6 Important Steps To Installing Drywall On Ceilings
Many home owners choose to take on the task of installing drywall ceilings themselves. This can be due to a repair that had to be made, replacing an old existing ceiling, or when closing in or finishing a basement or addition.
Regardless of the reason, there are a number of important steps that should be followed when installing the drywall. If these steps are not followed carefully, it could lead to an uneven or crudely installed ceiling, which would not benefit the look and style of your home in any way. Below are six steps that should always be completed carefully when installing a ceiling yourself.
Preparing
Before you begin installing drywall on ceilings, you should begin by preparing the ceiling area and gathering the materials that will be needed for the job. A drywall estimator might come in handy too. Begin by going around and checking the ceiling area for any nails or screws that are sticking out, loose duct work or wayward electrical wires. After making sure that everything is secured and prepared for the installation, you should begin to gather materials such as screws, a drill, adhesive, drywall sheets and box cutters.
Marking of Joists
Once you are ready to begin the installation, it is best to begin by marking the spots where the ceiling joists are on the wall studs of the room. This gives you an exact location for the installation of the screws and fasteners before the area is encased in the drywall.
Application of the Adhesive
Adhesive should be run down the full length of the wall joists when installing drywall on ceilings. Apply this only to one area at a time. Once one sheet of drywall has been installed, you can begin to apply adhesive to the next joist and so on. The adhesive will hold the drywall firmly in place so that it can be screwed into the joists.
If you are applying drywall over drywall, you can apply the adhesive directly to the old sheet of drywall, but be careful to only do one sheet at a time to avoid the adhesive hardening before you are able to get to it.
Applying the Drywall
Using a drywall hanger, you can carefully place the drywall sheet over the adhesive and firmly move it into place. Once this has been completed, you can start drilling screws into the drywall with a drill along the pre-marked joists to permanently hold the drywall in place.
Corners, Edges and Light Fixtures
When you come to the corner or edge of room, it can become tricky to get a professional look when installing drywall on ceilings. To get a crisper, cleaner look, you can use corner bead to help attach the drywall to each corner of the room. Cutting drywall with a sharp box cutter can also provide that professional look. Decide which light fittings you prefer, like halo recessed lighting even a solar tube skylight. Be sure to cut out the area around light fixtures, so that they can be installed at a later date as well.
Finishing
Once the drywall has been installed, it is time to consider how you will finish your ceiling. This is where you must consider the texture that you would like to create. You can install patterned tiles or panels over the drywall or simply use popcorn ceiling spray or adhesive for a simple yet professional look. There are many choices available, but you should consider carefully how you would like to finish your ceiling.
Installing drywall on ceilings is not the simplest task, but it can be done without the help of a professional if the right steps are taken. The six steps above are designed to give you a quick overview of how you can quickly and effectively install your own drywall ceiling.
