Hung drywall on a ceiling once without help. Worst DIY decision I ever made. Get a buddy or rent a lift. Your back will thank you.
Why Ceilings Are Different
Gravity works against you. A 4×8 sheet of half-inch drywall weighs about 50 pounds. Holding that overhead while driving screws is brutal. Professional crews use lifts or have multiple people. Solo ceiling work is a recipe for frustration.
Material Choice
Half-inch drywall is standard for ceilings. Some people use 5/8 for sag resistance, especially with textured finishes that add weight. In humid areas like bathrooms, use moisture-resistant (green board) or mold-resistant.
Lighter weight drywall exists specifically for ceilings. Costs more but easier to handle. Worth considering for DIY projects.
Tools You Need
- Drywall lift – rent one, seriously
- Cordless drill with clutch setting
- Utility knife and T-square
- Tape measure
- Taping knives in multiple sizes
- Sanding pole
Installation Basics
Start in a corner. Run sheets perpendicular to the joists for strength. Stagger the seams – don’t line them up in a row across the ceiling.
Screw spacing is typically 12 inches along edges and 16 inches in the field. Drive screws just below the paper surface without breaking through.
Lift does the heavy work. Position the sheet, crank it up, fine-tune alignment, then screw it home.
Taping and Finishing
This is where patience matters. Apply tape over seams with a thin layer of joint compound. Let it dry completely – usually overnight.
Second coat wider than the first. Third coat wider still. Each coat feathers the edges further. Sand between coats for smoothness.
Ceiling work shows imperfections more than walls because of lighting angles. Take your time on finishing.
Texturing Options
Smooth ceilings look clean but show every flaw. Texture hides imperfect taping. Knockdown, orange peel, and popcorn are common options.
Popcorn is dated but still covers sins better than anything else. Modern textured finishes look better and are easier to repair.
Maintenance
Ceilings crack over time from house movement. Small cracks get filled with joint compound and touched up with paint. Recurring cracks might indicate structural issues worth investigating.
Water stains need attention. Fix the leak first, then repair the drywall. Sometimes replacement is cleaner than patching badly damaged sections.
Lessons Learned
Ceilings take longer than walls. Factor that into your timeline. Use a lift. Don’t rush the finishing – you’ll see every shortcut after the paint dries.
