Staggered Seam Drywall Installation
The smooth, seamless work of drywall professionals makes drywall installation and finishing appear difficult. However, with the help of basic tips, the do-it-yourself builder can hang drywall, tape seams and create knockdown textures on both walls and ceilings. A familiarity with professional drywall techniques and finish textures prepares the amateur drywaller to create an attractive and durable wall covering.
Use Proper Spacing and Pattern for Longevity
Because wall framing members, such as wooden studs, and attached drywall expand, contract and shift, sheets must be properly spaced and placed to reduce cracking and ensure stability. In general, leave 1/8 inch of space between adjacent sheets of drywall and between sheets, floors and ceilings. Even covered with joint tape and compound, a 1/8 inch gap reduces or prevents cracking and peeling. To further increase structural integrity, drywall professionals install drywall sheets in a staggered pattern. To install sheets in a staggered pattern means the corners of the sheets do not meet; rather, the corners fall at or near the center of the sheet in the adjacent row. Leaving expansion gaps and using proper installation patterns ensures that your drywall install will remain stable and smooth as long as possible.
Speed Up a Job With Automatic Tools
Many do-it-yourself builders consider taping the most difficult part of the drywall installation process; applying smooth, even layers of joint tape and compound requires a light touch and attention to detail. However, even drywall contractors prefer to automate the taping process and a variety of tools exist to make taping quick and easy. Automatic taping tools typically consist of a joint compound canister, tape reel and pole. To tape a joint with an automatic taper, the drywaller simply presses the tool's body against a drywall joint and runs the tool across the joint's length. Automatic taping tools apply both joint tape and a smooth, even layer of compound. Fortunately for the do-it-yourselfer, automatic drywall tools are widely available for both purchase and rental.
Knockdown Ceiling Textures
Although knockdown ceiling textures vary greatly according to the hand that applies them, a description of the basic types of knockdown textures provides the novice drywall finisher with an idea of the essential attributes of all knockdown textures. There are three very distinct knockdown textures: the California knockdown, slap-brush knockdown and Sante Fe knockdown. California knockdown consists of smooth, curvilinear globs, generally trowelled to within 1/16 inch of the drywall's surface. The slap-brush texture is thicker than the California, roughly 1/8 inch, and consists of interwoven, linear swatches of joint compound. The Sante Fe texture has a medium thickness and features distinct knife marks that produce a fanlike pattern.
Related posts
Drywall tape reinforces wet joint compound.Once the wallboard panels are in place, the job's halfway done. The next step is the application of drywall compound, or "mud," which will fill...
Hanging drywall is hard work; make it easier with some expert tips.Drywall, also known as gypsum board or sheetrock, was invented in 1894, but became very popular with new construction and home re...
Drywall professionals use automatic taping tools to create smooth, seamless joints.Drywall finishing professionals rely not only on skill and training to create smooth, strong joints, they employ...
Poorly applied drywall compound makes a mess instead of smooth, seamless joints.Drywall joint compound is combined with paper or mesh tape to make smooth, seamless joints between sheets that won't...
Drywall trowelsThere are many types of drywall tools available, but most professionals rely on simple techniques that work with them all. Whichever tools you decide to use, make sure they are good...
