How to Hang Drywall

Holding the first sheet horizontally across the ceiling and close to the corner, align both vertical sides with studs. Hammer in a few nails to hold it in place.

Measure the remaining space, adding 1/4 inch for easier installation. Mark and score the front side of the second drywall panel. Snap the front side (gypsum) and cut the paper backing with a knife; smooth rough edges with a rasp. A rasp is a rough file that scrapes away the edges of hard materials.

Tack the second piece into place with ring drywall nails. Ring drywall nails are powerful fasteners characterized by rings around the nail to create more friction with the wood, holding it in place better than traditional nails.

Mark the studs so you know where to drive the screws.

Drive screws into the studs – about 16 inches apart in the middle and about 8 inches along the vertical joints. Keep the screws 3/8 inch from the edge.

Measure and cut the height and width for the bottom row using the score-snap-rasp method above.

Mark electrical boxes on the bottom row of panels. To do this, measure from the bottom of the top panel to the top of the electrical box. Transfer the mark to the new piece of drywall.

Measure the height and width of the electrical box and create a pattern on the new piece of drywall. Use a drywall saw to cut out the rectangular pattern for the electrical box.

Hold the panel into place using a foot lift. Keep it 1/2 inch off the floor and tack some nails in to hold it.

Hang the next piece and go back to drive all the screws into place.

To cut out windows and doors, hang the top row of drywall and make the cutout with a saw. Avoid creating a joint at the door or window corner. This will increase the odds of cracks later.

 Hang the bottom panel, avoiding seam creation at window corners, and make the cutout with a saw.

For inside corners, don’t force the pieces tight together – this will cause crumbling and breakage later. Cut it to leave about 1/8 inch of wiggle room. You will fill the gap with joint compound later.

For outside corners, let the panel overhang the corner on one side. Hang the adjacent panel, touching the back side of the overhang, and secure it. Cut away the excess.

Using mesh tape – which hides seams more effectively than paper tape – cover the vertical joints, or butt joints, first, pressing it firmly into place with a drywall knife. Then cover the horizontal seams. Finally, cover the corners.

On the inside corners, apply joint compound to each side and crease paper tape along the centerline. Press it into place with your fingers. Without cutting the tape, run your knife carefully down one side and then the other to create a firm fit.

On the outside corners, apply a layer of compound to either side of the corner. Cut paper beading to fit the height of the wall and press it into place with your fingers. Run a drywall knife over the beading to ensure a tight fit and simultaneously remove excess compound.

Finally, using a drywall knife, coat the fasteners with a layer of compound.

Use a 10-inch knife to feather the edges wide so that it blends with the wall, and then lightly run the knife over the middle. When you’re finished with the second coat, the compound should be about 10-12 inches wide.

For inside corners, use a 6-inch drywall knife to feather the compound along one side only. You’ll do the other side on the third coat.

For outside corners, use a 10-inch knife to apply compound to both sides. Feather the second layer out past the first layer to blend the edges with the wall.

Apply a second coat of compound over all fasteners.

Apply joint compound to the seams and feather the edges again.

Check the vertical seams by holding a flat-edge trowel with the blade perpendicular to the wall to see how far you need to feather out the coats.

Apply compound to the other side of the inside corner.

Cover the fasteners again, if needed.

Using a paint roller, work in 4-foot sections to roll on a finish compound.

Immediately remove the excess with a 12-inch drywall knife.

Let the skim coat dry for 24 hours, then lightly sand.

Finish the job with a coat or two of interior paint.