Screws hold the drywall panels in place.
Standard drywall screws have deep coarse threads to help them grip the crumbly interior of the drywall pane, and they feature a trumpet-shaped head that allows you to countersink the screw slightly without tearing the drywall paper covering. A phosphate coating makes the drywall screws black, unless you're using special galvanized screws for use with moisture-resistant panels. The placement of drywall screws depends upon where you're installing the panels, the type of wall framing and whether you're using drywall adhesive.
Wood Joists on the Ceiling
Most ceiling framing uses wood joists and you'll use Type W drywall screws for attaching drywall panels. Whether the wood joists are spaced 12 inches or 16 inches apart, you will insert screws at a minimum rate of one screw every 12 inches, according to Bryan Tradem, author of "Working with Drywall." This is the minimum number of screws required for securing the drywall panels. You may use more screws.
If you're using drywall adhesive in addition to the screws, you may reduce the rate to one screw every 16 inches along the edges (field) of the panel and also in the center where the panel covers the wood joists.
When installing drywall, always place a screw at each corner of a panel, and then space out the rest of the screws.
Wood Studs on Walls
To attach drywall to wood wall studs, insert one screw every 16 inches when the studs are 16 inches apart. For studs that are 24 inches apart, Tradem suggests a minimum spacing of one screw every 12 inches along the edge and also on the studs that run beneath the center of the panel.
If you're using drywall adhesive, you can reduce the screws to one every 24 inches for studs spaced 16 inches apart and one every 16 inches for studs spaced 24 inches apart.
Steel Studs (Walls and Ceilings)
To attach drywall to steel studs, use Type S, self-tapping screws. For steel studs spaced 16 inches apart, insert one screw, every 16 inches. If you're using adhesive, you may reduce that to one screw every 24 inches.
For steel studs spaced 24 inches apart, insert one screw every 12 inches and reduce that to one screw every 16 inches if you use adhesive.
Special Instructions
Local building codes and engineering specs take precedence over common building standards. Use the suggested screw spacing unless your building plan calls for different screw spacing.
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