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Installing Drywall to Ceilings and Walls

By Jeff Beneke, About.com

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Attach the Drywall

If you are covering both walls and ceiling, begin with the ceiling. When attaching drywall to ceiling joists spaced 16 inches on center, fasteners should be spaced 12 inches apart. On wall studs, the maximum spacing between fasteners should be 16 inches. Drive screws into each stud beneath the panel.

Attach fasteners every 8 inches along the untapered edges, but keep them at least 3/8 inch from the edge to avoid damaging the gypsum core. When using nails, plan to “double nail” (i.e., drive a second nail 2 inches from the first at each fastener location) along the face of the drywall.

After covering the ceiling, attach the top sheets to the wall. Before doing so, though, mark the locations of the wall studs on the edges of the ceiling drywall with a pencil. This will make it easier to find the stud centers when driving screws into the wall panels.

Once the stud locations have been marked, lift the panel into position. Drive a screw at the bottom of the panel into a center stud, then work your way out and up the panel. Lift the panel into place on the screws, then grab your screwgun in one hand while sliding the panel into position with your other hand and shoulder.

Bottom panels should fit snugly against the top panels. The easiest way to manage this is to use a drywall lifter. Commercial models are best, but you can make a suitable lever out of a couple scraps of lumber.

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