How to Install Drywall | Hanging Drywall | Sheetrock Installation …

Detailed Instructions for Hanging Drywall and Sheetrock Installation

By Mark J. Donovan

Installing Drywall, or hanging drywall as the professionals usually refer to the task, can be done by the homeowner. However, it is usually best done with two or more people as it requires significant lifting of heavy material. Mudding and Taping of sheetrock or drywall can also be performed by the homeowner, however these tasks require some practice and artistry.

Prior to actually installing drywall or sheetrock, the material first needs to be ordered and delivered. To determine how much drywall / sheetrock to order, measure all of the surface area, starting with the ceilings and then the walls.

Calculate the total square feet and divide by 32. The result should give you the number of 4x 8 sheets of drywall / sheetrock required for the job. I would also recommend adding another 5-10% to this figure to account for inefficiencies and waste when installing drywall. Drywall does come in larger sheets, such as 4x12, however for a Do-it-Yourself homeowner these larger drywall sheets can become unwieldy and maybe even impossible to bring into the existing home.

For bathrooms or other moist areas Greenboard should probably be used as this material is moisture resistance.

For bathroom areas where ceramic tile is to be applied, e.g. Shower/Bathtub areas, Concrete board should be used. The concrete board is also referred to as Wonderboard or Durock.

Joint Compound and Fiberglass tape will also be required for Taping and Mudding the installed drywall. Joint Compound typically comes ready-mixed in 5 gallon containers. I would suggest 1-2 containers per 500 square feet of drywall. Fiberglass tape is quite inexpensive so I would suggest picking up 2 to 3 roles for most Do-it-Yourself drywall projects.

Drywall screws or ringed nails will also be required for hanging drywall. Typically I use 1.5 length screws or nails for 1/2" sheetrock, and 1 and 5/8" length screws or nails for 5/8" sheetrock. Also, strips of corner bead will be required.

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How to Install Drywall | Hanging Drywall | Sheetrock Installation ...