DIY Hanging of Floating Drywall
- 1). Lift up your first sheet of 5/8-inch drywall to the ceiling, starting in a corner. Assuming the joists are 16 inches on center, the side of the drywall will end half way over a joist so that the next piece can also be screwed to that joist. Drill 1-5/8 inch drywall screws into the joists 10 inches apart.
- 2). Measure the area for the next piece. If the drywall needs to be cut first, measure the required area on the drywall and use a chalk line to mark longer lines.
- 3). Run a workman's knife down the chalk line where the drywall has to be cut, then bend the drywall from the other side to the cut. The drywall will break on the cut. Run your workman's knife along the inside of the cut to totally separate the drywall along the cut. Screw this piece into position the ceiling with drywall screws as in Step 1. Repeat until the ceiling is covered.
- 4). Place the first piece of 1/2-inch drywall against the wall in an upright position, preferably starting in one corner of the room. If the room is standard 8 feet in height, a full 4-by-8 piece of drywall will go from floor to ceiling.
- 5). Nail the drywall to the studs, spacing nails 10 inches apart. Do not break the drywall paper by pushing the nail head into the drywall; simply nail the head so it pushes and rests against the drywall paper. Repeat with remaining drywall until the walls are covered.
- 6). Apply mesh drywall tape to all the corner joints on the walls and ceiling, so that the center of the tape is in the center of the joint. Nail corner beading to any corners that stick out.
- 7). Fill a drywall tray with joint compound. Use a 6 inch drywall knife to apply the joint compound to every area where two pieces of drywall meet. Cover all mesh drywall tape areas and all corner beading. Also cover every screw and nail inserted into the drywall.
- 8). Wait for the compound to dry (usually overnight) and sand the compound smooth (use a dust mask). If necessary, apply a second layer of compound and sand a second time to ensure a smooth finish.
