Fastening Drywall, Sheetrock Installation Tips

On ceilings, use annular ring nails or drywall screws to fasten drywall panels to joists. On walls, use drywall nails or screws to attach panels to studs, top plate, and bottom plate. Panel joints should be centered against ceiling joists or wall studs and staggered so they don’t align with adjacent joints. Before installing wall panels, mark wall-stud locations on the floor and ceiling so you can find them easily after the panels are in place.

Driving screws with a screw gun or drill driver is easiest, particularly for ceilings. Most codes call for spacing fasteners every 8 inches along panel ends, edges, and intermediate supports. Position fasteners at least 3/8 inch from panel edges.
If you nail the panels, use a bell-faced or drywall hammer to dimple the drywall surface with the final blow on each nail head (but take care not to puncture the paper on the surface). This creates a small divot that will be filled with drywall compound during finishing.

1) To attach drywall to a ceiling, position a pair of stepladders or set up sturdy sawhorses and planks to serve as a low scaffold. Then you and a helper can hold each end of a panel in place against the ceiling joists. Start fastening near the center of each panel, then place a few fasteners at the edges until the panel can support its own weight. Continue until each panel is fully fastened.

2) For walls, begin at one corner. Push the panel tight against the ceiling, and fasten to the studs. Install the rest of the upper panels, then the lower ones. Force the lower panels tight against the upper ones before fastening.