Step 37 - Sheetrock Nails & Screws

Tips

Nails or Screws

Properly installing and finishing drywall may not be as simple as it seems. There are several factors that need to be considered. To install perfectly, subtle techniques must be employed. The following is a discussion of the things that you need to keep in mind while installing drywall, including the recommended sheetrock nails & screws to use.

 

Temperature - When installing drywall and gypsum finishing materials, it is ideal to do it at temperatures no lower than 55oF. This is because a lot of materials including drywall tend to contract or expand depending on the temperature. When installing drywall panels during cold weather, provide a 1/8" gap between the sheets to accommodate expansions. Drywall finishing products are known to fare poorly in temperatures lower than 55oF and if left alone to freeze before drying up completely, they can lose strength and bonding properties.

 

Humidity - Drywall contraction and expansion problems can also be due to humidity. Drywall has the tendency to expand by ½" for every 100 feet with a 13% or more decrease in humidity, and can cause the boards to become wavy. Ceiling drywall can also sag in-between framing parts from excessive humidity. Nothing can be done when this happens as the gravitational force will pull down the drywall and the bowed shape will be retained. " Framing Members - These should always be aligned to ensure a quality job. Twisted or bowed walls will cause waves and framing members that are misaligned can result to nail pops. In many cases, the nail heads will puncture the paper that covers the core.

Other Things We Learned Along The Way

5 Sheetrock Mistakes Everyone Makes and How to Fix Them

How to Clean Sheetrock Mud

How to Estimate Drywall and the Cost of Materials

Learning to Plaster: The Simple Way

Sheetrock Prices Revealed & Installation Tips

Recommended Sheetrock Nails & Screws

Damaged Panel Edges - Usually, drywall panel edges get accidental bumps during delivery or installation resulting to fractures. Although the paper covering may seem intact, the gypsum core may be fractured. Blister-like spots may appear and these should be removed as well as other fractured core materials. Never install fasteners through damaged areas as these will have little or no ability to hold fasteners. Likewise, sagging boards or panels may happen later.

 

Recommended Sheetrock Nails & Screws - These fasteners should be of the right length. If the nails are too long, they will pop in the event of lumber shrinkage. A half inch drywall best works with 1 ¼" annular drywall nails that are ring-shanked. The same applies for screws as well. It is very important that you use only screws and nails that are intended for drywall as they have specifically-shaped heads that will not tear the paper when recessed slightly.

On the other hand, driving a screw or nail deeper than necessary will result in paper tearing around the fastener. This will greatly reduce the ability of the screw or nail to hold. Ideally, nails and screws must be driven about 1/32" lower than the surface. To do this, pressure must always be applied by the hand to the board right before the nail or screw starts to recess. The board must be pressed tightly against the framing parts when fasteners are being driven. It is also important that there is sufficient amount of fasteners used and that there is enough spacing between them.

Using the proper nails and screws is very important in completing the job successfully. If you are not sure which nails or screws to buy, make sure to inquire when you are purchasing the supplies at your local hardware store.

Navigation

The Land

 

Planning

 

Construction

 

Framing Phase

Rough-in Phase

Drywall Phase

Interior Carpentry

Flat-work Phase

Paint & Stain

Finishing Phase

Completion