Can I drywall my walls before my ceiling
doyland2000
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
Hi,
I’m finishing my basement and am about to start drywalling my walls. I hadn’t yet decided on whether to use a drywall ceiling or a suspended panel type ceiling, but I really want to get the walls on. I read somewhere that you should always do the walls after the ceiling. Is this really absolutely necessary or just ‘recommended’. If I do the walls first is it really the end of the world or can I get round it somehow?
Thanks,
James
Replies
The reason for putting drywall on the ceiling first is because the walls can then support the edges which will only be attached every 16" Over time, the ceiling drywall can sag and crack. Even an unnoticeable sag can cause a hairline crack.
No, it's not the end of the world as we know it. And it may not even crack at all. And it is a basement after all. If it were me (and I had to install in that order), I would install nailers between the joists so that I could secure the ceiling drywall every 6 - 8 inches.
Do make sure that you use the right joint tape and joint compound otherwise you may get cracks even with the extra drywall screws.
-Don
Just install the walls with a gap at the top to receive the ceiling drywall.
On a slight tangent, there are systems that allow you to use suspended ceilings with the track directly attached to the framing, ie, you don't lose the 3" of height.
ceilingmax is one; I used it in my basement, because the top of the windows were only 2" below the bottom of the joists, so I would have to have been quite creative to use the normal suspended system, which needs 3" of space.
Go ahead rock he walls, make sure you bulid out with something to receive the edge of the sheetrock ceiling if you decide to go that way. You can pit blocking between joists to receive the ceiling.
mike
I THINK the REASON ya do the ciel first is so ya don't bash up the walls hanging it...
Leave a space at the top? You gotta be kidding me.
OP: hang the walls..put up the lid whenever with what ever.
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
There is no cure for stupid. R. White.
I'll be the lone voice of dissent.
Hang the walls first and you will be in for a major hassle if you decide to drywall the lid later. The lid always goes on first... it's a time-tested thing, it's easier and faster and better, and it's what you want to do. Leaving a gap at the top so you can slide ceiling board in later will suck!
With any project, do all the planning first, then do all the work. Hold off on the walls, decide what the ceiling will be, and then do the job in the right order.
do all the planning first, then do all the work....
It should be obvious, but that is the best advice I've read here today.
Almost everytime time I/we've tried to do something out of it's traditional order for what ever reason it goes FUBAR
Definition? FUBAR? I think the second word is up... I think I know the first one too. What's the BAR for?
I know some smart azz is going to tell me it's a place to put my glass - but I mean the other one.
Don K.
EJG Homes Renovations - New Construction - Rentals
"Beyond All Repair" handles that you didn't know. And yeah, I think you got the first 2 correct.