Drywall can easily be installed by a professional or competent do-it-yourselfer. While online video tutorials can help any competent DIYer install drywall, some procedures are more complex than they appear in the tutorials. The tutorials seem easy to follow, but as most DIYers know, it’s rarely that simple.
This article covers the basics of drywall installation for the average DIYer and when it’s time to call in a professional.
Phase 1 – Drywall Sheets Cutting – DIY Friendly
The first step of a drywall installation is to cut the sheets to size. This is a relatively easy task and can be completed without much difficulty by a competent DIYer. To put up drywall, you need to measure the wall or ceiling space and cut the drywall sheets to fit the required length.
There are several ways to cut a drywall sheet. The easiest and cleanest way is to score and snap it. To do this, use a straight edge, ruler and pencil to mark the drywall where you want to cut. Then, take a utility knife and score the drywall along the line.
Place the piece you want to remove over a ledge and snap it off by applying firm downward pressure. If you fold the sheet correctly, it should make a snapping sound along the score mark you made earlier.
You can use many tools to cut holes for power outlets and switches, ceiling lights, etc., but the most critical part is getting accurate measurements of where the holes should be. Cutting the gaps is easy; making sure they’re in the right place is difficult.
Phase 2 – Drywall Fastening to a Timber Frame – DIY friendly
Use the appropriate fastener to secure the cut sheets of drywall to the timber frame. This process is easy to do yourself and does not require special skills or knowledge.
Two primary fasteners are used to secure drywall sheets: drywall nails and screws. The exact kind of fastener you use will depend on the specific requirements of your project. Experts and drywall professionals can advise you on the best product for your needs.
Having someone hold the sheet in place while you secure it when working with drywall is helpful. This is especially a fact when working on a ceiling, as holding the large sheets of drywall overhead can be tiring.
Make sure that any screws or nails are countersunk below the surface of the drywall so that they can be covered with plaster later. This will give the wall a smooth, seamless finish.
Phase 3 – Mudding, Taping, and Sanding – Not So DIY friendly
Now that the drywall is secure, it’s time to fill the joints with mud, then tape and sand them, so the final product is smooth and seamless. These steps may not be challenging, but getting a quality finish requires skill and finesse, which can only be developed with practice.
If you want a perfect finish, hiring a professional plasterer is best if you don’t mind joints being visible in certain lighting conditions, so you could try doing it yourself.
Apply a generous layer of plaster jointing compound, or “mud,” over the joints. Then apply a strip of drywall tape over the joint to which you just applied the mud. Use a drywall putty knife to press the tape into the mud and wipe off any excess mud, so the surface is smooth. Allow the mud to dry.
Once the area is dry, sand it lightly to remove any bumps. Then apply a second layer of joint compound using a wider putty knife. Try to feather the edges, so it blends in with the surrounding area. Afterwards, allow it to dry.
Try to blend the joint into the adjacent surface. Allow it to dry before starting the final sanding with fine-grit sandpaper. This will prepare the surface for painting.
Conclusion
Now that you know the basics of drywall installation, you can decide whether to do the project yourself or hire a professional. The first two stages of drywall installation are usually pretty simple and can be done without professional help.
Plastering requires a high level of skill to achieve a seamless finish, which can only be attained with professional experience. Plasterers use high-quality tools to complete the job more quickly and to a higher standard than the average DIYer. Although you could buy the necessary equipment, the cost would cancel out any savings from doing the job yourself.
If this is your first drywall project, hire a professional to finish the job. Plaster & Recruit is a registered plastering company that can help install drywall in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Queensland areas. To get started, contact us today.