Installing Sheetrock

Installing sheetrock may seem like a daunting task, but many homeowners with basic home improvement skills can handle the job. You’ll save a significant amount of money on sheetrock and have the satisfaction of knowing you completed the work yourself.

Having the proper tools on hand is essential when installing sheetrock. Items needed for the job include:

• Sheetrock: Use a sheetrock calculator to determine how many sheets you’ll need for the room.
• Sheetrock tape: This tape is specifically made for the seams of sheetrock.
• Joint compound: Also known as mud, the joint compound is used at the joints of the drywall.
• Sheetrock Screws: These special screws are used to affix the sheetrock to the studs.
• Drill or electric screwdriver
• Putty knife
• Utility knife
• Tape measure
• Jig saw

The materials are purchased and you’re itching to get starting on your sheetrock installation. Installing sheetrock is a project best completed with at least one additional set of hands. This makes it easier to position and secure the sheets on the wall. These tips will get your sheetrock project moving:

• Determine if you will install the sheetrock horizontally or vertically. Either method is acceptable with the final decision mainly being personal preference. Some experts feel that horizontal installation reduces the amount of seams, creating a better finished product. Installing sheetrock vertically gives you the option of purchasing sheets the same height as the room, possibly reducing the amount of cuts needed.
• Start the installation at the ceiling in one corner. Complete the sheetrock from the ceiling down. If you can’t fit an entire sheet of sheetrock on the last row, it will be less noticeable at the bottom of the room where it is more likely to be hidden by furniture.
• Make sure the edges of each piece of sheetrock end at a stud so you can secure both ends.
• Lift the sheetrock panel into place, marking any outlets, windows or other fixtures on the wall that need to be cut out. Use a measuring tape to mark the exact size of the hole so you don’t make it too large or too small. Use a jig saw to cut out the openings. Lift the sheetrock back in place to make sure the holes line up correctly.
• Holding the panel into place, use screws to hold the sheetrock into place. Make sure the sheetrock screws go into the studs, with about 8 inches between each screw. You want the screws to create a slight dimple without breaking the paper on the sheetrock.
• Continue working around the room following the process for each sheet.

The final steps of installing sheetrock are sometimes called taping and mudding. The process seals the joints of the sheetrock and creates a seamless finish on the walls. It sounds easy enough but it is challenging to many people to achieve a smooth finished result.

• Apply a thin layer of joint compound to each seam in the sheetrock.
• Place mesh sheetrock tape over the joint compound before it sets.
• Apply another thin layer of joint compound over the tape, smoothing it with the putty knife to create an even finish.
• Apply joint compound to all of the screw dimples on the sheetrock.
• After the first round of joint compound is dry, apply a second coat to both the joints and the screw dimples. Use the putty knife to create a smooth finish. On the seam joints with tape, extend the joint compound about two to three inches beyond the edges of the tape to help it blend in with the wall. The joint compound on the screw dimples should create a 3 to 4 inch circle around each screw.
• Apply a very thin final layer of joint compound if necessary to create a finished look. A light sanding before the final application helps eliminate any bumps or rough spots on previous applications.

Installing sheetrock is a time consuming yet rewarding home improvement project. With patience and practice, you can install your own sheetrock in a new home or remodeling project.

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