How to Install Drywall

Drywall is the most common interior wall surface in North American homes - and one of the most DIY-accessible structural projects. The hanging is straightforward; the finishing (taping, mudding, sanding) is where skill develops with practice.

Tools & Materials Checklist

• Drywall lift (rental, essential for ceilings)
• Screw gun
• 6-inch and 10-inch taping knives
• Mud pan and sanding pole
• Paper or mesh joint tape
• N95 dust mask

Step 1: Calculate Drywall Needed

Use the Drywall Calculator to get the exact number of 4x8 foot sheets needed. Use 1/2 inch for interior walls and ceilings; 5/8 inch for fire-rated assemblies and garages. Add 10% waste. Calculate joint compound (1 gallon per 100 sq ft) and tape (one roll per 50 linear feet of joints) separately.

Step 2: Hang the Ceiling First

If doing both walls and ceiling, always do the ceiling first - wall sheets will support the ceiling edges. Use a drywall lift to hold sheets while screwing. Drive screws every 12 inches along joists, keeping them 3/8 inch from edges to avoid crumbling.

Step 3: Hang the Walls

Hang sheets horizontally - this creates fewer joints and is more resistant to cracking. Start at the top: hang the upper sheet first, then the lower sheet. Drive screws every 16 inches into studs, 3/8 inch from edges. Dimple each screw slightly below the surface - the dimple gets filled with compound.

Step 4: Tape the Joints

Apply a thin coat of joint compound to the joint with a 6-inch knife. Press paper tape into the wet compound, centered on the joint. Run the knife over the tape to embed it and remove air bubbles. Feather the compound out 4-6 inches on each side. Let dry completely.

Step 5: Apply Second and Third Coats of Mud

Sand the first coat lightly, then apply a second coat with a 10-inch knife, feathering out 8-10 inches on each side. A third coat is usually needed, feathering out to 12 inches. Lighter coats dry more evenly and shrink less than heavy coats.

Step 6: Sand, Prime, and Finish

Sand with 120-grit sandpaper on a pole sander. Wear a dust mask. Vacuum and wipe with a damp cloth. Prime with drywall primer before painting - standard paint soaks into unprimed drywall unevenly. Primer also raises remaining imperfections for final touch-ups.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Rushing to the next coat before the previous one is bone dry, which traps moisture and cracks later.
• Applying joint compound too thick on the first coat, causing shrinkage and visible cracking.
• Hanging walls before the ceiling when doing both, which removes the support the wall sheets would provide.
• Skipping drywall primer before paint, which soaks in unevenly and shows every seam and screw dimple.

Pro Tips

• Rent a drywall lift for ceiling work.
• Keep joint compound thin on early coats - thick mud shrinks and cracks.
• Don't rush between coats - compound must be bone dry before sanding or re-coating.
• Mesh tape is easier to apply than paper tape but more prone to cracking.
• Prime drywall before painting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which way should drywall be hung — horizontal or vertical? Horizontal hanging (perpendicular to studs) is generally stronger and creates fewer seams at eye level, and is the standard method for walls taller than a single sheet.

How many coats of joint compound does drywall need? Three coats is standard: a tape coat, a fill coat, and a finish coat, each sanded lightly between coats for a smooth wall.

How long does joint compound take to dry between coats? Standard joint compound needs about 24 hours to dry per coat. Fast-setting "hot mud" compounds can be recoated in 1–4 hours depending on the setting-time grade.