Drywall Made Easy - Part 1

Drywall Application & Finishing - Part 1 "Boarding"

Tools required:

Tape measure- minimum 16 foot. Cost $10.

Knife- locking blade, preferably a single, replaceable blade. Cost $6.

Keyhole saw. Cost $10.

Drywall hatchet/hammer- a knurled head (avoids slipping off nail), lightweight. Cost approximately $30.

Tool Belt- has pockets for all your tools, preferably has a metal loop for the hatchet and one or two nail pouches. Cost approximately $60.

Screw-gun, 4000 rpm, Phillips head (magnetized) and extension cord. Cost approximately $50 - $90.

Drywall Nails, 1 1/4', drywall screws, 1 1/4' & 2". Purchase approximately 10 lbs of each per thousand square feet of floor area. If you are going to do multiple projects, purchase nails & screws by the case (more conomical).

TOOL TIP: purchase quality tools, you will use them a lot and they will serve you well throughout your project(s).

The first step in the Drywall project is to order the board. Drywall/gypsum board/gyproc, is available in 4 foot wide sheets varying in length from 8 feet, 10 feet, 12 feet and 14 feet. To get your "board count", go through each room measuring each wall and ceiling. Count the sheets required to cover the full length of the wall or ceiling. Always measure across the studs or floor joists, not in the same direction as the wood members.

Example: a room 11'-6" by 10', the ceiling will need two 4' x 12' sheets plus 1/2 (2' x 12'), count 2-12' plus 1-8' (the 2' strip). Two walls of length 11'-6" require 2-12' sheets each. Count 4-12'. One wall of length 10' requires 2-10' sheets. The remaining wall of 10' length, which has a doorway and may have a closet, can be covered using 8' sheets. Count 2-8' plus the closet if necessary. Total "board count" for this room: 6-12', 2-10', 3-8', plus closet (usually two 8' sheets will do).

The above example gives you an idea of how to do the board count. In the case of a larger room which may be more than 14' across, you will need two or three sheets per span. In this case, try to cover with as few joints as possible. The less joints, the less taping later. If you have a room that is 18' span, count 1-12' plus 1-6' (half of a 12'). Then the next row will have the joint at the opposite end. Always stagger joints as far as possible from each other. In other words, run the 12' sheet from one end, fill the 6' part with the half sheet, then start at this end with the next 12' sheet so that the joints are separated nicely. Walls should be covered in the same fashion. Try to keep wall joints as far as possible from windows. When light shines on the wall through a window, the joints are more noticeable.

Of course, you will have the insulation and vapor barrier installed ready for the drywall. Need I mention, the electrical and plumbing have been installed and inspected. You are now ready to apply the drywall.

See the next installment, Part-2, "Cutting and Nailing"

Autor: Dan Tiki

Question or Comment? contact me at: danntiki@gmail.com

To Your Success ;)

Added: May 15, 2009
Source: http://ezinearticles.com/