How To Hang Drywall On Tall Walls

Wall preparation for hanging drywall.

How to hang drywall on tall walls.

Here is a quick guide for how to work as a team to install drywall. Drywall comes in three basic thicknesses. Hang the drywall vertically. Install the next row of panels as in step 4 butting the edges tightly together.

On commercial jobs fire codes often require seams to fall on the entire length of the framing so the drywall must be hung vertically. Drywall is heavy awkward and hard to get into position. Installing drywall with a helper is the best way to get er done. But for drywall it shouldn t matter unless the plans specify a shear nailing schedule for the drywall.

5 8 inch is heaviest and the most soundproof. This means working with the largest drywall panels and pieces you can. On ceilings you install sheets perpendicular to the joists because you want the strength axis to be perpendicular to prevent sagging. Depending on what you re hanging or mounting you may want to use a specific kind of drywall anchor and there are several to choose from.

3 8 inch is best to cover existing walls. Next hang the top wall row. That way the wall pieces support the ceiling pieces. 1 4 inch is the choice for curved walls and arches.

Around here we have to install plywood vertical to get adequate nailing around the edges for shear strength. First you can get 9 or 10 foot drywall sheets. On the bottom row use a drywall lifter to pry the panel inch up from the floor to allow for shrinkage of the framing as on the ceiling offset the end joints from those in the previous row by at least 4 feet. A drywall anchor goes between the screw and the drywall biting into the drywall much more effectively than a screw would.

Add extra studs photo 1 or blocks photo 2 to support the drywall edges as necessary. Then you screw into the anchor so everything stays in place. Now a word for you rookies. To make it a lot easier pony up for a drywall lift.

When applying drywall to a 9 foot tall wall there are a couple ways to go. Just before closing up the walls make sure everything is just right. How high are the walls. Its more a matter of personal preference and not a right or wrong way.

Cover wire runs with a 1 16 metal plate when wires come within 1 1 4 of the stud face. Hanging drywall over your head is no fun.