Do you drywall the ceiling or walls first?

Author: Prof. Robyn Effertz  |  Last update: Saturday, October 11, 2025

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.

Should you drywall the ceiling before the walls?

Always do the ceilings first, no matter what. You are dealing with weight and gravity so the walls hold the ceiling board firmly in place and helps prevent cracking in the corners. Make sure you put in at least 5 screws across the board and 6 at the butt end to also help prevent any movement.

What order do you install drywall?

How to install drywall: step by step
  1. Step 1: Measure and cut the drywall. ...
  2. Step 2: Hang drywall before driving screws. ...
  3. Step 3: Drive screws into drywall panels. ...
  4. Step 4: Leave a gap between the floor and drywall. ...
  5. Step 5: Remove any excess drywall panelling for windows, doors, fixtures and more.

Do you line the ceiling or walls first?

Tip: For easier installation it is recommended to install the plasterboard ceiling before lining the walls. Measure the wall to determine the required sheet size.

Why do you start drywall from the top?

Gravity and Weight Distribution: Installing drywall from the top down allows the weight of the sheets to rest on the lower sheets. This helps prevent sagging and ensures a more stable installation.

Do you hang drywall ceiling or walls first?

What is drywall ghosting?

Ghosting happens when mildly damp, warm, and possibly sooty interior air condenses on the sections of walls and ceiling that are colder because part of the wood frame is uninsulated. This results in black sooty stains on your walls and ceilings that follow the patterns of your home's framing.

Should you leave gaps between drywall?

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.

Do you hang drywall vertically or horizontally?

Commercial: Hang the drywall vertically. On commercial jobs, fire codes often require seams to fall on the entire length of the framing, so the drywall must be hung vertically. Residential: How high are the walls? For walls nine feet high or shorter, hanging the drywall horizontally has a number of benefits.

How do I get a straight line between ceiling and wall?

If you're new to painting a room, having a ceiling painting pad tool will help you paint a perfect line easily. When you place the pad along the top of the wall so the wheels roll on the ceiling, you'll be able to paint a perfect line. I often use the pad to paint the area right under the ceiling, too.

What is the correct order to paint a room?

The Best Order to Paint a Room
  1. Ceilings. Paint a 2-inch wide strip on the ceiling where it meets the wall. ...
  2. Walls. Paint a 2-inch strip along ceiling, floor and woodwork with a brush. ...
  3. Woodwork. Paint all trim around doors, windows, ceilings and floor.
  4. Floor. Start in a corner diagonally opposite the room exit.

What order do you finish drywall?

Drywall Finishing
  1. Step 1: Cover Screws/Nails with Joint Compound.
  2. Step 2: Put Drywall Compound on 6-inch Knife.
  3. Step 3: Fill the Trough with Joint Compound.
  4. Step 4: Cover Seam with a Piece of Tape.
  5. Step 5: Embed Tape and Smooth Compound.
  6. Step 6: Apply Thin Layer of Joint Compound.
  7. Step 7: Fold Drywall Paper.

Do you texture ceilings or walls first?

Do you texture ceilings before walls? Ceilings are usually painted before the walls. This rule also applies to textures. You do not have to follow this rule, but it makes the process so much easier.

What's the difference between sheetrock and drywall?

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.

Should walls or ceiling be painted first?

One question everyone asks: Should you paint the walls or ceiling first? If you're planning to paint the entire room, start with the ceiling. That way, you won't have to worry about splatters from the roller getting onto the walls—it will all get touched up once the walls are painted.

How many screws per sheet of drywall?

Number of Screws Per Sheet of Drywall

Use about 32 drywall screws per sheet of 4-foot by 8-foot drywall installed horizontally on a wall. This total is comprised of four screws on the five middle studs and six screws on each of the two sides.

How do painters get straight lines?

A paint edger is a professional painting tool that works well to paint straight lines, including 90-degree angles. Most paint edgers are square or rectangular, applying paint in cohesive blocks and lines.

How do I close the gap between my wall and ceiling?

If it is simply the joint between the horizontal drywall on the ceiling, and the vertical drywall on the walls, then that can simply be taped and finished with paper tape and joint compound. If the gap is over a quarter of an inch, you can prefill the gap with duarbond or quickset joint compound.

Do you hang drywall on the ceiling or walls first?

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.

Is there a wrong way to hang drywall?

Here are five common drywall installation mistakes and how to make sure you steer clear of them on your next project.
  1. Driving screws too deep. ...
  2. Joints are too tight. ...
  3. Fastening before trimming. ...
  4. Placing joints next to doors and windows. ...
  5. Having too many joints. ...
  6. Kick off your next project at Al's.

Should there be a gap between ceiling and wall drywall?

If you see a gap between your walls and ceiling, you should call a crawl space and basement repair expert immediately. At The Drying Company, we have the resources and expertise to repair separations and fortify your home.

Why does my house have 2 layers of drywall?

Insulation – If you live in a very hot or cold climate and struggle to keep your home adequately heated in winter or cooled in summer, an additional layer of drywall in the ceiling may help with insulation. It creates an additional barrier and prevents heat and cool air from escaping through the attic.

What happens if you don't stagger drywall?

Ultimately, staggered seams are stronger because the joints – the weakest part of the wall or ceiling installation – are minimized. Staggered joints are also less visible and easier to conceal for a flawless finish, offering a smoother, more professional look to the completed job.

Do drywall edges need to be on studs?

All edges of all sheets of drywall must land on a solid surface such as a stud. A hanging drywall edge may work in the short-term, but in the long-term it can result in cracks and other serious wall issues. Sometimes, the drywall does not horizontally reach a stud.

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