How To Install Drywall
Related Articles: drywall in wet location, quality drywall, drywalling tips
DEAR TIM: What is the proper way to drywall? Should I butt the pieces of drywall very close together or leave a space between pieces of drywall? Anne S., Tampa, FL
DEAR ANNE: The proper way to install drywall is to butt pieces together tightly. Do this on all flat surfaces such as walls and ceilings. But in corners, I always cut the drywall so there was a one-eighth to one-quarter-inch gap between the two pieces as they meet in a corner. If you try to cut drywall so it fits tightly in corners, you will get frustrated in a big hurry.
The frustration is caused by the rough cut edge of the drywall. When you score a piece of drywall with a razor knife and then snap it in two, the resulting edge is rough. These bumps often stick past your pencil line or razor cut line making the piece of drywall longer than what you want it.
The rough bumps can be quickly removed with a special, small rasp. Professional sheetrock hangers always have one of these in their tool belt. This is a secret trick not often seen by do-it-yourselfers. But rasping off the edges does create additional dust, so keep this in mind.
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bob 05 Apr 2008, 17:31
I have sheet rock that has one side white, the other side is yellow with
black writing. Does it matter which side is spackled and painted.
Thank you, Bob
AsktheBuilder 09 Apr 2008, 17:06
Bob,
The white side faces out. You finish the white side.
chuck 30 Apr 2008, 15:59
Tim
I am installing a corner moulding how do you attach the corner piece to the drywall.,I tried drywall screws. Are there nails I can use. The screw head seems to high thanks
Joe 13 Jun 2008, 20:45
Tim
I am going to assume that beacause the green side is the waterproof side of the board it should always face out? Joe
Peggy Rock 23 Jul 2008, 15:27
We need to sheet rock the third floor of an 1850s brick house but the
stairs up there turn and are very narrow. How do we get the drywall sheets
up the stairs? Cut them in half? Take down the wall? Is there something
other than drywall that we could use?
Thank you. I am stumped on this one as there is no window big enough to bring it through either. Peggy
Mel 10 Feb 2009, 09:26
Which side of water resistant wall board faces out. The green or the gray
side?
Jim Pacheco 08 Jul 2009, 16:30
I am installing greenboard drywall in my basement closet.The wall has a
3/4"gap which has 3/4" styrofoam fitted between the studs.
My question is do I face the green color of the drywall to the styrofoam/concrete wall side or to the inside of the closet which will be painted? The part I am drywalling is approx.60"x64". Thank you!
AZJoel 21 Aug 2009, 23:46
My drywall sheets have a grey side and a purple side, which gets finished?
ric harris 20 Dec 2009, 12:56
I would like to know the correct way to tape and mud the drywall seams
SUNSHINE 16 Mar 2010, 08:51
HOW DO YOU FIT DRYWALL IF THE ROOM IS NOT PLUM. WE HAVE THIS PROBLEM ON
CEILINGS AND WALLS. DO YOU ANGLE CUT THE DRYWALL TO FIT OR GO WITH THE
SMALLER DIMENSION..HANG STRAIGHT AND MUD IN THE REST?
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