Scaffolding offers a sturdy place to stand when installing drywall overhead.
Installing drywall panels on your ceiling offers a smooth surface for painting or for applying drywall texture. Drywall panels are made from highly compressed gypsum particles, covered with thick paper. The panels come in standard 4-foot widths and in various lengths, from 8-foot to 14-foot, in 2-foot increments. By using the longest panels you can safely maneuver, you will reduce taping later. Because the panels are heavy, you'll need a drywall lift and at least one assistant.
Instructions
1. Install drywall panels perpendicular to the direction of the ceiling joists.
2. Start in one corner of the ceiling and measure to the middle of the ceiling joist that is just short of the length of the first drywall panel. For example, if you're hanging 12-foot panels, you will measure to the middle of the ceiling joist that is just short of 12-feet and cut your drywall panel to match.
3. Put the sheet of measured and cut drywall on the ceiling lift and hoist it into position. The lift only raises and holds the panel; your assistant will have to push it snugly into the corner and make sure the edge of the drywall lines up with, or "breaks," on the center of the ceiling joist.
4. Insert drywall screws about 8-inches apart through the drywall and into the joists. When inserting the screws on the edge of a panel, keep them about 1/2 an inch away from the edge.
5. Countersink drywall screws about 1/8-inch. This is deep enough to tape over later, but not so deep that the screw head will tear the paper covering on the drywall. This is called "dimpling," because you will form a small dimple when countersinking each screw.
6. Measure, cut and attach the next drywall panel the same way, using the other half of the previous ceiling joist to attach one edge of the panel. The other end of the panel should break on the center of another joist.
7. Snug the panels tightly together to form tight seams before inserting the screws.
8. Repeat the measuring, cutting and attaching until you've covered all the ceiling joists with drywall panels.
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