Are you thinking about starting a new project that includes drywall installation and taping? We have compiled a list of 10 tips for you related to drywall installation and taping. Drywall is one of the hardest trades to master; it takes a steady hand and well-experienced eye. Here\u2019s our top 10 things to know about drywall before you start any project. <\/p>\n
1. 5\/8″ or 1\/2″ Drywall?\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n 5\/8″ GWB (Gypsum Wallboard) is always better move than 1\/2″ GWB for thickness – it is a lot stiffer and hides framing imperfections.\u00a0 Nothing makes up for a day or two of extra work with long levels flattening walls and ceilings and checking for other framing problems that will become evident only at the end of the project when all the interior lighting is in place. Also 5\/8\u201d GWB may be necessary for fire rated walls. <\/p>\n 2. Reflective Lighting\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Reflective light (i.e. off adjacent bodies of water, like pools or ponds) can create visually unpleasant washes of light that show every imperfection. Due to this it is best to go full mud-coating and sand over complete surfaces that will get reflected light. <\/p>\n 3. Watch for Dust\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n When you\u2019re sanding compound off of drywall, the dust will flow everywhere. Before sanding drywall, you should always seal off any vents and turn off the air conditioning so it doesn\u2019t draw into the systems. When you\u2019re ready to sand drywall, without a doubt there will be dust. If you are working in only one isolated room in a house, put a plastic drop cloth at the doorway. If you don\u2019t want any dust, you can use sponges. The sponges will have to dry, though. <\/p>\n 4. Cabinets and Drywall\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Always double-check wall and ceiling flatness during taping wherever cabinets meet drywall. Once cabinets are installed an uneven wall or ceiling becomes all the more evident (even with scribes). <\/p>\n 5. Doors and Drywall\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Beauty is always in the details and we believe that the more you can reduce the visual signs of a wall assembly, the better. This requires that the interior doors be installed prior to drywall and we\u2019ve learned, they need to be secured well so they don\u2019t shift (or get shifted) during drywall hanging.\u00a0<\/p>\n 6. Minimize Seams in Drywall\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Start by hanging the drywall sheets vertically. The following is an example of what we do, let’s say there is a 10 feet wall, and we are using an 8-feet drywall, we cut out a 2 feet drywall section and add it to the top. For the next wall we do the same thing except this time we add the 2-feet drywall part to the bottom and then the 8-feet drywall part to the top, you want it to be staggered. <\/p>\n 7. Consider Layers of Drywall\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Thicker drywall offers a better measure of sound abatement and will also give you a much more rigid wall. Two layers of drywall can be used to hide any sort of imperfections you may have and give a more rigid surface for finishing. <\/p>\n 8. Keep Drywall Dry with Vapor Barrier<\/strong><\/p>\n A good thing to have on your exterior wall is vapor barrier. The moisture can cause mold and the vapor barrier will keep it from penetrating the back of the drywall. If you don\u2019t do the vapor barrier and you have a large exterior wall, you can get a mildew buildup behind the drywall, and then sometimes you\u2019ll get that little browning or blacking effect in the areas.<\/p>\n 9. Take Pictures<\/strong><\/p>\n Take your smartphone and start taking pictures of the drywall installation process. This can help identify any mistakes that could have been made and can help you improve. Also, this is very useful to have in different situations such as electrical wiring or plumbing pipes. Having this information to look back at is very valuable.\u00a0<\/p>\n