How to Hang Drywall Horizontally

Drywall is installed to cover studs, wires and pipes, and to create walls to separate your home into rooms. You can make textured or smooth walls with drywall, depending on your finishing technique. The key is breaking up the joints. One effective way to accomplish this is by hanging some of your drywall horizontally.

Things You'll Need

• 4-foot carpenter's T square
• Tape measure
• Carpenter's pencil
• Razor knife
• Keyhole saw
• 4-by-8-foot-by-1/2-inch drywall boards
• Leather work gloves
• Safety glasses
• 2 drywall kicker levers
• Screw gun
• 1 1/2-inch drywall screws

Instructions

1. Measure from the top of the corner of two studs and mark the vertical stud 48 inches down. Measure from the same corner and mark the center of the horizontal stud that is 96 inches or less from your starting point.

2. Measure and mark these measurements onto a drywall board. Cut off the excess scrap with your razor knife. Cut out holes for outlets and switches with your keyhole saw.

3. Hold your prepared drywall board into position at the top of the wall and aligned with your marks on the studs. The drywall board should be flush in the corner. Fasten the board into place with your screw gun and 1 1/2-inch drywall screws.

4. Measure, mark, cut and hang your next board beside the first. Continue hanging drywall around the top of the walls until you have circled the room.

5. Measure 48 inches down from the bottom of the first board you installed. If this length is less than 48 inches, mark the stud at a spot that is 2 inches above the floor and transfer this measurement to your drywall board. Cut the drywall.

6. Place your new, cut drywall board on the floor an inch away from the wall at the bottom and leaning against the studs at the top.

7. Place a drywall kicker lever under each side. Step onto one of the kickers while your helper steps on the other to lift the board. Press on the kickers to ensure a tight joint between the bottom and top drywall boards. Fasten the board into place with your screw gun and 1 1/2-inch drywall screws.

8. Continue measuring, marking, cutting and hanging the bottom set of drywall boards. The joints between the bottom and top boards should be staggered so that they are at least 30 inches apart.

9. Tape, texture and paint your drywall.

Tips & Warnings

• The room you are remodeling determines what type of drywall you should use. If you are hanging drywall in a kitchen, bathroom or other room where the walls are exposed to high amounts of moisture and/or temperature changes, then you should use moisture-resistant "green board." Standard drywall will suffice in other rooms where the air is dry and stable.

• Take your time and be sure to hang the drywall as tightly as possible against the previous board to ensure smooth joints.

• Wear safety glasses and leather work gloves when working with tools.

References

• Drywall Installation