Drywall construction is popular for its affordability and ease of installation with the right tools. Standard construction tools are needed, as well as specialized drywall tools like hammers and taping knives. Drywall sheets need to be cut to size and attached to frames with nails or screws. Plastering and sanding are also necessary for a smooth finish, and texture spray can be applied for aesthetics.
Drywall construction is popular for interior walls and ceilings because the materials are relatively inexpensive and easy to install, as long as the proper drywall tools are used. An individual or team planning to hang drywall panels will need many standard construction tools, including pencils, rulers, measuring tapes, utility knives, and sandpaper. Most jobs can be completed with common tools like hole saws, hammers, and power screwdrivers, while still having specialized tools like drywall hammers and taping knives. With dedication and the proper drywall tools at hand, large projects can be completed with ease and efficiency.
Drywall sheets usually need to be cut to size before they can be hung. An installer would take accurate measurements and calculate the shape and size of each panel, then draw cut lines on the sheets with a pencil and ruler. T-squares are useful for drawing long lines and maintaining proper angles when cutting pieces. Using a utility knife, an individual can follow the pencil line to partially cut through a sheet, then bend the panel at the cut until it comes loose. Bad cuts can be straightened using a metal file or utility knife.
You can use nails or screws to attach the drywall panels to the wall and ceiling frames. Some people use standard hammers or power screwdrivers, although specialized drywall tools are recommended to ensure nails or screws are driven far enough not to mar a panel. A drywall hammer has a convex head that prevents drilling into a sheet when driving a nail into place. Screw guns designed for drywall can be adjusted to prevent screws from going all the way through a panel. Holes for light fixtures or electrical boxes can be cut using a hand or power hole saw.
Plastering installed panels requires additional drywall tools. Putty knives and sturdy tape knives are commonly used for applying and smoothing plaster mix to walls. Nail holes, seams between panels and imperfect edges can be sufficiently covered during the plastering process. Because corners can be difficult to navigate with standard knives, an installer may want to invest in a set of corner knives, drywall tools that can delicately achieve the ideal finish.
The final step in a drywall job is to smooth out the bumps and excess plaster and, if desired, apply a coat of texture. Sanding can be done by hand or with power tools equipped with special drywall sandpaper. A sanded wall that is still uneven or showing gaps in the paneling may need to go through additional rounds of plastering and sanding until it’s perfected. As a finishing touch, texture spray is commonly used on ceilings and walls to enhance their aesthetics.
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