1.) Proper installation leaves few seams.
2.) Hanging 8 foot sheets instead of 12 or 14 foot sheets will cost you money.
3.) Hang ceilings first. See below
Following are some of the do's and dont's of drywall hanging, which if followed, will help you save time and money, will lessen the dust and debris in the end, and will greatly improve the long term quality and resale value of your finished product.
Screws and nails must be counter sunk 1/16 inch.
Counter sinking more than 1/16th of an inch risks damaging the drywall and compromises its strength.
Counter sinking less than 1/16th of an inch requires extra labor when finishing. If the screw or nail is not counter sunk 1/16th of an inch, it's surface shows through the finish, and is susceptible to corrosion.
Incorrect
Correct
Incorrect
This is called a "railroad" end seam.
More likely to crack later on.
Seams made this way are expensive to hide.
Below is a picture of the correct placement of seams:
Correct
First hang the ceilings, placing end seams as shown, fastening with the number of screws shown
Next, hang the top row of wall, keeping them tight to the ceiling as shown. Fasten as shown.
Last, hang the bottom row of sheets, again, keeping them tight to the row above them, raised up off of the floor.
The bottom row of drywall SHOULD NEVER TOUCH THE FLOOR. There is a tool called a "kicker" used to raise the sheed off of the floor and tight to the row above it.
Fasten as shown.
Following are two images of outlet boxes. The first was not cut out correctly. There is a blow out in one corner and the size of the gap cut around the box requires repair on all sides.
Incorrect
Below is an image of an outlet box that was cut out correctly.
One method for cutting out boxes within 1/8th of an inch is to use a router with a 1/8th inch drill bit. If using this method, take care not to damage the box itself. To use a router and drill bit well requires skill and much practice.
Correct
Cutting a smaller piece of drywall to fit in over a door as shown below is incorrect. This method places seams where cracks want to form. If for any reason the house shifts or expands and contracts, cracks in the finished product will form here.
This method also makes two seams to tape and finish instead of one.
Incorrect
Below is an image of a butt seam placed correctly over a door by hanging a full sheet over the door, then cutting out the door section after the sheet is in place.
Correct
Save money by following this rule
For rooms with 9 foot ceilings or higher, placement of the horizontal seams is very important.
Below is a picture of the incorrect way to place seams on a wall. Pro Walls charges extra to finish sites hung this way.
Incorrect
Below is a picture of the correct placement of the seams:
Correct
