Install a drywall ceiling

Plan to fasten the first furring strip along one wall and then place the center of the next one 16 inches from the wall. Measuring from the wall, install the remaining strips at 16 inch intervals across the ceiling. Fasten each so the center is right at the 16 inch mark to be sure the 4x8 ft drywall sheets will be supported along each edge.

At the end of the ceiling there will be something other than 16 inches left. Here, install the last furring strip butted against the wall like the first one. Use 1x2 or 1x3 furring strips placed perpendicular to the joists. Hold them in place and to avoid splitting the board, drill a pilot hole through it and into the joist. Drive 2 inch drywall screws to fasten the strips to the joist. Use longer screws if you're dealing with thick plaster or the 2 inch doesn't engage the joist.

Countersink the screw heads to be sure the drywall will lay as flat as possible over the strips. Go across the room and drill and fasten the strips at each joist. When all the strips are in place, go along the walls and mark the mid-point of each with a pencil or other non-staining marker. Make the marks far enough down the wall to see them when the drywall is in place. Some jurisdictions may require a fire resistant drywall, known as Type X, for ceiling installation so check to be sure you use the right kind of material.

Plan to hang the drywall in full sheets along the corner with the first wall, running parallel with the furring strips. Use as many full sheets as possible to fill out the space, butting the opened ends together. At the end of the run, if you need a small piece to finish, cut a full sheet to size and fit it into the last space so the opened end butts to the opened end of the last full sheet.

Run the second row with the first full sheet starting at the opposite end of the room. Hang it so it joins the first row along the finished edges. Run as many full sheets as possible and then cut a small piece to finish out the space butting the ends as before. Staggering the open-end joints like this will make them easier to hide when finishing the seams. Hang the remaining drywall to finish out the ceiling starting at opposite ends of the run with each new row.

At the other side of the room there will likely be a small space left to fill. Cut a full sheet of drywall lengthwise to fill out this space so a finished edge is available to mate with the finished edge of the last full row. Always mate like edges together, don't join a finished edge with an opened edge, it will create a very noticeable bulge in the finished seam.

You can use a construction adhesive to help secure the new drywall sheets in place. This is not absolutely necessary and if you decide to do it, use a caulk gun to apply the adhesive along the furring strips just before lifting the drywall into place.

Using adhesive will reduce the number of drywall screws needed to secure the sheets and prevent any possible sagging over time. To install the first sheet, lift it into place and push it tightly into the corner and against both wall surfaces. Check to be sure about half the furring strip is showing on the outer edge and hold or support the sheet see tee support below while fastening it to the strips with drywall screws.

Use a screw gun with a clutch function to uniformly sink the heads just below the drywall surface without tearing the paper covering. Drive a few screws at the first strip along the wall and then put a few more along the outer edge to hold the sheet temporarily. To drive the remaining screws accurately, use a chalked string to mark the furring strip location along the sheet.

Drive the screws along each strip about every 6 inches. Using a homemade tee for support will make hanging a drywall ceiling much easier. After a sheet of drywall has been lifted into place, wedge the tee under it to support the weight while adjusting the position and driving the screws.

Make the top of the tee about 3 feet long and the leg a bit longer than the new ceiling height. Because this support only needs to hold the weight temporarily, it doesn't have to be perfectly straight up and down. A quarter inch extra length is usually sufficient to get a tight wedge against the drywall but if the height varies more than that, it may be too short in some places.

Shifting the tee placement will usually solve this problem but if the variance is extreme, a longer leg will help compensate for larger differences. Finally, finish as you would a regular drywall installation. Not Helpful 3 Helpful 9. Install friction fit batts, sized to meet the code requirements in your area; cover the area completely with 6 mil poly, taping all joints; then fasten up the drywall.

Not Helpful 10 Helpful Half-inch is standard, but your area's building code may require a different size, so check your area's building code. Not Helpful 3 Helpful You don't. Drywall should not be in direct contact with the heating duct. As the duct warms when hot air goes through it, the expansion of the duct will create an annoying noise, break loose the screws, or both.

You need to frame below the duct to fasten the drywall to either wood or metal framing that is not attached to the duct. Not Helpful 9 Helpful How do I board out a ceiling that is ready for plaster board on a non-standard construction house? You can rent or buy a support tool specifically designed for this purpose. Measure, cut, and then lay it on the support tool. It is adjustable and can hold the drywall at the proper height.

Screw the drywall to the ceiling joists. Not Helpful 11 Helpful Standard ceiling heights are finished out at roughly 8 ft. Your height could vary slightly based on imperfections in materials or the thickness of the drywall used. Always button the top of your sheeting tight and leave the gap at the bottom if there is one.

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 7. I'm trying to finish the basement ceiling because our contractor backed out after doing the walls first, so how do I make sure everything looks okay when walls are done but the ceiling isn't? Most people believe that ceilings must be done first, but this isn't true.

Doing a ceiling first only helps to hide edges and off cuts. Make sure that the wall board is completely screwed at the top. This will help to keep things straight. You have two option then.

You can measure a center point to the middle of the ceiling, placing your sheet dead center of the line, though this isn't recommended if you're not a professional. It's easier to start from a straight corner placing a full sheet in opposite direction of the studs. Your second sheet should be at least 2 - 4 feet shorter than the first one. Place it on the second row. Complete your first row, then continue on until you're finished.

Not Helpful 8 Helpful How far should the screws go into the ceiling joists when installing a drywall ceiling over an existing one?

To the point where the head contacts the drywall, too far and you could damage the drywall. Not Helpful 27 Helpful Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Keep the drywall sheets laid out flat on the floor until you're ready to use them.

This will prevent them from bending. Helpful 55 Not Helpful Professionals rarely use glue on ceiling joists, partly because of the greater likelihood of ceiling boards needing to be taken down and trimmed. Instead of gluing, we generally use three coarse thread drywall screws or three sets of two nails in the "field" in addition to the screw on each edge of the board.

Helpful 16 Not Helpful The joists should be marked on the top "plate," the plate is typically made of two 2x4s on top of the studs.

Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0. Installing ceiling drywall is the best way to cover popcorn ceilings and other imperfections. Longer does not mean better in the selection of screw length. Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0. For the 10 to 15 dollar cost, a drywall T square will pay for itself in a hurry! Lean the sheet almost upright against the wall and use the toe of your left foot if you are right-handed to hold the bottom of the square.

Score the sheet on your mark. Then pick it up just slightly off the floor and snap the sheet. Lean over the sheet and cut through the paper for a foot or two near the middle of the cut. Grasp the end that is to come off, and with a quick movement, push your end of the whole sheet away from you and snap the end off! For quickly marking openings for lights, outlets, etc a square is indispensable.

Drywall is available in a variety of thicknesses. If the installation is to be inspected, the inspector can tell you what is acceptable. Make sure you wear eye protection! You Might Also Like How to. How to. More References 1. About This Article. Co-authored by:. Co-authors: Updated: June 6, Categories: Ceilings Drywall. Article Summary X To install ceiling drywall, start by applying adhesive to the joists where the first sheet of drywall will go. Italiano: Installare un Soffitto di Cartongesso.

Nederlands: Gipsplaat op een plafond monteren. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read , times. I was searching the best way to hang drywall on the ceiling with limited help. I learned how to build the T-brace for that.

I also was unaware that drywall had a tapered end. Thank you! More reader stories Hide reader stories. Did this article help you? Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Susan Harris Sep 27, Muswenkosi Mduduzi Mar 1,