What Size Pieces Does Drywall Come In?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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comes in sheets. While the most common size is

4 x 8 feet

, you can purchase much larger lengths. Use a sheet size that minimizes the number of seams that will appear in the finished product. Drywall comes in various thicknesses, 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch being the most common.

What is the smallest drywall you can buy?


1/4-Inch Drywall

: The thinnest of all the options, 1/4-inch drywall is most commonly used as a skimming material.

Do they sell small pieces of drywall?

First of all, you can buy small pieces of drywall (3ft. x 3ft., or smaller)

at many home improvement stores

, and even some of the local drywall suppliers. … Your drywall hole repair will require a matching piece of drywall which is typically 1/2 – inch or 5/8 – inch in thickness.

Is it better to hang drywall vertical or horizontal?

On commercial jobs, fire codes often require seams to fall on the entire length of the framing, so the

drywall must be hung vertically

. … For walls 9 feet high or shorter, hanging the drywall horizontally has a number of benefits. Fewer seams. Horizontal hanging reduces the lineal footage of seams by about 25%.

Can you use 1/2 inch drywall ceiling?

Half

-inch

drywall panels are the standard thickness for interior walls, as well as ceilings. These panels are easy to carry and hang.

How much gap should be between sheets of drywall?

Unfortunately, there is no retroactive fix. However, during installation, be diligent about keeping that

1/8-inch space

between sheets by using a guide. The blade of a drywall square is about 1/8-inch thick and does the trick. Thin strips of wood can also be used as spacing guides.

Should drywall touch the floor?

3 Answers.

Drywall should definitely not touch concrete

as moisture will wick (ie flow up the surface as in a candle/lamp wick) into the drywall and encourage mold growth. 3/8′′ should be sufficient – your prop up plan is not only appropriate, but a common technique used by drywallers.

Does drywall have to end on stud?

All edges of all sheets of drywall must land on a solid surface such as a stud. A hanging drywall edge may work in the short-term, but in the long-term it can result in cracks and other serious wall issues. … Less often, drywall does not vertically reach a solid attachment point.

Can you hang drywall on 24 centers?


Always use 5/8 on 24′′ centers

. You can rent a drywall lift from “The Big Boxes” for about $30 a day so you won't kill your back trying to lift & shift the rock. If you use 1/2 it will sag eventually. When it sags you will get the “Amphitheater look” between each joist.

Do you need drywall under wood ceiling?


No, gypsum board is not required on the ceiling

, unless 1) HOA requires gypsum board for fire protection, 2) local Planning Department requires it due to proximity encroachment to property lines, 3) you live in a building with more than 3 units.

How big of a gap can you fill with drywall mud?

Another situation that calls for filling is a drywall gap between sheets that's more than

about 1/2 inch wide

. If you tape over a wide gap like this without filling it first, the tape will flex, and the joint compound covering it will chip away.

Should you sand between coats of drywall mud?

2 Answers. Yes,

knock off any bumps between coats

, but there's no need to get it perfect. A screen sander on the end of a pole is the best tool for this job. And it goes without saying that you should minimize any bumps while the mud is still drying to avoid having to sand it later.

How big of a hole can you fill with drywall mud?

Use spackle to repair holes

less than 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter

. Spackle can be used to repair holes up to the size of your hand. You will have to use a support like mesh or wire to repair holes larger than 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter.

Should you install flooring or drywall first?

In standard home construction,

the contractor installs the subfloor before installing the drywall

. In fact, the subfloor is one of the first features of construction, whereas drywall installation takes place toward the end of the project.

Should I drywall walls or ceiling first?

When hanging drywall,

always hang the ceiling first

. This is the hardest drywall to hang, so get a partner and go slow. Large cracks due to misaligned sheets are hard to repair because the extra mud required to fill them will constantly fall out and drop to the floor (or worse, down the back of your neck!).

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.