studs at a distance of 24 inches (61 cm) apart.

How much gap should be between sheets of drywall?

Always leave a 1/2-inch gap at the floor. This allows for floor and wall expansion without cracking the drywall.

What goes first drywall or flooring?

When you're hanging drywall and installing new flooring, it's usually best to hang the drywall first and then save the floor for last.

Why do you hang drywall vertically?

Structural strength – Drywall is typically stronger when hung in the long direction than it is in the short direction, which means less chance of sagging when attached perpendicular.

Can you hang drywall upside down?

If you hang drywall backwards, the rougher backing material will be visible through paint. Also, drywall has beveled edges that ease the process of drywall finishing. Drywall finishers embed paper drywall tape along the seams, so installing the tape within the bevel makes the taped seam rest below a flush level.

Why is drywall installed from the top down?

The reason these walls must be installed first, including top-down gypsum wallboard, is because the MEP installations will block access to these walls, affecting life-safety of the partitions, and safety hazards for tradespersons.

Should drywall end on stud?

Drywall Is Not on a Stud

All edges of all sheets of drywall must land on a solid surface such as a stud. A hanging drywall edge may work in the short-term, but in the long-term it can result in cracks and other serious wall issues. Sometimes, the drywall does not horizontally reach a stud.

What drywall is best for ceilings?

5/8-inch thick drywall is the best drywall thickness for ceilings. Although you can use any type of drywall for ceilings as long as its installed correctly (even ultralight 1/4-inch thick drywall), a thicker panel is best. 5/8-inch thick drywall is the sturdiest which prevents sagging between ceiling joists.

Should drywall be glued and screwed?

A best practice is to nail or screw the edges of the board, but only use screws in the field. Using adhesive for drywall reduces the need for screws in the field or middle of the board but some are still needed.

What is the screw pattern for drywall?

Drywall screws pattern

A general rule of thumb is that drywall screws should be installed every 12 inches. This means that when using 48 inch wide sheets, you will have 5 screws in each stud when the sheets are hung perpendicular to the framing; two on the edges and 3 in the field.

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.