In certain cases, putting new drywall over old drywall is a cost-effective and speedy way to refresh a room. A few of the advantages of putting drywall on drywall include: It's less extensive than tearing out and replacing existing drywall. It can help soundproof a room.
Yes, you can install a new drywall over an older ceiling or walls. This is often done when the labor involved in refurbishing the existing surface requires more labor than it's worth. In some cases, it can help refurbish a surface that's uneven, sagging, loose or which contains materials like asbestos.
If you use the double-drywall technique and put a further layer of sound-dampening material or compound between them, you'll have a quieter area. The added layer of drywall and compound reduces vibrations and (consequently) cuts down on the sound that travels through the walls.
Yes. You will need to locate the studs, use longer screws to install the new drywall. You will also need to add spacers to your outlets and light switches along with longer screws.
Skim coating can be a great way to smooth out or prepare worn or damaged walls for a touchup and is a relatively easy task that even novice drywall workers can add to their arsenal.
Matte paint is the best option for hiding any imperfections that may have occurred during the drywall finishing process. If matte paint isn't available for you, try using a darker shade of paint. The darker colour will limit the light reflection in the room, so the seam isn't so apparent.
If your walls have a lot of holes, gouges, or marks, putting drywall on the existing drywall can be one way to give them a facelift.
One key difference between the two is that sheetrock is a brand name of drywall made by the United States Gypsum Corporation. Another difference lies in their production process; sheetrock has a slightly denser core than drywall due to the addition of a small amount of wood fiber to the gypsum core.
Keeping the joints between sheets of drywall too close is an invitation for troubles along the way. Professional drywall installers allow for ⅛-inch space between sheetrock placement, and this allows for expansion and contraction for the frame of the building, avoiding cracks and damage to the drywall.
Double or multiple layers of drywall are sometimes required for increased fire resistance or for reduced sound penetration. You can secure all layers with fasteners in the standard manner, but a good alternative is to use adhesive to attach the outermost, or “face,” layer.
Add Additional Sheets of Drywall
A longer wall may need more than one sheet of drywall. Using a drywall lift can make this step easier. Start by hanging a full sheet as before. Tack it in place, and then drive drywall screws every 16 inches and into the studs.
While there's no such thing as completely soundproof drywall, by installing SoundBreak® XP® or adding SoundBreak XP Retrofit® to existing drywall you can drastically reduce the amount of noise you hear between rooms from music, television, conversation, a baby crying or dogs barking.
Drywall Screw Dimensions and Installation
When working with 1/2-inch drywall panels, use 1-1/4 or 1-3/8-inch nails or screws. When working with 5/8-inch drywall panels, use 1-3/8-inch or 1-5/8-inch screws. To properly secure drywall, the right number of drywall fasteners should be used.
DON'T overlap drywall tape
Apply a single layer of tape to lessen the chances of causing bulges and bumps in the wall. Apply a thin layer of the mud using a quality painter's knife.
Hang the Ceiling First
This makes it much easier to manage and attach the panels since you will not have to fumble around with the screws, measuring tape, and so on. Screws for drywall lids should be placed no closer than 16” from the wall. This allows the drywall to have a bit of flexibility to prevent ceiling cracks.
Drywall finishing involves concealing the seams and fasteners used in hanging drywall, also known as gypsum. You'll need to apply joint compound, embed tape, and sand to create a smooth, uniform surface ready for painting or wallpapering.
Hides uneven studs – Hanging horizontally also allows the drywall to flow over the framing so that bowed studs create less of a problem. If the drywall were hung vertically and a seam placed on a bowed out stud, the seam would be magnified because of the bump in the wall.
On this basis, a stack of drywall (laid flat) should not exceed approximately 9” in height (example: 18 sheets of 1/2” drywall or 14 sheets of 5/8” drywall). In some areas, it is common practice to temporarily shore up the floor system in order to stack more than 9” of drywall.
Drywall can be damaged easily. Knowing how to patch drywall damage, repair small drywall holes and fix large holes yourself will save you time and money.
Color Considerations
We all know that lighter colors emphasize imperfections while darker colors hide them. This also has to do with light and reflection. Lighter colors reflect more light while darker shades absorb it.
If you notice a lot of bumps or uneven surfaces, then it's likely due to improper drywall finishing. Keep in mind, some roughness near lower levels of the finish might be acceptable, but be sure to pay close attention to corners and edges as these areas can especially appear to be uneven.
For those considering alternatives to traditional mudding: Joint tape: Using self-adhesive mesh drywall tape can cover drywall seams with less skill required compared to traditional paper tape, offering a simpler way to prepare walls for painting.