If you are currently thinking about a home or business remodeling project, then you mightwant to consider that hanging and finishing drywall takes a little knowhow. Of course, experience is always thebest teacher, but getting a little information before you start could save youa significant amount of time and money on your next project. The first decision you must make is what typeand thickness of drywall will best serve your particular situation. If you are installing drywall in an areawhere water or dampness might be an issue, then you will want to use what isoften referred to as green board. Thisis the type of drywall that is most often used in tub and showersurrounds. If moister is not a concern,then the next question would be, what thickness of drywall will best serve yourneeds?

Thicker sheets of drywall like ¾inch are often used to provide insulation or increased stability and securityonce installed. For most interior applications,¼ or ½ inch dry wall will suffice. The next stepwill be cutting the drywall to the needed dimensions. It is very important to keep in mind that, inmost residential and commercial construction, the studs will be 16 inches oncenter. When measuring a 4 foot by 8foot drywall sheet, you will need to measure to the center of the stud and notto the edge. This is because you willalmost always be butting another sheet up next to the one you are installing. Both sheets must meet in the center of the2x4 in order for there to be enough space to secure the two sheets. Once you have made your measurements, cut theboard on the outward facing side using a box knife. It is not necessary to cut all the waythrough the drywall. This can causepieces of the board to crumble or break off prematurely. Once the sheet is scored, it will easily snapapart along the line when pressure is applied.Sometimes laying the scored edge along a flat surface is helpful tothose with less experience. Once the sheet iscut to the desired dimensions, hold the drywall against the studs and use ascrew gun to secure it. Depending onyour application and the thickness of your drywall, usually a 2 inch drywall screwwill securely attach the sheet to the stud.One screw about every 12 to 16 inches is common. Again, using galvanized screws will be toyour advantage if weather or moister will be present. When fishing drywall, you will usually needat least two mud knives. A small knife, usually around 2 inches, ismost often used to cover the recessed screw heads.

A larger knife, usually around 6 inches, canbe used on the seams. It usually is agood idea to purchase a mud tray with sharp edges for cleaning your knivesduring use. Most premixed drywall muddries quickly and will cling to your knife causing clumps and streaks. Keeping your knife clean is the key to smoothfinishing. That being said,drywall finishing is more of an art than a science. There are many styles and techniques used byprofessionals. Most of which do not comeeasily to the novice drywall hanger.This is why I always recommend hiring a good drywall contractor tocomplete the finishing of a project. Theinitial hanging of the sheets is easily mastered and will save you some moneyif you can do it yourself. But theheadaches you will avoid by hiring someone that knows how to finish the jobwill be worth every penny you might spend.If you are looking for a good drywall contractor in your area, try usingthe link listed below. See:EPDM Bonded Washer

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