How to Hang Drywall: 4 Tips for Hanging Drywall

Drywall—also known as sheetrock, cement board, wallboard, or gypsum board—is available in two forms: drywall panels or joint compound. Manufacturers produce drywall panels of gypsum (calcium sulfate dihydrate) that feature sheets of paper coverings on both sides. The coverings maintain the board’s form so you can secure it to the wall with drywall screws or other fasteners.

New home construction projects typically use standard drywall panels to cover wall studs and fiberglass insulation. Some manufacturers produce different types of drywall with additives to improve functionality or meet specific building codes. For instance, greenboard is a more mold-resistant and water-resistant drywall option than gypsum plaster blueboard. The latter features layers of paper in different thicknesses to mimic the texture of plaster. You can even purchase soundproof drywall options for basements or offices.

Here are the materials you’ll need to hang your drywall:

1. 1. Corner beads: Corner beads are metal braces that you place over your newly installed drywall corners to protect them and create a clean angle.
2. 2. Drywall adhesive: In addition to nails, drywall adhesive is an excellent way to hold the drywall sheets in place. Apply the drywall adhesive directly to the studs before nailing in the drywall panels.
3. 3. Drywall nails: Nails are the fasteners that hold the sheets in place as you screw them in. You can identify drywall by the rings along the shaft that help keep them in place.
4. 4. Drywall saw: This saw will be most useful for cutting around electrical boxes in the wall.
5. 5. Drywall screws: Nails are sufficient as a temporary fastener, but screws provide much more strength to hold the drywall sheets to the studs underneath.
6. 6. Foot lift: A foot lift frees up your hands to nail in drywall while keeping it suspended above the floor to make room for the baseboard.
7. 7. Hammer: Choose a hammer you feel comfortable with to nail the drywall into place.
8. 8. Joint compound: Spread joint compound over the drywall seams after hanging them to help seal the sheets in place and provide a smooth surface for when you finish the wall.
9. 9. Mesh drywall tape: Your drywall tape will be the first protective coat you layer over the seams. In addition to staving off moisture, adhering drywall tape is the first of several steps taken to hold the drywall sheets firmly in place.
10. 10. Nail protector plates: Place protector plates over the areas of the wall studs through which the electrical wiring runs. Covering up the wiring before you begin ensures that you don’t accidentally damage your electrical system.
11. 11. Putty knife: In addition to spreading joint compound, a putty knife is a handy tool for checking the wall for protruding screws.
12. 12. Screw gun: A screw gun will drive screws into the wall with the pull of a trigger, so you don’t need to turn each one individually.
13. 13. Surform or rasp tool: This tool will help refine the edges of your drywall sheets after you cut them. By rubbing the tool up and down the newly cut edge, you can create a smoother edge that’s easier to position alongside other sheets.
14. 14. T-square: A T-square comprises two interlocking straight edges that meet at a right angle. The top of the T braces against the top of the drywall sheet, allowing you to make straight, precise cuts.
15. 15. Tape measure: Your tape measure should be long enough to measure along a full sheet of drywall. Learn how to read a tape measure.
16. 16. Utility knife: Your utility knife should be sharp enough to score your drywall.

Before you begin your remodel or construction project, there are a few pointers to consider:

1. 1. Pick the right drywall. Drywall comes in a variety of thicknesses and types. Opt for a mold-resistant drywall panel if you plan to install drywall in a bathroom or other humid environment. Otherwise, a standard half-inch or five-eighths-inch drywall panel will work for most projects.
2. 2. Hang horizontally rather than vertically. Hanging your drywall sheets horizontally rather than vertically will reduce the number of seams you’ll need to cover up later.
3. 3. Cut sheets a quarter-inch shorter than necessary. Cutting your sheets slightly smaller than you need will ensure that you don’t have to jam your drywall sheets together to make them fit in the space. Cover up the seams with joint compound.
4. 4. Place seams away from window or door openings. Placing seams over window or door openings increases the chances of your drywall cracking. Plan ahead so that your seams end up away from windows and doors.

Once you’ve assembled your materials, it’s time for the drywall installation.

1. 1. Cover wiring with nail protector plates. Identify where your wiring runs through the studs and install nail protector plates over those areas.
2. 2. Measure and cut the drywall. Measure the wall to the middle of the wall studs. Then use your T-square to score the surface of the drywall with a utility knife. Next, fold the drywall back and finish cutting along the fold. If installing drywall around a door or window, measure the area and then use a drywall saw to create the cutout.
3. 3. Sand the drywall. Use your rasp or surform to smooth along the edge where you cut the drywall.
4. 4. Apply adhesive to the studs. Applying drywall adhesive directly to the studs will make it easier to nail in the drywall panels.
5. 5. Nail the drywall into position. Holding the drywall in place using a foot lift, press the drywall against the studs and nail it into place. Avoid placing the nails too close to the edge of the sheet.
6. 6. Fasten in place with screws. Using your screw gun, drive screws into the drywall about every sixteen inches. Try to make the screw heads level with the surface of the drywall.
7. 7. Check for evenness. Run your putty knife over each screw. If you encounter resistance, it means the screw isn’t level with the wall and needs tightening.
8. 8. Cover the seams. Using mesh drywall tape, cover the vertical seams then the horizontal seams. Screw your corner beads in place where needed. Next, use your putty knife to apply your first coat of joint compound over the tape. Now you’re ready to finish the drywall with one to two more coats of compound, sanding in between coats to create a smooth surface for paint or wallpaper.

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