Are you renovating a room in your house and getting ready to put up drywall? If so, you might wonder whether it’s better to have the drywall end on a stud.
Drywall should always end on a stud. It strengthens the Drywall panels and walls and keeps your drywall steady. Installing without studs is possible but not recommended. You can use Drywall clips which can act as a stud.
We all know that there are many ways to do things regarding home improvement projects. Sometimes it seems like there’s no right or wrong way to do things, just whatever works best for you. But when it comes to hanging drywall, there is a right and a wrong way to do it.
Do Drywalls Have to End on Stud?
Yes, drywall panels should always end on the stud. As the general rule, you must have the panel’s right or left side halfway over a stud.
Generally speaking, drywall sheets that are sold in pairs don’t come with studs; instead, you need to attach them to the wall studs to keep them in place. Some studs are 16 inches apart, which can go up to 24 inches.
Deciding the distance between studs is crucial to determine which drywall panel will be an excellent pick for your renovation project.
If you want to hang new drywall over an existing one, you can use a stud finder, which measures the wall’s density and can determine where studs are in the wall. All you need to do is find the first stud, and the other studs will likely be 16 or 24 inches apart.
Why Drywalls Should End On Stud?
Securing drywall edges adequately to wall studs will strengthen both drywall panels and walls. However, the most significant benefit of hanging drywall to wall studs is that it offers an unmatchable strength and keeps your sheetrock steady.
If you install drywall without securing your panels to studs, it’ll crumble and break apart. Moreover, you’ll need to use a lot of drywall mud and tape to attain an even surface.
In addition, walls expand and contract as the weather changes. If your panels are not connected properly to studs, the joint compound will chip away due to expansion, compromising the entire drywall.
What Is The Right Way To Hang Drywall?
Drywall panels are easy to carry, handle, and hang. As long as there’s a guide to follow and you don’t hang your Drywall backward, anyone (homeowners and DIYers) can install drywall to renovate a certain room.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to hang your Drywall over a stud:
Step #1 Measure and Cut Your Drywall
First of all, you need to measure the dimension of your room. You have to determine where the first sheet’s end will land. To do so, you can measure out from a corner (perpendicular to the joists or the strapping).
You’ll need to cut the sheet if the drywall’s edge does not end on studs or joists. Mark the surface and hook a T-square alongside the mark. Use a utility knife, score the drywall surface and cut it.
Step #2 Cover the Ceiling
Following a specific order is recommended to make the renovation process fast and easy. As drywalling over the ceiling is the hardest job, it would be best to install ceiling drywall first and then work on the walls.
Step #3 Locate Studs
Yes, the drywall end should always fall over the studs. However, the studs should also anchor through the center of the drywall sheets. To locate interim studs between panels, you can use a stud finder. Once you find the stud, use a long level and chalk to mark vertical lines down the drywall sheet to find other studs.
Step #4 Screw the Drywall to the Studs
Next, secure your drywall by fastening drywall screws through the drywall panels to the wall studs, don’t worry Drywall screws can hold a lot. The screw shouldn’t be less than 1/4 inch from the edge. To screw drywall fasteners, you can use a Philips-head bit with a variable-speed drill.
Once the screw bite into the stud, slow up the drill but keep a firm pressure. Remember that the screw head should recess below the drywall surface, but no more than 1/8 inch.
Step #5 Finish the Drywall
Repeat the above-mentioned steps to secure all drywall panels. Once done, apply drywall mud into the joints and run drywall tape over it. You should use as much joint compound as necessary to hide all imperfections and seams.
Let your drywall dry out, and then sand the surface. You don’t want to over-sand the surface. Otherwise, you’ll need to apply drywall tape again. Next, prime your drywall and paint it, if desired!
How To Secure Drywall Without Studs?
Installing drywall without studs is not only tricky but also risky. This doesn’t mean it’s impossible. To secure drywall panels without studs, you’ll need a screwdriver, drywall screws, and drywall clips.
Drywall clips are usually used to make false corners. However, if properly used, these small tools can help you secure drywall without studs. There are different types of drywall chips available out there in a variety of sizes and shapes.
You can use the following guide to hang drywall with no studs:
- To get a structurally sound starting point, make sure you have at least a few drywall panels attached to wall studs.
- Push drywall clips onto the already hung drywall’s edges. Use a hammer and lightly tap drywall clips to ensure they are seated properly.
- Next, use a drywall clip as the anchor to hang drywall panels. Place multiple clips at least 16 inches apart from each other.
- Use an electric screwdriver to secure the seated drywall clip. Make sure the clips are slightly below the drywall’s surface. Once you apply joint compound, drywall clips will hide completely.
- Slide the drywall panel into the clip channel and ensure the drywall panels are firmly abutting each other.
- Use screwdrivers to screw the drywall to the drywall clips.
FAQs:
Do You Have To Screw Drywall Into Every Stud?
Yes. As the general rule, you should use drywall screws every 12 inches. So, if you are working on a 48-inch drywall panel, you’ll need to install 5 screws in each stud (3 in the field & 2 on the edge) if the drywall hung perpendicularly.
How Far Should Edge Drywall Be From Screw?
Drywall screws should be installed 12 inches apart from the ceiling, 16 inches on the wall, and from 1/2 inch to 3/8 inch away from the edges and ends of the panel. You should sink the screw slightly below the surface, leaving the drywall paper intact.
Should Drywall Be Butted Tight?
It’s not recommended to butt drywall panels tight to each other. As the wall expands and contracts as the weather changes, too-tight drywall panels will put a lot of pressure on each other, causing them to crack and break apart. Check out this article if you want to know how tight they need to be.
How Big Of A Gap Can You Fill With Drywall Mud?
It is recommended to leave 1/8-inch of the gap between drywall panels. It protects your panels from expansion and contraction, and you don’t have to use too much drywall mud. Alternatively, you should never leave more than 1/4 inch of gap between two drywall panels.