DON'T DO this when Hanging Drywall
There are many right ways to do things. There are also many wrong ways. DON'T HANG YOUR DRYWALL PROJECT this way. I will step through the reasons why you should pay attention to the way you hang your drywall even on small project.
Transcript:
Don’t Do This When Hanging Drywall
Hello, I'm Dennis from Home Rehab Pros. Today, I'll be sharing valuable insights on how to hang drywall correctly. I have a small project at hand - a small bedroom. Although someone else initially installed the drywall, I'll be taping, finishing, and painting it. This project provides a great opportunity to discuss the do's and don'ts of drywall hanging. Let's dive in.
Ceiling Installation: Starting with the ceilings, the room measures about 12 feet in length and 10 feet in width. Here's what was done correctly: the drywall was hung along the part of the ceiling where the ceiling joists run. This is the right approach, as drywall should be hung across the joists, not parallel to them. Doing so provides maximum strength and prevents sagging, particularly on the ceiling.
The Proper Technique: They began by placing the first sheet along the outer wall, followed by a two-foot strip, and then a four-foot sheet that extended to the wall. However, an error was made here. We often advise avoiding butt joints whenever possible. Instead, aim to align recesses with recesses. Unfortunately, they violated this principle by placing a butt joint in the center. This created a 12-foot-long butt joint. Although it can be taped, it's better to have a recessed joint.
A Better Approach: To correct this, they should have hung the first sheet, then placed the next sheet adjacent, creating a recessed joint. By positioning the cut edge against the wall and aligning the recesses, they could have easily avoided this mistake. Simple adjustments to the order of installation can significantly enhance the outcome.
Other Considerations: Additionally, an issue arises with another butt joint where the room exceeded the length of the drywall sheet. It's crucial to stagger butt joints across different joists. This way, you're only dealing with four-foot intervals of butt joints. This minimizes the risk of cracks spanning the entire length of the ceiling.
Wall Installation: Now, let's discuss wall installation. In residential wood construction, drywall should be hung horizontally. While the top sheet is placed first to eliminate the gap at the angle, the following sheets should be aligned horizontally. This approach works best with wood studs, which lack the flexibility of steel studs.
Stress Points and Joint Placement: Placing butt joints near openings creates stress points, increasing the likelihood of cracks. To avoid this, ensure the drywall ends in the middle of a window or door rather than along the edges. This distributes stress and reinforces the joint, making it less prone to cracking.
Horizontal Seams: For the best results, create horizontal seams along the studs, just as we did with the ceiling. This maximizes the drywall's strength and stability. By aligning the recesses and maintaining a tight seam, you can achieve a professional finish.
Conclusion: In summary, proper drywall hanging involves essential techniques such as recess-to-recess alignment, staggering butt joints, and horizontal seam placement. Remember to hang drywall horizontally on wood studs to ensure a high-quality result. If you're considering a drywall project in your home, don't hesitate to dive in. Equip yourself with the necessary tools and tackle the task confidently. Feel free to leave comments or questions, and don't forget to like and subscribe to our channel for more helpful tips. Thank you for watching. This is Dennis from Home Rehab Pros.