| Installing Drywall |
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Drywall is still the most popular wall sheathing material today. It’s relatively easy to install, though many do-it-yourselfers opt to hire someone to come in and tape it for them. Taping is a skill. I introduced drywall elsewhere on this website. As a brief summary, drywall is an engineered building panel made from gypsum and other materials in a paper cover. It’s also called gypsum, wallboard, plasterboard, or Sheetrock. Drywall comes in 4 ft. wide sheets in lengths of 8, 12, and 16 ft., however the shorter lengths are preferred by do-it-yourselfers because of the weight and difficulty in handling longer lengths. Preferred thickness for walls is 1/2 in. Also available are 3/8 in. (to cut costs) and 5/8 in. (for additional support). If you’ve already installed drywall on the basement’s ceiling, installing it on the walls will be relatively easy. The widest part of the first sheets are butted to the ceiling then attached to studs with drywall nails or screws. Once the top course is done, measure the lower section of the wall to within 1/4 in. of the floor and cut a sheet to fit. If you’re installing a suspended or tile ceiling the walls go up before the ceiling. Butt the sheets up to the joists and attach them to studs with drywall nails or screws. Then cut and install the lower course of drywall. Finally, install the ceiling system. Drywall sheets are staggered on the wall. The first row starts with a full sheet and the second row starts with a half-sheet to keep the drywall sheet joints 4 ft. apart.
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