Asked by: Karmelo Haak
hobbies and interests woodworking

What goes first ceiling or walls?

24
Hang drywall on the ceiling first, then the walls. Check the ceiling for bowed joists using a 4-ft. level. Irregularities less than 1/8 in.


Consequently, which way do you hang drywall on a ceiling?

Installation starts in one corner of the ceiling with the length of the drywall panels running perpendicular to the direction of the ceiling joists. If the room is wider than the length of the panels, measure and cut additional panels so the panels meet on the center of a joist.

Subsequently, question is, do you stagger drywall on ceilings? It's not necessary to stagger seams on ceiling drywall. However, because these joints are relatively difficult to finish—and tend to be noticeable in the finished product—it's a good idea to stagger the drywall panels to make the joints less visible.

Herein, does it matter which way you hang drywall?

On commercial jobs, fire codes often require seams to fall on the entire length of the framing, so the drywall must be hung vertically. However, on residential jobs, the drywall on the walls is typically hung horizontally. For walls nine feet high or shorter, hanging the drywall horizontally has a number of benefits.

Should drywall touch the floor?

Drywall should definitely not touch concrete as moisture will wick (ie flow up the surface as in a candle/lamp wick) into the drywall and encourage mold growth. 3/8" should be sufficient - your prop up plan is not only appropriate, but a common technique used by drywallers.

Related Question Answers

Xinbo Weingard

Professional

How many screws do you put in sheetrock on the ceiling?

In standard home construction, about 28 screws are needed to properly attach a 4-by-8-foot piece of drywall. That's if the panel is going on a wall. If it's going on a ceiling, it'll take about 36 screws.

Rangel Tzagunov

Explainer

Do you hang drywall on ceiling first?

Hanging Drywall From the Top Down
Hang drywall on the ceiling first, then the walls. Check the ceiling for bowed joists using a 4-ft. level. Irregularities less than 1/8 in. are of no concern, but seriously warped framing will require you to use drywall shims--long strips of 1/8- or 1/16-in.-thick cardboard.

Khadjou Bourguignon

Explainer

What size drywall do you put on a ceiling?

1/2-inch: Half-inch drywall panels are the standard thickness for interior walls, as well as ceilings. 5/8-inch: These panels are commonly used for ceilings, or for walls that require a prescribed fire-resistant rating.

Rommel Fuentetaja

Explainer

What is code for drywall on ceilings?

Most building codes mandate either 1/2 or 5/8 inch drywall for single-thickness applications. Thinner ¼ and 3/8 inch to be used to cover existing walls and ceilings.

Gelasio Renaudin

Pundit

What thickness drywall is used for ceilings?

The thickest option available, 5/8-inch drywall is ideal for commercial construction applications. 5/8-inch thick drywall is also referred to as firewall drywall. Its thickness makes it the ideal drywall for soundproofing in noisy buildings. 5/8-inch drywall can be used on walls, and will not sag when used on ceilings.

Anamaria Ubalde

Pundit

Is it better to hang drywall vertical or horizontal?

Hang the drywall vertically in rooms with high ceilings like foyers and open two-story living areas. But for the majority of rooms, including bathrooms, hallways, and areas where the walls are shorter than nine feet, hanging drywall horizontally is your best bet.

Iouri Ruediger

Pundit

Does drywall have to end on stud?

Keep in mind that all pieces of drywall should begin and end on a stud. You should never have a piece of drywall overhanging a stud, or two pieces of drywall meeting in the open spaces between studs. If your stud walls were properly constructed on 16" centers, you should have very few problems with this.

Rubye Jansky

Pundit

How far should drywall be off the floor?

Always leave a 1/2-inch gap at the floor. This allows for floor and wall expansion without cracking the drywall. It also helps prevents moisture wicking if the floor floods.

Gorane Astalarra

Pundit

How far should drywall screws be apart?

Field: 16 inches apart
Both the International Residential Code (IRC) and USG, the manufacturer of Sheetrock, say that maximum field screw spacing for wall drywall is 16 inches. Some builders like to space fasteners tighter than that, so they go down to 12 inches.

Mertie Tokovoi

Teacher

How much drywall can man hang in 8 hours?

Each man should be able to hang 35 to 40 sheets an eight hour day.

Faical Herrchen

Teacher

Can you put drywall up backwards?

If you hang drywall backwards, the rougher backing material will be visible through paint. Also, drywall has beveled edges that ease the process of drywall finishing. Drywall finishers embed paper drywall tape along the seams, so installing the tape within the bevel makes the taped seam rest below a flush level.

Bose Harkovchuk

Teacher

How many coats of drywall mud do I need?

Apply three or more coats of very thin compound rather than one or two heavier coats. Yes, it takes time for the compound to dry, but don't try to rush the drywall taping process along by applying fewer, thicker coats.

Salvi Mandl

Teacher

Why do you hang drywall vertically?

Commercial: Hang the drywall vertically. Hides uneven studs – Hanging horizontally also allows the drywall to flow over the framing so that bowed studs create less of a problem. If the drywall were hung vertically and a seam placed on a bowed out stud, the seam would be magnified because of the bump in the wall.

Kima Aggelen

Reviewer

Why do nails pop out of drywall?

Drywall nails pop out because they are nails. They have smooth shanks, and any stress caused by movement of the framing can loosen their grip. A series of popped nails on a wall often signifies truss uplift or foundation settling.

Kintuillang Guzzo

Reviewer

Where do I start with drywall?

Start With the Right Layout
While amateurs often install drywall panels vertically, so that the long seams align along a stud, this is not the usual professional method. Instead, begin in one upper corner of the room and install panels horizontally with the top edge against the ceiling.

Yanyun Gavris

Reviewer

How much do you charge to hang drywall?

The cost to install drywall is about $1.50 per square foot.
After material and labor are added in, the cost per panel can range from around $40.00 to $60.00. A typical 12x12 room, for example, will use 12 panels. This would put the cost at $480.00-$720.00.

Osel Lindhaus

Reviewer

How long does it take to drywall a house?

Drywall installation takes as little as one day and as long as four weeks, including the time it takes to prep and clean up debris. The amount of time depends on the size of the project, framing needs, and level of finish.

Kenneth Bodenbenner

Supporter

How do you hang things on drywall?

To use toggle bolts, drill a hole large enough for both the screw and toggle to be inserted into your drywall. Fit the item you wish to anchor over the bolt, insert the toggle and tighten. This will anchor the toggle to the inside of your drywall, creating a very study place to hang heavy loads.

Divino Igola

Supporter

Do I need to remove existing drywall before framing an interior wall?

Attaching a wall to drywall without a stud
If, and only if, you have a solid attachment point in the floor and ceiling (meaning joists) within about 1' of the wall edge, you can avoid opening the drywall. Use a few zinc drywall anchors (probably one every 16"). Remove the 2x4" and put the anchors into the drywall.