How to Cut Drywall
Whether you're cutting a long straight piece of drywall, or taking out a piece to make room for a fixture such as an electrical outlet, make sure your measurements are correct and your hand is steady.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Measuring Tapes
- Utility Knives
- Sheetrock Square
- Chalk Line
- Keyhole Saw
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Cutting Holes in Drywall
-
1
Measure the exposed area from where the edge of your drywall will start to the close and far edge of the fixture you are accommodating. Measure from top to bottom of the area and side to side.
-
2
Transfer your measurements to the sheet of drywall and cut with a keyhole saw (push saw).
-
3
Cut a circular hole by measuring to the center of the target area from the edges of the drywall. Measure the radius (from the center of the circle to the circumference, or outer edge) of the fixture and transfer this measurement to a compass.
-
4
Draw a circle on the drywall, using the compass, and cut out with keyhole saw.
Cutting Straight Edges
-
1
Measure the exposed area of wall to determine what size piece of drywall you'll need to cut. Make sure the end measurements line up with the center of a ceiling joist or wall stud.
-
2
Set the drywall on sawhorses, finished side up.
-
3
Mark measurements on finished side of drywall, on both edges of the sheet.
-
4
Chalk a line between top and bottom marks. (See "How to Snap a Chalk Line" in Related eHows.)
-
5
Cut or score along the chalk line using a utility knife. (A cut 1/16 inch deep is sufficient. Once the paper is cut you'll get a pretty clean break.) You may want to use a Sheetrock square (an oversized T-square) as your guide.
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6
Snap the drywall back away from your scored line.
-
7
Fold the drywall slightly and cut through the paper backing, along the fold, using a utility knife. You'll get the cleanest cut from the back side instead of sticking your knife through the cut/break.
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1
Tips & Warnings
If you start measuring the exposed wall space in a corner, go against the intersecting wall and measure out to the stud that is closest to the overall length of your drywall. (Eight-foot drywall is the easiest to handle but sheets can be purchased in lengths up to 16 feet.)
Make sure that you keep a sharp blade in your utility knife. It makes for easier and cleaner cutting.
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Comments
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superdave42
Oct 14, 2007
Many times you will have fairly rough edges after scoring, snapping, and back-cutting because of the occasional hard or soft spot in the gypsum. I always smooth out the high spots so that my measured line is accurate for a tight fit. Take a rasp or a course file and knock off any gypsum jutting past your cut line; only a few quick passes should be required. I have also found that the back of a keyhole saw will scrape away high spots in a pinch. Try not to roughen the paper with either technique. The time spent cleaning up the edges will be returned later when you are applying mud, because nice tight-fitting edges will require less mud and you won't have issues with extended drying time or shrinking.
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superdave42
Oct 14, 2007
Many times you will have fairly rough edges after scoring, snapping, and back-cutting because of the occasional hard or soft spot in the gypsum. I always smooth out the high spots so that my measured line is accurate for a tight fit. Take a rasp or a course file and knock off any gypsum jutting past your cut line; only a few quick passes should be required. I have also found that the back of a keyhole saw will scrape away high spots in a pinch. Try not to roughen the paper with either technique. The time spent cleaning up the edges will be returned later when you are applying mud, because nice tight-fitting edges will require less mud and you won't have issues with extended drying time or shrinking.
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Feb 16, 2006
Cut your sheet of drywall to fit the space needed. Then, take a handful of drywall dust from off the floor (there should be plenty), and generously pat the rim of the outlet box, coating it with dust. Stand the drywall against the wall and, using your hand, pound the drywall at the box location. Move the drywall, and look at the back - the box should have left a powder outline. Using a rotozip tool, cut the outline of the box.
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Feb 16, 2006
Cut your sheet of drywall to fit the space needed. Then, take a handful of drywall dust from off the floor (there should be plenty), and generously pat the rim of the outlet box, coating it with dust. Stand the drywall against the wall and, using your hand, pound the drywall at the box location. Move the drywall, and look at the back - the box should have left a powder outline. Using a rotozip tool, cut the outline of the box.
