Drywall Ceiling Installation

Attempting a drywall ceiling installation could turn into a Herculean task, especially if you're doing it for the first time and all alone. It's recommended that you get a few extra hands to help you execute this project. The ceiling installation is the tough part; once the ceiling is done, it makes the other walls look easy.

Step 1: Locate the Ceiling Joists

Joists are timber lines running in parallel length on the ceiling. These joists provide the primary support to the ceilings. One method to locate the joist is to drill an eight inch bit into the ceiling until you hit resistance and wood chunks start falling out. This is a sign of finding the joists.

Step 2: Marking the Joists

Use a chalked string to mark the exact length of the joists. Stretch the chalked string between the two walls, and then pull on the string from below and leave it. This will create the mark for you.

Step 3: Fixing Furring Strips

At this point the joist marks are in straight horizontal lines on the wall. Starting from wall A and ending at wall B, place the furring strips perpendicular to the joists. Do this in such a way that the furring strips start from wall C and end at wall D. Furring strips are nothing but long, thin strips of wood which are used as backing surfaces. Drill a two inch screw at every point of intersection between the joist and the furring strip. The distance between two furring strips should be 16 inches.

Step 4 - Drywall Layout

Hang the drywall sheets down the first wall until only a small portion of ceiling is left to fill. Take another sheet and hang it to finish at the adjacent wall, joining finished edges to finished edges and open edges to open edges. This is important so that you have no ridges when you finish.

Step 5 - Hang the Sheets

Before you hang the sheets you can apply a small amount of construction adhesive to the furring strips. This will give you a good bond and you will not have any sag in your ceiling. Use the 1-½ inch screws and drive it in at the edge and middle of the sheets to hold it in place. Once you've done that, drive a screw every 10 inches into the sheet along the furring strip.

Step 6 - Support with a Tee

Use a tee to support the drywall ceiling. Place the tee under the drywall sheet once it's in place to support the weight while you adjust the position of the drywall sheet. With the sheet in place and the tee acting as a wedge, drive the screws into the ceiling. The tee will make it easier to hang the drywall ceiling.