Drywall is relatively easy to transport, but it can be cumbersome to carry by yourself, especially when you buy bigger sheets that are much heavier. So, how are you supposed to carry and bring them home?
The best way to bring Drywall home is by renting a rental truck or, when using a passenger car, a trailer. You should use more spacious transport for bigger Drywall as the material is quite brittle. You should never use a rooftop to transport Drywall, as the wind pressure will break your sheets.
Before you decide on buying a whole bunch of Drywall and bringing them home in your car, I would advise you to read this article first because you’ll most likely be going to change your mind.
The good news is that it’s not hard, and you can do it without buying a car trailer.
How Heavy Is A Sheet Of Drywall?
Well, there are different types of Drywall sheets available out there. The actual weight of your Drywall will depend upon several factors, such as the Drywall type, size, thickness, and much more. On average, a 1/2-inch regular Drywall sheet with dimensions of 4×8 can weigh up to 51 pounds.
However, there are also ultralight regular Drywall sheets available out there. 1/2-inch lightweight Drywall with dimensions of 4×8 can weigh up to 39 pounds. For more info on how much Drywall weighs, click this article.
What Is The Easiest Way To Carry Drywall To Home?
Drywall is made of gypsum enclosed in two sheets of paper. Therefore, this wall covering material is quite brittle. You have to be extra careful while handling these panels – especially if you are moving them from one place to another.
Different people use different methods. While some use their vehicle to transport their car, others prefer getting panel carts.
However, we don’t recommend transporting Drywall in your car, especially if you have a smaller car. This is because you might have to cut the sheets in half due to their sizes. In addition, Drywall is also very porous. So, if it’s raining or snowing, you might ruin your panels and your car in the process even before you reach home.
Using a Rental Truck
Sometimes, the most obvious solution is the best solution. Renting a truck is undoubtedly the best way to bring Drywall home – especially if you live far away! Keep in mind that Drywall is not very forgiving for potholes. To transport your sheets, you need a flat surface that isn’t too tight. If the floor is not even, put a thick blanket to ensure it doesn’t shift or scratch the surface.
Using a pickup truck to transport your Drywall might cost you some extra bucks, but you’ll be able to bring Drywall home safely. You can ask the supplier to deliver the Drywall sheets to the desired destination to get a discount. With this approach, you don’t have to worry about breaking your Drywall at all.
The cost of a rental truck depends upon several factors, such as your selected company and the distance. On average, you might have to pay $20-$35 an hour. This might seem like a little too much, but it’s cheap insurance that you’ll get your Drywall without breaking it.
How Do You Haul Drywall In A Pickup?
Suppose you’ve decided to rent a pickup. Make sure that it’s a large one if you buy larger panels. For 4×12 Drywall, you should have at least a 6-ft bed.
Here’s a step-by-step guide explaining how to haul Drywall in a pickup truck:
- Lay out two straps across the truck bed
- Next, lay out two 12-ft 2x4s. they will support the overhang
- Use cardboard corners to protect the edges of your Drywall
- Make sure the bottom straps are properly tightened
- Use two straps to tie down the edge of the sheet with the bumper and the truck bed
That’s it! Afterward, you can simply transport your Drywall anywhere you want.
How Do You Carry Drywall By Yourself?
Moving Drywall sheets on your own is not recommended, especially if you have heavy panels. Even if you are moving smaller Drywall sheets, you should have at least one more person with you. With this approach, you’ll be able to carry Drywall without worry.
However, if, for some reason, you must carry Drywall on your own, you can still do it. It might be a bit harder and take more time, but definitely doable.
Here’s a complete step-by-step guide on how to move your Drywall on your own:
Weigh Your Drywall
First, you should ensure you can carry the Drywall sheet without breaking your back in the process. To do so, find the actual weight of your Drywall. If you think the Drywall is too heavy, it’s best to get somebody else; this even applies if you have a Drywall lift.
You can carry the sheets independently if you feel confident, and the sheets are lightweight. However, you’re probably required to get the Drywall lift if you are short. And if you’re lucky and tall, you can probably fit under Drywall without dropping it.
Preparation
Before you move the Drywall, you must prepare your room. Always make sure your room is spacious enough to carry Drywall. Remember that you’ll be moving around with a huge board on your side. So, the last thing you want is to find an empty place in a tiny room.
Therefore, empty the room beforehand. You should never leave or store Drywall outside (especially when it’s raining). This is because Drywall is porous, and the moisture will seep through the sheet immediately and ruin it.
Move Your Drywall
Once you have a clear idea of where you want to put your Drywall, you can start carrying it. You should never carry a Drywall sheet with your bare hands. Always wear gloves and (or) use a Drywall lift. You don’t need a lift if the board is too high or there are a lot of doors to maneuver around.
While moving your Drywall, make sure to put one hand on the edge and the other in the middle. Due to the weight, you might have to grip the edge tightly. However, don’t squeeze the sheet too hard.
How Do You Transport Drywall On A Roof?
Moving Drywall on a roof can be quite tricky. You have to deal with a lot of weight and edgy corners. However, it’s not a lost cause. You can use panel carts to move your Drywall sheets on a roof as they are quite easy to maneuver.
However, remember that not all types of carts can be used to transport Drywall sheets due to their awkward dimensions. In addition, Drywall sheets weigh a lot. A 4×12 panel can weigh up to 80 pounds. Multiply that by your room’s dimensions, and you look at a back-breaking load.
While using panel carts, make sure to:
- Stack Drywall sideways, like books on a shelf
- As you’ll be going upward, firmly tie your sheets to the cart
- You should use a soft deck to avoid cracking your Drywall
- Don’t move too many sheets on your own
You can also check our article explaining how to bring Drywall to the basement. Just like transporting Drywall on a roof, moving it into a basement is also quite tricky. Therefore, you should find out as many tips as possible to avoid accidents.
FAQs:
Can Drywall Fit In SUV?
While most SUVs can handle this job, pickup trucks and cargo vans are the best vehicles to transport your Drywall. If you have 4×8 Drywall sheets, you can even use a minivan to move your panels. With a passenger car, you probably will have to rent a trailer. Using a rooftop to transport Drywall is not ideal, as the wind pressure will eventually break your sheets.