Installing Drywall
Installing Drywall requires planning and gathering of all materials. You need to figure out how much drywall is needed. The sheets are available in standard 4 X 8 feet as well as 10 foot and 12 foot with thickness 1/2 inch for walls and 5/8 inch for ceilings. The wall sheets are installed from floor to ceiling. You should however keep in mind that too many joints should be avoided.
Also get the necessary quantity of nails, tape rolls, pasting compound. As a thumb rule, 1,000 square feet of drywall requires about seven pounds of coated drywall nails, a five-gallon pail of joint compound in mixed form, and a 500-foot roll of tape. While Installing Drywall you can confirm with your dealer on the exact requirements on your project
After gathering all the tools and materials, take the help of an assistant to cut and install panels. The first step in Installing Drywall is to make a pair of T-braces from 2 X 4s. These should be an inch more than the distance from floor to ceiling. Then nail the 2X4s to one end of the longer ones. It should be about 3 feet so as to form the T. However, for convenience sake T-braces can be rented too.
The second step towards Installing Drywall is to cut the panels. Using a sharp knife cut the drywall panels according to size. Then place the board over a length of 2X4 laid on the floor and close the scored part. This will cause the gypsum core to break along the line. Turning the panel over, the paper on the other side is cut and by using sandpaper the rough edges are smoothened.
The next step is Installing Drywall panels on the wall in such a manner as to reduce joints. The T- braces are used to hold the drywall in place until it is properly nailed. You should nail at 6 inch intervals into all the seams covered by the sheet but 4 inches away from the ceiling. The key is to start at the middle and work your way outwards. Do keep in mind that cutouts have to be made in the drywall to make way for electrical outlets, switches, or light fixtures. These have to be done using correct measurements.
After Installing Drywall taping has to be done. Taping the joints require practice therefore its best to call an experienced taper to give the finishing touches.