Sheetrock installation is not as hard as you might expect. Taping the joints might be a little trying; however, with a little practice, you will be able to do it. If taping becomes too difficult, it is possible to do the sheetrock installation and then call a drywall taper to finish up the project. It is important to install the ceiling sheetrock first, and then the walls. See also How to cut Sheetrock.

Sheetrock Installation Tools and Materials

• Sheetrock
• Coated Drywall Nails or Screws
• Pre-mixed Joint Compound
• Drywall Tape
• 5 inch wide Drywall Taping Knife
• 10 inch wide Drywall Taping Knife
• Metal Corner Beads
• Drywall Drill (if using screws)
• T-braces (rented or constructed) for ceiling sheetrock installation
• Sanding Block
• Medium-Grit Sandpaper
• Fine-Grit Sandpaper
• Paint Primer

Note: A general rule to calculate the amount of materials you need is that 1,000 square feet of sheetrock will need about seven pounds of coated drywall nails or screws, a five-gallon pail of joint compound (pre-mixed), and a 500 foot roll of tape. Every outside corner will need one metal corner bead.

Sheetrock Installation Steps

Determine how much sheetrock you need by computing the square footage of the walls. The goal is to end up with as few joints as possible. A standard size sheetrock for a wall will be 4 x 8 feet. Sheetrock runs 4 feet wide, but some places will offer 10 foot and 12 foot lengths. Generally, sheetrock will measure ½ inch in thickness for walls and 5/8 inch for ceilings.

1. For ceilings, create or rent the T-braces.
2. Cut sheetrock panels to size with a utility knife. See the article “How to Cut Sheetrock” for instructions on how to do this.
3. Sheetrock installation for ceiling: Span the entire width with one single sheet, if possible, to reduce the number of joints. Position and wedge the T-braces against the sheetrock to hold it in place. Start at the center of the sheetrock panel and work out, driving nails or screws into all joists covered by the sheetrock at 6 inch intervals. Set aside T-braces.
4. Install wall panels. See the article “How to Cut Sheetrock” to make cutouts of electrical outlets, receptacles, and other obstacles.
5. Push the wall panels against the ceiling sheets. Starting four inches from the ceiling, drive nails or screws at 6 inch intervals along the studs. Leave dimples.
6. Nail the metal outside corner beads to cover any outside corners.

Sheetrock Installation Taping Steps

Sheetrock installation taping is the process of covering the nails and joints.

1. Use the taping knife to spread the joint compound into the slight recess that is created by the tapered edges of the sheetrock panels. Smooth out the compound until it is even with the rest of the sheetrock’s surface.
2. Center drywall tape over joint and press it into the compound. Smooth tape with taping knife. Fill all nail dimples with compound.
3. Allow compound to dry for at least 24 hours.
4. Apply a thin second coat of compound that extends out a few inches on either side of the first coat. Allow to dry again.
5. Apply a third coat of compound with a 10 inch wide taping knife. Extend to about 6 inches to either side. Allow to dry.
6. After third coat is dry, feather edges with a sanding block covered with medium-grit sandpaper.
7. For taping inside corners, cut tape to length and fold it in half. After the bed of compound is laid, press the folded tape into the compound and feather compound out 1 ½ inches to each side. Corners will need three coats, with the last coat extending about 8 inches to each side. Sand down, as the other joints are sanded down.
8. Allow walls to dry for five days.
9. Apply a primer to the sheetrock.
10. Sand the sheetrock surface lightly with fine-grit sandpaper on sanding block. Sand the wall between each additional coat of paint. Note: New drywall should have at least three coats of paint, which are a sealer, primer, and finish coat.

Your sheetrock installation project is now complete. Your wall is ready to be painted.

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