A Step-by-Step Guide to Installing a Durable Drywall Garage Ceiling
Unlike drywall in-house ceilings, garage ceilings usually don’t require a complete finish – standard levels of finish can suffice. Professionals recommend starting with the ceiling if you’re drywalling the entire garage. This helps get the more difficult task out of the way, but if you’ve already started the walls, don’t worry about it. Smaller wall sheets with strategic cuts can be utilized to allow for full size sheets to be hung on the garage ceiling for a strong, reliable build.
Account for any joints before beginning. Joints occur when two pieces of drywall edge up against each other and should be fastened to an intervening joist. Measure the length in which the sheet will reach and account for the joint beforehand. Knowing how long the sheet will reach and where it will end will aid in proper assembly, ensuring a stronger ceiling.
To make the job easier, it can be beneficial to use a drywall jack or 2x4s cut to the right height to ensure the sheet is securely in place before the screws are fastened. Drywall nails are cheaper, but screws are more reliable and will not accidentally puncture the newly hung drywall.
When the drying process is finished, finish the drywall joints with a layer of mud and a length of tape to ensure a weather-tight and strong fit. As a garage is usually just for storage it isn’t necessary to fully finish with a complete top coat, so the job can be kept simpler. After the tape is up, run a drywall knife over it to stick it in place and scrape away any excess mud that was forced out.
Following these tips can make the job a lot less troublesome, especially if it is your first time doing the work. Drywalling a ceiling takes patience and accuracy, and can be a monumental task for just one person, so consider bringing in a helper for a second opinion and extra light weight lifting. Taking the time to plan ahead and be methodical in your approach to drywalling a garage ceiling will finally pay off when your project is complete.
