How to Install and finish drywall

Hassle-Free Drywall Installation

Get the smoothest walls in your house
by working smarter, not harder
with Myron R. Ferguson

Hanging and taping wallboard doesn't have to be a back-breaking, messy job. With the right tools and materials, and some surprisingly simple techniques, anyone can have smooth walls and crisp seams. In this For Pros By Pros video series, drywall expert Myron R. Ferguson shares his no-nonsense tips for making the job go smoother, and for getting a perfect finish every time.

* membership required

Download the Article:
Taping Tricky Transitions

Online Members can read this related article from Fine Homebuilding magazine.

Lots of details add up to one good drywall job

Whenever you do a drywalling project, there are a lot of little things you can do to make the job go easier and end up with better results. In this video series, you will learn how to measure the house, and order the right materials; you will see how to plan and stage the job site to work efficiently; you will get tips on preparing the framing and hanging boards; and you will see all of the techniques necessary to finish the job right. After you watch this series, you should be more confident when tackling your next drywall project.

	7 Tips for an Accurate Takeoff Save money and time by ordering the ideal number and sizes of drywall sheets.
	7 Fixes Before Delivery Learn how to prep your framing so that drywall sits flat, and is easy to fasten securely.
	9 Secrets to an Effortless Install Planning ahead, having the right size crew, and using the correct tools will make any drywall project go smoother and faster.
	9 Rules for Hanging a Vaulted Ceiling A few smart decisions when you're measuring and laying out will make drywalling tall ceilings a snap.
	7 Tips for the Best Basic Finish Myron shows the secret to getting a perfect surface with almost no sanding.
	6 Steps to a Level-5 Finish (FREE) With the right tools, a bit of practice, and a little help, anyone can have this top-of-the-line finish.

DRYWALL

Completely revised and updated 3rd edition, with 100 new photos, and a new chapter on sound control.

Buy the book

Shop all Fine Homebuilding Books and DVDs

FURTHER RESOURCES ON FineHomebuilding.com

ESSENTIAL TECHNIQUES

Hanging Drywall on Basic Walls
Properly hung panels reduce the work of taping, mudding, and sanding

Finishing an Inside Corner
For a professional finish, you have to tape, then wait

Finishing an Outside Corner
Apply the right amount of compound and pressure on the corner bead

Energy-Smart Details: Airtight Drywall
Stop air leaks, and make your house more comfortable and energy efficient subscription required

How to Hang Drywall on a Gable End subscription required

How to Hang Drywall Overhead

TOOLS AND MATERIALS

What's the Difference: Premixed All-Purpose Joint Compound
Heavyweight, lightweight, and midweight types can be used straight from the bucket subscription required

Moisture-Resistant Drywall Choices
Treated-paper drywall vs. fiberglass-faced drywall

Drywall Calculator
Figure the amount of sheets, fasteners, and buckets of compound you will need for your job

VIDEO: Custom Taping Tool
A custom drywall taping knife is cheap, easy to make, and produces excellent results

VIDEO: Tajima Drywall Rasp
This combination rasp does 3 jobs better than the old single-duty models

TOOL REVIEW: Radius 360 Drywall Pole Sander
(Full Circle International)

TOOL REVIEW: Magic Trowel Drywall Trowel
(TexMaster Tools)

Myron R. Ferguson

Brian Walo
Fine Homebuilding is built around tradesmen who are passionate about their work, but Myron R. Ferguson is in a category all his own. You could search for a lifetime and never find another contractor who loves drywall as much as Myron. Myron has also completed a Building Performance Institute certification and is now a building-envelope analyst. When he's not heaving 'rock and slinging mud, he enjoys running in road races and spending time with his family in Galway, N.Y.

Find more videos and articles by Myron R. Ferguson

How-to Video Series

Tips, Tools, and Techniques

FURTHER RESOURCES ON FineHomebuilding.com

Myron R. Ferguson