How to drywall a room

Overview

The secret to good drywall is simple: hang sheets tightly with staggered joints, screw them securely into framing, and build up joint compound in thin, wide coats. The finish work takes most of the time — plan for three coats of mud plus drying time between each.

Step 1: Measure and estimate

Measure each wall and the ceiling. Use the drywall calculator to estimate how many 4x8 or 4x12 sheets you need — it uses a layout-based count that includes waste — plus tape length and joint compound buckets. Buy a little extra for mistakes and repairs.

Step 2: Hang the ceiling first

Hang ceiling sheets first so wall sheets support them. Two people make this much easier, or use a drywall lift. Screw into ceiling joists every 12 in along the edges and 16 in in the field. Keep seams tight and stagger joints between adjacent sheets.

Step 3: Hang the walls and cut openings

Hang wall sheets vertically or horizontally, screwing into studs. Measure and cut around windows, doors, and electrical boxes — a drywall saw or rotary tool works best. Cut-outs should be slightly smaller than the opening so screws land in solid framing.

Step 4: Tape the joints

Apply a thin coat of joint compound over each seam and embed paper tape (or mesh tape) into it. Do inside corners with a corner knife. Let it dry, then lightly scrape any ridges before the next step.

Step 5: Mud, feather, and sand

Apply three coats of joint compound over the tape, each wider than the last (6 in knife, then 10–12 in), feathering the edges so they blend into the wall. Let each coat dry fully, then sand smooth — use a pole sander for big areas and a sanding block for corners. Wear a dust mask.

Step 6: Prime and paint

Prime the entire wall — joint compound is porous and will flash through paint without primer. Then apply your finish coats. Use the paint calculator to estimate gallons for the room, and the plaster calculator if you're also patching plaster elsewhere.

Cost and time

• Materials: $300–$800 for a typical room, depending on size.
• Time: 2–4 days including dry time between mud coats.
• Tools: utility knife, drywall saw, screw gun, 6 in and 10–12 in knives, pole sander, dust mask.

Finishing tips

• Don't skip priming — it's essential over joint compound.
• Keep mud coats thin. Thick coats crack and take forever to dry.
• Watch for drywall screws that pop through the paper — set them just below the surface without tearing it.
• For a smooth texture, apply a light skim coat over the whole wall rather than sanding heavy ridges.