See Jane Drill – Drywall Like a Pro

January 28, 2016

Drywall Like a Pro – 4 Trade Secrets

Putting in drywall is a surprisingly easy job if you just know a few basic tricks. In this article and video series, we show and tell you all our best drywall secrets that we know, to get you started on installing drywall in your home. Follow the steps outlined below, and you will soon be able to drywall like a pro!

Trade Secret #1 Make a perfect cut

It really does matter how you cut the board. The crisper the cut, the better the taping will go. A bad jagged drywall cut equals trouble ahead in the taping department, because a rough-cut joint creates lumps in your joint compound, which will result in a poor finish. Here’s the secret to a perfect cut. Drywall is made from rock, so you will dull and use a lot of utility blades if you try to cut through the drywall entirely. You only need to cut through the paper (scoring the surface), then from the backside of the board apply a little pressure to the scored line and snap. It’s that simple, and you’ll have a perfect cut every time.

Trade Secret #2 Tape perfectly clean, sharp inside corners

Inside corners can be a challenge when you lack the proper tool. While skills matter somewhat when taping a corner, the most important factor is that you have and use a corner trowel. If you’re faced with a large drywall job, invest in a corner trowel and it will greatly improve the overall appearance of your project, delivering clean, sharp corners and an impeccable finish.

Trade Secret #3 Create plumb, square outside corners

It is what is invisible to the eye which is the secret to a perfectly plumb and square outside corner. Corner bead is a rigid metal strip, embedded beneath the surface of joint compound. It is fastened to the outside corner of the wall to protect the corner from damage, while also insuring a crisp, straight outside line. Install corner bead on all of your outside corners and you’ll be on your way to achieving the professional appearance you want.

Two views of sanding screen, an essential component in sanding drywall

Trade Secret #4 Make sure your taping is perfectly seamless

While most DIY’ers don’t have the taping expertise of a a professional drywaller, painstaking, meticulous sanding is the great equalizer. Sanding takes little ability. With hard work and a determination not to cut corners, you too can enjoy a flawless, seamless finish. The secret is, use sanding screen, and it will greatly improve the effectiveness of your sanding efforts.

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