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 you install drywall from the top or 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.

Do you hang drywall up and down or side to side?

As a general rule, for commercial buildings, drywall should be installed vertically. On the other hand, for residential buildings, it's best to install drywall horizontally to increase structural shear strength.

Does it matter which way you install drywall?

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.

Which way do you hang drywall 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.

How Much Money Can You Save Hanging Drywall Vertically or Horizontally - Taping And Finishing

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.

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.

Why is residential drywall hung horizontally?

Horizontal hanging reduces the lineal footage of seams by about 25%. Keeping the footage of seams to a minimum will result in less taping and a better looking finished job. Hanging horizontally also allows the drywall to flow over the framing so that bowed studs create less of a problem.

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. There are several reasons for this: Drywall absorbs moisture.

Why is it important to install the drywall on the ceiling before the walls?

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.

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.

Do drywall edges need to be on studs?

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.

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.

Should you put drywall on ceiling or wall first?

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 caulk the bottom of drywall?

The best way to cover the gap between drywall and the floor is to place a baseboard overtop of it. You can then run a small bead of clear silicone caulk at the top of the baseboard to seal it.

Should you caulk behind baseboards?

Caulk on both the top and bottom edge of the baseboards closes the gaps to keep the bugs out. It's more effective, cheaper, easier, and safer than hassling with insecticide sprays and powders to protect your walls. Aesthetics are another good reason to caulk.

Can you store drywall standing up?

If you need to store your drywall standing up, make sure to protect the bottom edge and protect it from moisture risk. Also, make sure to lean your first piece at around four or five inches from the wall. Storing drywall sheets against a wall with a lean of less than four inches creates a serious tipping hazard.

Why does drywall have tapered edges?

Tapered joints allow you to fill in the valley created by the tapers with drywall tape and drywall compound, thus creating a smooth, seam-free joint. The joint is essentially buried underneath the drywall compound. Butt joints will always initially produce a ridge.

How far should drywall be off the floor?

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. Wear work gloves, safety goggles and a dust mask when hanging drywall.

How far should drywall screws go into studs?

As you finish, the head of the screw should be just barely recessed below the surface, no more than 1/8 inch.

What's the difference in 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.

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.

Why do people stagger drywall?

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. Strength is the number one reason contractors site for staggering drywall joints.