My Old Workshop | Category Archives: DrywallDrywall Archives

Home improvement and renovation tips

How to frame an inside corner

When you're framing a wall, inside corners can throw a curve at you. (I know, we're stretching it, but couldn't resist.) In addition to building a strong wall, you need to provide a nailing surface for the drywall or other wall finish. If you simply erect one wall, and then erect the next one perpendicular ...

How to finish drywall expertly – sanding tips

When it comes to sanding drywall, use even pressure, and gently push and pull the sanding block over the mud. Toward the edges, you want to feather the mud, so it softly fades into the drywall. This means you won't end up with harsh, obvious ridges once you paint. To do this, use a circular, ...

How to finish drywall expertly

If you want a great finished drywall job, you need to start from the base up -- a good level surface, carefully hung drywall, and a good taping job. But after all that work, make sure you finish it off well with a great sanding job. Here are some tips to finish up perfectly.Let there ...

Drywall, wallboard types and uses (Part II)

Here are some other specialized types of drywall you may need at some point.Flexible If you have a curved wall, this innovation can be very handy, since it bends to the curve without painstaking and messy scoring of the paper. On outside curves, you can bend it to fit a curve with a 7" radius ...

Drywall, wallboard types and uses

And you thought drywall was drywall. Here's a look at the good ol' standby and some of the less common types you may need at some point.Regular drywall comes in thicknesses from 1/4" to 1/2" and ranges in length from 8' to 16'. It's 4' wide, and while you might not believe it after hauling ...

The most common drywall mistakes (Part II)

Some more mistakes to avoid when drywalling.Applying too much mud at one time. As thick layers of mud dry, they crack. You can fill the cracks, but it adds to your work.Applying too much mud, period. The trick to successful drywalling is applying enough mud to cover the seam and leave a flat plane (in ...

The most common drywall mistakes (Part I)

Drywall can be a satisfying job when you do it right. It can also be frustrating when you neglect some basics. Here are some common irritating drywall mistakes and how to avoid them.Not preparing a flat surface before hanging the drywall. It's a little extra work to begin with, but in the end, you'll appreciate ...

What drywall tools do you need? (Part III)

More drywall "stuff".Corner bead This is a metal strip you screw or nail onto outside corners. While you can simply tape and finish the corner, the metal adds strength to protect from chipping when the corner is bumped, and gives you a straight line. Since the rounded metal bead protrudes, you also have an area ...

What drywall tools do you need? (Part II)

Here are more materials and tools to think about before your drywall job. Tape The experts continue to argue the merits of paper versus fiberglass. Paper tape must be applied with a thin layer of drywall compound, while fiberglass has an adhesive which saves you a step. Both are strong. Try both and use the ...

What drywall tools do you need? (Part I)

You can get by doing drywall with a minimum of tools and materials, but if you want the job to go well -- without frustration -- there are a few things you may want to consider.Knives Drywall knives come in various widths. You might be able to get by with two -- either a taping ...