Does it matter which way you hang drywall on the ceiling?

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.

Should you hang drywall horizontally or vertically?

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.

Does it matter which way drywall faces?

Function. The brown side of drywall should not face out. The other side -- which can be gray, green or blue, depending on type -- should face outward. Failure to orient the drywall correctly will lead to surfaces that look rough and unfinished even when painted.

When hanging drywall do you hang the ceiling first?

Hanging Drywall From the Top Down

Hang drywall on the ceiling first, then the walls. Check the ceiling for bowed joists using a 4-ft. level. Irregularities less than 1/8 in.

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.

Hang Drywall on the Ceiling the Right Way

Does it matter if you drywall ceiling or walls 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 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.

Should drywall be butted tight?

Vertical joints in drywall are also called "butt joints." Always leave a 1/2-inch gap at the floor. This allows for floor and wall expansion without cracking the drywall. It also helps prevents moisture wicking if the floor floods.

Is there a right and wrong side to drywall?

The most effective method is to hang drywall so that the correct side faces outward. In other words, the side with brown paper should face the wood framing, and the light gray and beveled side should face outward.

Which side of mold resistant drywall faces out?

The green side should face toward you when you install greenboard. The brownish side should face away. Another way to identify the correct side is to install the greenboard so the beveled edges face outward. The beveled edges run the length of the board along the top and bottom.

Do drywall seams have to be on a 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.

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.

Should drywall 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.

Why do you drywall the ceiling first?

The primary reason that you want to start with the ceiling pieces first in installing drywall is for additional support. When you attach the ceiling sheets first, you can reinforce them with the wall pieces which will serve as a source of stability.

What are two common mistakes made during Drywalling?

Why do you leave a gap at the bottom of drywall?

If one sheet is out of level, large gaps can occur either between sheets or between the drywall and the ceiling. Floors and walls both expand and contract as the weather changes. If the drywall is sitting directly on the floor, they will put pressure on each other when they expand. This is likely to crack the drywall.

How much space should be between drywall and stud?

This is the main reason that drywall is 4-ft wide and why studs are spaced at 16-inches. Because drywall is four feet it is divisible by 16. This means that each piece of drywall will be centered at each stud. This means you won't have to cut each piece of drywall if the walls are 8-ft tall, which is also the standard.

What size screw should I use for 1/2 drywall?

When determining what size screws for drywall you need, take into account the thickness of the drywall panels. When working with 1/2-inch drywall panels, use 1-1/4 or 1-3/8-inch nails or screws. When working with 5/8-inch drywall panels, use 1-3/8-inch or 1-5/8-inch screws.

How do you fill the gap between drywall and ceiling?