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.

Should ceiling or walls be Drywalled first?

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 ceiling drywall 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.

Does ceiling drywall go up 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 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.

How to Hang Drywall Ceilings -- by Home Repair Tutor

Should I hang drywall 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. However, on residential jobs, the drywall on the walls is typically hung horizontally. For walls 9 feet high or shorter, hanging the drywall horizontally has a number of benefits.

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.

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.

Why do you stagger drywall?

Ultimately, staggered seams are stronger because the joints – the weakest part of the wall or ceiling installation – are minimized. Staggered joints are also less visible and easier to conceal for a flawless finish, offering a smoother, more professional look to the completed job.

What order do you tape drywall seams?

The order of taping is the same: Do screw indentations and beveled joints first, inside and outside corners next, and butt joints last.

How do you fill the gap between drywall and ceiling?

Should there be a gap between drywall and floor?

It might sound counter intuitive at first to leave space between your floor and your wall, but you should always leave a ½ inch to ⅝ inch gap between drywall and the floor.

How many screws go into a sheet of drywall?

So, how many screws are needed per sheet of drywall? The short answer: 28 screws are needed for attaching a 4-by-8 sheet of drywall. If it's 4-by-12, it'll take about 36 screws. When screwing drywall sheets (4-by-8) to the studs vertically, use four screws, and start at the top.

How often should drywall be screwed?

Drywall screws should typically be placed about 12 to 16 inches apart. However, the spacing changes when hanging drywall edges and ceilings.

Does it matter which side of the drywall faces out?

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.

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.

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.

What size screws 1/2 inch drywall?

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. To properly secure drywall, the right number of drywall fasteners should be used.

Do you overlap drywall corners?

It doesn't matter for the walls, although it is standard practice to put drywall on the ceiling first so that the edges rest on the top edge of the drywall that you apply to the walls.

Do you offset drywall seams?

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.