Covering the walls question

[Dr.Fiero]

Hi all

Shop is largely built. I’m at the stage of doing the interior. Have 12.x ft walls.

I’ve put up the 4*8 sheets of 5/8 ply vertically, and I’m about to do the horizontal run along the top. I’m looking for any hints and tips on getting them up there and secured, whilst not killing myself! It’s 106 lineal feet, so about 14 sheets. I’ve done everything solo so far. Have a drywall lift (still in its box! Ha ha!) but didn’t think it would be able to go up against the wall enough to get the sheet up there.

 

[Dr.Fiero]

It’s hard to tell with nothing for size reference, but that “short” wall at the end is 26ft across.

 

[Lucid Moments]

If I were you I would look into renting scaffolding.

 

[manwithtools]

Why bother? I'd use metal up that high (like for the outside of buildings), it will never get damaged and it's easier and lighter to lift.

If you have to do plywood, I'd use scaffolding and recruit a couple of friends. 5/8" get's a little heavy up that high.

 

[raylloyd]

I think you can do it with the drywall lift. Might have been a little easier if you did the top first...the bottom holder on the lift could go between the studs. I would screw a couple chunks of 2 x 4 at the top of the drywall you have in place. Then crank the sheet up, lift the bottom of the plywood from the lift to rest on the 2x4. Then push it up and pop screws in. Remember to put the little stops on the bottom of the lift down each time. I forgot once and my 10ft sheet of drywall went kaboom.

 

[Dr.Fiero]

I do already have the sheets of ply. Got a good deal on a large purchase. $12 a sheet.
And I do need the wood all the way up since I’m doing BX, and need to secure to it.

The scaffold sounds like a plan. With wheels it would be solo doable.

I might also just split all the sheets in 1/2 to make it ladder liftable.

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

I drive a couple 16d nails in 4ft down from the top, rest the sheet on it as I screw it down and then pull the nails. But I hung the top row first.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I think you can do it with the drywall lift. Might have been a little easier if you did the top first...the bottom holder on the lift could go between the studs. I would screw a couple chunks of 2 x 4 at the top of the drywall you have in place. Then crank the sheet up, lift the bottom of the plywood from the lift to rest on the 2x4. Then push it up and pop screws in. Remember to put the little stops on the bottom of the lift down each time. I forgot once and my 10ft sheet of drywall went kaboom.

I drive a couple 16d nails in 4ft down from the top, rest the sheet on it as I screw it down and then pull the nails. But I hung the top row first.

You have a drywall lift, use it.

Like these guys mention, a simple ledger board (2x4) screwed flush with the top of the sheets already on the wall will make it easy. Hoist the sheet up on the lift and flip it up on the ledger board, screw/nail in place.

 

[HoosierMark]

You know there are times when doing things alone is great. This may be one of those times where getting someone to help you for a few hours could be really cheap. I have found many times two people can get the work done more then double what a single person can do. Also renting scaffolding is OK but I bought two sets of scaffolding from Menards for $119 each and have used the heck out of them. They allow my guy to work on my barn (14 high) that I am also in the process of finishing. You will probably also need it for your ceiling and then can sell it or just keep it for a while. Nice to have it when you need it and not worry about time constraints of renting.

 

[bad_idea]

A block and tackle with a plate clamp will make this easier. If you don't have a plate clamp a couple 'C' clamps will do the same thing. Attach the c clamps to the sheet along the 8' side about 3' in on each side, attach the hook of the block and tackle to a line between the two c clamps. Couple nails into studs directly above the lower sheets. Hoist sheet up onto the nails.

 

[Dr.Fiero]

So! Poked around with a few methods... and ended up going with the simplest.
I just cut all the sheets in 1/2.

I'm far from a huge person, but a 1/2 sheet can be grabbed with one hand and still let me climb up the 10ft ladder. Tip the bottom edge onto the top of the lower, and stand it up. Fire in a screw, and repeat. Over... and over... and over....

Didn't drop a single sheet, so I'll call it a win.

 

[CraigStu]

For anyone else contemplating a similar project the drywall lift I rented would move the sheet to near vertical. So it could be used in this situation. I would try w/o a ledger board, especially w/ 5/8 sheets, but a ledger would certainly make it a bit easier.

 

[mikec35]

So! Poked around with a few methods... and ended up going with the simplest.
I just cut all the sheets in 1/2.

I'm far from a huge person, but a 1/2 sheet can be grabbed with one hand and still let me climb up the 10ft ladder. Tip the bottom edge onto the top of the lower, and stand it up. Fire in a screw, and repeat. Over... and over... and over....

Didn't drop a single sheet, so I'll call it a win.

Good job... might have been easier if you did the horizontal sheets at ground level and the veritical ones on top

 

[rburke65]

Well I would have pushed the 4x8 sheets vertically up to the ceiling, which would have put me with the lower edge of the sheet at the 4’ level....chest high. Then I’d have willed or screwed a couple in the lower edge of the sheet....it ain’t going anywhere. My buddy and I did this with 4’x10’ sheets and a 10’ step ladder. Put the half sheet on the bottom.

 

[38Chevy454]

On my old garage, with 12 ft high walls, I put the bottom sheets horizontally. Then without need for any lift, I put the top sheets vertical. Used OSB 4x8 sheets.

Glad to see you figured out a way to do the job.

 

[grinch365]

Either way, you done GOOD !

I'd recommend painting them gloss white to help reflect the light. I used OSB on mine and it made a HUGE difference. I used oil based KILZ primer and the latex over that.

 

[Dr.Fiero]

Yep - doing the bottom sheets in white (gloss of course, for light, and also the gunk doesn't stick to the slick surface!), and the upper sheets in gloss grey.

Since the floor is already white, and the ceiling panels (obviously not shown yet) are also white... it was quickly turning into an operating theatre! Need that grey "stripe" to break it up.

This is the other reason I wanted the tall sheets down low (the color scheme was planned). If it was the other way around, the room would look almost upside down - or short at best.

 

[brownbagg]

screw a 1x4 on the edge of the bottom sheet to serve as a lip to hold plywood in place till you get a couple fastners in