Drywall questions

[kerwinq]

I am going to be doing about 16 x 50 area including ceiling in drywall using 5/8 thick, since I will be doing this myself with the help of a lift would it be better to get 4x8 or 4x12 sheets? Not sure what the weight difference is between the two.

What length screws? 1 5/8
What is a good tape to use?

 

[GSSFC]

4x12 is always best. Fewer seams to deal with. If you have a lift the weight is a moot point. You'll be done quicker with the bigger sheets. Mesh tape, not paper is my preference.

Tim

 

[trailwart]

when i do drywall, it all depends on the walls for size sheets. for example, on 1 wall that was 24 feet long and 8 high i used 2 10' and 2 14 foot sheets, by doing it that way i had a joint at the 4 ft high mark the whole length where the sheets met and 1 joint from floor to ceiling where the 10 and 14's met. if i ran that wall with 8ft sheets vertical i would have joints from floor to cieling every 4 feet. some manufactures make 20ft sheets also, most places around me carry 12ft but can order 14,16,18,20' sheets.

 

[brownfoot]

trailwart,
guess you could have used 4 12 footers and had the same single floor to ceiling joint without the special order of the 14's
as far as the installation, bridging as many studs or joists as you can with a sheet keeps the surface flatter and so does staggering the joints
1 3/8 screws are long enough, give 3/4" engagement with the wood, spacing is more critical than length, I used the double screw method on my 5/8 fireboard ceiling, 2 screws 4" apart every foot across the sheet
check that the surface that you are mounting to is flat, maybe even shim/furr to within at most 1/4"

I agree with the mesh tape for the surface joints, although the standard paper seems to work better for me in the inside corners

 

[Justanoldguy]

That usually indicates water damage. Find a good spot and poke a hole through the drywalll and inspect the gypsum for evidence of water. It it's dry, then the most likely reason for the drywal to have fallen is that the original fasteners (nails or screws) were driven too far into the surface, breaking clear through the paper instead of just dimpling it, and thus reducing the ability of the drywall sheet to support it's own weight.

Not sure what your post has to do with this thread, but moving on.
In NZ we professionals always use paper tape. The mesh tape is less stable and can cause cracking of joints.
Seems the mesh tape is designed for the DIY market as it is easier for newbies to apply. JM2CW

 

[harvero]

Have you tried lifting a 4X12 sheet yourself. I've broken the 4X8 sheets by lifting them by myself.

 

[Herb]

Use polyurethane adhesive- A LOT- on all rafters. You will thank yourself in the long run!

 

[rodnok1]

It does **** to muscle 12 footers by yourself onto a lift, walls not so bad, but it's hard on the edges.

 

[rwhite692]

Use 4x12 sheets, and hire someone to hang and tape them.

 

[kerwinq]

Use 4x12 sheets, and hire someone to hang and tape them.

I would if I had the money, had several quotes and they were all around 3K

 

[v7guy]

the bigger the sheets the better, the more joints you tape the better you'll get... after a couple of rooms I was pretty decent. 1/2 of my paper tape joints failed over a few months. spend another $2 and get the mesh, it's soooo much easier to use.