How many inches is an acceptable gap between the drywall and the floor? I am putting up some new drywall and started hanging one sheet from the top near the ceiling and then the next sheet on the row below the first sheet. There is about a 4" gap from the bottom of the lower sheet to the floor.

My questions are:

1. How many inches of gap are acceptable between the floor and drywall sheet?
2. If I do fill in the empty gap, is it ok to have the drywall completely touch the floor?

 

An inch or so is acceptable. Keeps water from wicking up. 4" is a bit much. Normal ceiling to floor height is a little over 8', so starting at the ceiling is the correct way, and two sheets will leave a small gap.

 

That's one of those details that is handled by pre-cutting all studs to account for a double top plate, a single bottom plate, and whatever is planned for flooring. But with basements and existing buildings you sometimes have to adjust the drywall you buy, as you can buy 54" wide sheets.

I never like it, but I have seen jobs where they left the gap in the middle and installed a piece of strapping behind each seam so the 4" fill piece would have support. It makes for a wide drywall seam and can be a pain with switch plates, but in the middle is a lot easier on the back.

The new approach for drywall is to seal it to the studs (adhesive) and caulk the wood below to the floor for air sealing. Is this a basement, renovation or other?

Bud

 

1/2" gap at the bottom is the norm. If the gap gets too wide it can make it difficult to install the base [the bottom would tend to push in]

 

Of course if you plan on 5 1/2" speedbase you don't have to finish the bottom 4", only install it as a filler.

 

This is for a renovation in an old house for a kitchen that flows into a living room. Based on the advice so far, I think I am going to fill the gap with another long row of drywall because I think a 4" gap running all the way above the floor for a 12 x 30 ft area is too big of a gap.

Is it ok for the drywall to touch the floor? I like Bud's advice and one I get the drywall touching, or very nearly touching the floor, I may seal the final gap with caulk. Any downsides to this?

And do you guys really use adhesive between the drywall and wood studs? Seems like a lot of work, and I already have hung ALOT of drywall with screws, but didn't use any adhesive. I just thought that scews would be more than adequate.

 

Generally the use of adhesive allows for less screws/nails. I rarely use it but I'm not a drywall hanger.
IMO it's always best to keep the drywall a 1/2" or so off of the floor so it can't wick up any moisture that gets spilled on the floor. I had never heard of anyone caulking the gap between the drywall/floor but insulation and such is Bud's field.

 

The homes that glue the drywall and outside sheathing to the studs are looking for some very low air leakage numbers, nice, but not going to help a lot on a simple renovation.

If you support the top of that 3.5" strip with a 14" piece of strapping and the bottom can be screwed to the bottom plate it will be reasonably solid. Keep a 1/2" or so gap at the bottom to avoid a small water spill from wicking up into the drywall. I hope your back forgives you .

Bud

Sorry for duplicating, I had a call inbetween.

 

Great advice guys. And thanks Bud. I was also wondering for making the living room soundproof-ish to adjacent bedrooms, do people also use caulk to seal the bottom of the drywall to the floor?

 

Soundproofing is normally achieved by placing insulation in the wall between the rooms.