Which side of drywall do you score?

Author: Neva Raynor  |  Last update: Saturday, February 7, 2026

The vertical edges of the sheet should attach to studs. Score the front side and cut away the paper backing. Smooth any rough edges and position the piece. Mark the studs and drive in screws to secure the drywall.

Does it matter which side of drywall you use?

The reason you will want to have the correct side of drywall facing properly is that it is easier to tape and finish a wall with the correct side of drywall facing outwards.

Which way do you snap drywall?

Go clockwise on inside cuts Unlike recessed lights, electrical boxes, and windows with jambs that extend beyond the stud faces, rough openings are cut from the inside. Set the bit deeper so that the tip clears the eased edges of framing lumber, and cut clockwise.

What side of the drywall tape do you use?

Fortunately, most paper drywall tape comes with a seam down the middle that can be used to fold it exactly in half, creating a natural corner in the tape that you'll fit into the corner on the wall. This seam presents a slight bulge towards the outside of the tape and the bulge side should go against the wall.

Which side do you score plasterboard on?

Guest The dark side goes inside so that you skim the outside, which is the white side. If the wall you are boarding is an outside wall, you still put the dark side inside, that is, against the inside of the outside wall. Do not try to board the outside of the outside wall.

How to cut drywall / Sheetrock

Does it matter which side of drywall you score?

The vertical edges of the sheet should attach to studs. Score the front side and cut away the paper backing. Smooth any rough edges and position the piece. Mark the studs and drive in screws to secure the drywall.

Does it matter which side of plasterboard faces out?

For all Gyproc plasterboards, the coloured paper face should face outwards and is the side suitable for plastering or direct decoration. The reverse side, with printed board details, should be installed facing inwards and is not suitable for receiving a plaster finish.

Can you finish drywall in one day?

Fortunately, fast-drying setting-type compounds allow you to do just that. Setting-type joint compounds harden chemically in anywhere from 20 minutes or 30 minutes to 4 hours or 5 hours, depending on the type used. The compounds with the shortest setting times are ideal for one-day finishing.

What are some of the most common mistakes people make when mudding and taping a wall?

The Biggest Mistakes People Make When Taping Drywall
  • Failing To Use the Right Tools. One of the biggest mistakes people make when taping drywall is using the incorrect tools—or no tools at all. ...
  • Starting in the Wrong Area. ...
  • Exerting Too Much Pressure. ...
  • Applying Excess Compound. ...
  • Using Thick Mud.

Why do you leave a gap at the bottom of drywall?

Always leave a 1/2-inch gap at the floor. This allows for floor and wall expansion without cracking the drywall. It also helps prevents moisture wicking if the floor floods. Wear work gloves, safety goggles and a dust mask when hanging drywall.

How to score and snap plasterboard?

The absolutely smartest and most efficient way to cut plasterboard is by using scoring and snapping technique. It means marking, then scoring a line on the face side of the board with a straight edge and cutting with a Stanley knife. Next step would be lifting the sheet and snapping the board along the score line.

Does it matter which way you hang drywall?

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.

What tool is recommended for scoring the drywall?

Razor Utility Knife

The most commonly used tool for cutting drywall is the razor or utility knife. You score the panel, apply some pressure, and snap! You've got a new, clean edge.

Should you leave a gap between drywall sheets?

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.

Is it OK to leave drywall unfinished?

On the other hand, if the drywall is not sealed properly, it won't be able to function as a fire-suppressant. This is the main reason it is against the building code in many areas to have an unfinished drywall.

Should drywall corners be caulked?

In closets and other low-priority areas, don't tape and mud inside corners. Instead, caulk them. I first tried this trick on wall and ceiling corners 20 years ago—and those corners still look good.

Do you sand between each coat of drywall mud?

Knock down any ridges or significantly imperfect areas through sanding, which should help you apply the next coat of mud smoothly. If your first coat of mud is pretty smooth after it dries, a quick sanding is all you'll need. Don't forget to wipe away any dust after each sanding process.

Should you wet drywall tape before applying it?

Keep a bucket of water nearby and quickly run each piece of tape through it before applying the tape to the wall.

How do you hide mud imperfections in drywall?

Leveling Up with Skim Coating

Skim coating is a technique used to create a smooth, even surface by applying a thin layer of joint compound over the entire wall. This process can effectively hide minor flaws and create a uniform appearance. This can effectively hide imperfections and create a seamless appearance.

What is a high suction background?

Suction: is a term that describes how the backgrounds react with the plaster material when applied. For example, Thermalite blocks are high suction. This means that if untreated they will suck the water out of the plaster, thus making it difficult to apply. Smooth concrete is low suction.

Which side do you score plasterboard?

What side of plasterboard do you score? When cutting plasterboard, you should score a line with a sharp Stanley knife on the face side of the board (the side without a backing sheet). What is the fastest way to cut plasterboard? The fastest and easier way to cut plasterboard is using a Stanley knife.

Why leave a gap at the bottom of plasterboard?

By leaving a small gap at the bottom, the plaster is able to move freely without cracking or causing damage to the floor. This becomes especially crucial in areas with extreme weather conditions where temperature fluctuations are common.

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