How to Tape a Drywall Box
When pipes or ductwork must be hidden, a common solution is to "box" them in. This means that a wood framework is built around them, which is then covered in drywall. After that, finish the drywall with tape and joint compound to prepare the surface for paint. To do so, you will need some basic drywall tools and supplies, all of which are inexpensive and available at most building-supply stores. After that, it's just a matter of installing corner bead on the exterior corners and then embedding tape over the joints. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Metal corner bead
- Tin snips or construction shears
- Drywall nails
- Hammer
- Joint compound
- Drywall tools
- Sanding pole
- 100-grit sandpaper
Instructions
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Cover any exterior angles (the corners of the box) using metal corner bead. First, cut the metal corner bead to size using tin snips or construction shears. Attach the metal corner bead to the corner with drywall nails and a hammer. Install one nail every 6 to 8 inches. Be careful not to drive nails into the ductwork or pipes inside the box.
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Mix the joint compound according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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Embed paper drywall tape over each joint where two panels of drywall meet. To do this, use a 6-inch drywall knife to cover each joint with a generous coat of joint compound, then lay a piece of drywall tape on the joint compound. Wipe the tape with your drywall tools until the tape is smooth and free of wrinkles.
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Cover any screw or nail heads with a thin coat of joint compound.
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Allow the work to dry. Check the joint compound manufacturer's recommendations if you are unsure how long this will take. Typically, premixed joint compound needs at least 24 hours to dry.
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Cover the entire box with a thick coat of joint compound. Use a 12-inch drywall knife to cover a large area at once. The smoother you can leave your work, the easier the following steps will be. Allow the joint compound to dry.
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Sand the entire box with a sanding pole equipped with 100-grit sandpaper. If you wish, attempt to sand the box without the pole, but you will probably find the job exhausting.
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Apply a thin coat of joint compound to the entire box by wiping the joint compound away completely. This fills in any small divots or sanding marks that your first coat left. If necessary, repeat this step several times until the entire box is smooth.
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Smooth down the metal corners of the box with a piece of sandpaper until the metal is clearly visible. When you are done, the corners should be clean and smooth. The box is now ready for primer and paint.
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Tips & Warnings
Take note of where the pipes and ductwork are inside the box so that you can avoid puncturing them with nails or screws.
