Why sheetrock ceiling first

Standard panels come in 4-foot widths and 8-, and foot lengths. The long sides of the panels feature mild bevels, but the ends of the panels are blunt. Installation starts in one corner of the ceiling with the length of the drywall panels running perpendicular to the direction of the ceiling joists.

If the room is wider than the length of the panels, measure and cut additional panels so the panels meet on the center of a joist.

To save your neck, arms and back, use a drywall lift when installing panels on the ceiling. Lifts are available for rent from construction rental stores and from some lumberyards. The lift raises one panel at a time and holds it securely while you attach the panel with drywall screws. A standard 8-foot-high wall accommodates two sheets of drywall, installed horizontally.

Install the top row of panels first, pushing each panel up as tight as it will go against the ceiling drywall. Lifting and holding the panels takes at least two workers.

The lower horizontal row of panels is the last to install. Now nail the drywall to the stud [7]. If the cutout for the box isn't perfectly positioned and it needs to be enlarged, open it up slightly with a drywall rasp.

Start work on the outside corners by cutting metal corner bead to length with utility snips. Then lightly hold it in position. Space the nails 12 to 16 in. For inside corners, spread compound on both surfaces with a 4-in.

Fold paper drywall tape in the center and press it into the corner [9]. Squeegee away the excess compound with an inside corner knife [10].

Start taping perimeter seams by laying down a thin bed of compound along the seam using a 4-in. Press paper tape into the joint, then wipe away the excess [11].

When the tape is dry, apply a second coat of compound with a 6-in. Let this coat dry and apply a coat on top of it. When this is dry, sand it lightly with the fine side of a dual-grit sanding sponge [12]. Apply one or two more coats on top of this using the 6-in.

Joints that run parallel to the drywall sheet's long axis should be coated to about 12 in. This makes it harder to hide the end joints, so you have to cover them with a very wide seam that has an extremely shallow taper. Your first pass on joints may look a little rough. On subsequent passes, you can eliminate ridges and other imperfections by reducing the compound on the knife to just a small glob in the blade's center.

There are other tricks. Ferguson, a year drywall veteran, advises buying a fairly stiff drywall knife and putting a slight bend in the blade so that its trailing edge rides slightly above the compound as you pull the knife down the joint. It is relied upon because it creates for clean finishes, is really durable, and will require minimal work and effort if repairs are needed. While it is easy to install, there are some tips you should follow to achieve the best results. Should you drywall the ceiling before the walls?

Yes, you should install drywall on the ceiling before the walls for multiple reasons:. Hanging the drywall on the ceiling first is not only simpler but will lead to longer-lasting results that require fewer future repairs. Installing the materials properly the first time around will make your life easier in the long run.

Hanging drywall on the ceiling first has been long practiced by contractors because it has proven to produce the most successful results. Drywall is the main component of the foundation of the ceilings and walls in homes and buildings. You want this foundation and construction to be strong and reliable so that it does not get damaged and remains sturdy.

The order in which you install this drywall can have a large impact on both its reliability and durability. There are three main reasons you should install drywall on the ceiling before the walls:. As trusted by contractors and DIYers, this strategy will make your drywall experience more effective and stress-free. The primary reason that you want to start with the ceiling pieces first in installing drywall is for additional support. When you attach the ceiling sheets first, you can reinforce them with the wall pieces which will serve as a source of stability.

The ceiling sheets will be further pushed into place and can put their weight on the wall pieces. Over time, the weight of the drywall may put tension on these adhesions and lead to cracking. This cracking and breakdown typically will occur around the edges. The good thing is the edges are also where the wall pieces will be placed to prevent this.

When the wall pieces are pushed up against the ceiling drywall during installation, some of the pressure on the drywall caused by gravity is relieved. The wall pieces are kept firmly in place by their own fasteners and taping with less gravity acting against them in their vertical positioning. Support is especially important when there is another floor, attic, or even heavy insulation above the ceiling that imposes even greater weight on the drywall.