Drywall is probable one of the most popular and widely used type of home decoration used in your home. Drywall has been used for many years as the wall of choice. Even with the addition of wainscoting as a wall choice, drywall is still used on the upper half of the wall.

In an effort to save money, more and more homeowners are choosing to build or do their own remodeling themselves. There is a fountain of information on the internet for almost any job you would be thinking of tackling. Drywall is something that some homeowners want to tackle while others may hang the dry wall, but hire a professional for mudding drywall and the drywall finishing.

While mudding drywall is not the most difficult job in the world, it is a messy job and you do need to know the correct way to do it. The end result will have a large part to do with how well the mudding was done.

You’ll need to used jointing compound, which comes in powder or premixed. If you are new at this, you may want to get the pre-mixed form so you know you are using the correct thickness. They also sell taping compound and topping compound and you’ll need both of them. The taping compound will be used for the first layer of taping and the topping compound, which is thinner and smoother, is used for the drywall finishing. They also sell an all-purpose joint compound, which is a combination of both. You may also need a drywall lift for ceilings and high walls.

Once the drywall is hung, you’ll start applying the “mud” using a taping knife. You’ll want to make sure before you begin this process that all the nails are properly sunk in the wall and not sticking out. You can double check this by running your taping knife over the seams. You’ll fill each nail hole with compound and go over it with your taping knife to make sure it’s smooth. You need to allow at least twenty-four hours for drying between each application.

To begin the taping, you apply the compound and the tape on the joints and smooth over it with more compound. After you are finished smoothing the compound, you let it dry for twenty-four hours. The next day you will apply two layers of compound again using a taping knife. Each day that you do this, you will want to use a taping knife slightly longer than the day before. It is very important that you run over the compound carefully making sure it’s smooth. The smoother it is now, the less sanding you’ll have to do later.

On the third day, you will be applying the last layer of compound on the joints and nail holes. When this is thoroughly dry, you will sand off any rough edges and get ready to paint.

Author: Peter S. Mason

Being very passionate about drywall panel lifts, Peter Mason is publishing large numbers of reports in this specific field. His work on drywall lift are found on http://www.insidewoodworking.com/drywall/drywall_lift.html

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If you want to take on the task of drywalling, then you will need the right tools for the occasion. Drywall tools are essential for getting that sturdy, smooth wall you need to create. If you have never hung drywall before, your local hardware superstore no doubt has classes you can take to let you in on the secrets of the pros. But even their classes can’t save you if you don’t have the right tools for drywalling.

Drywall Tools: The Basics

To get your drywalling started, these are the pieces of drywall equipment you’ll need:

- Two kinds of trowels – a plastic one and a corner one.

- Some kind of sanding material, be it a sanding machine or sandpaper – a sanding machine is much easier for most of the walls, but you will need some sandpaper, and a sanding pole to get the top of the wall.

- a drill – a cordless drill is the easiest tool for drywalling.

- a utility knife

- a large T-square for measuring and cutting your drywall.

- a steel or plastic corner tool

- two knifes, one four inches and one ten inches. These are for tape and for those finishing they drywall

- a container for mixing your drywall solutions. If you want to avoid rust, go stainless steel.

- assorted cloths, tape, and brushes.

- taping tools

Working with Drywall Tools

Drywall is too important a job to take on without any experience whatsoever. Although you can find information on the internet about how to drywall, sitting through a class on the subject is really the best way to go for a novice.

After you’re sure you know how to get the job done, make your plans and buy the right amount of materials (plus a little extra for those little mistakes). When you get started, move from top to bottom, making sure you are leaving as little space between the boards as possible. If you make a mistake, you can fix it later by sanding, but doing it right the first time is worth the hassle.

When the drywall is up on the walls, you will need to begin the process of smoothing. This process takes three days, minimum, even if you have done an impeccable job with the drywall. You’ll need to apply at least two smoothing coats and a finishing coat. Make sure everything is sanded to perfection before you slap on that finishing coat, because there is no going back after that.

Author: Greg K. Hansward

Greg Hansward’s summaries can be found on a lot of web publications tied to information on drywall finishing tools and drywalling and mudding tools. You might come across his contributions on drywall taping tools at various other sources for drywall taping tools tips.

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Finishing drywall is a step-by-step process, like many other construction and home improvement projects. To achieve a perfect appearance with drywall, the ambitious homeowner or drywall professional starts by assembling the correct tools and material, including tray, sandpaper, scraper and joint putty. It is a good idea to have some trial putty ready just before beginning the project.

Start the drywall finishing process by sanding the walls to remove lumps and uneven spots. A drywall sander will make this task much easier and should produce more consistent results. Tip: The entire surface must be dry before sanding begins. Damp surfaces tend to shred and tear. It is very important that the wall be wiped down thoroughly after sanding, so that no elements of sand/dust remain. It is very important that the surface appears to be very clean and the color appears to be consistent.

Hole should be filled with putty, using the scraper to get a smooth surface. Extra putty can be used to fill deeper holes and imperfections, but it is very important that the process be repeated until the entire surface is smooth. A bit of extra time spent on this step should give better results.

After following these simple steps carefully, paint can be applied. But the homeowner who decides to finish the drywall should make sure that all the putty surfaces are dry and the entire wall is clean before any paint is applied. Sandpaper residue and drywall dust will keep the paint from adhering to the wall as it should. Most of those with experience in drywall finishing use two coats of paint to get proper coverage and color consistency. Tip: Take plenty of time to shield floors and other areas that are not to be painted.

It is very important that patience be part of the finishing/painting process, because it may be necessary to place furniture, curtains against the surface. The finish coat of paint should be completely dry before any furniture is rearranged, draperies are installed etc. It is at this point that some homeowners choose to do more than simply paint the walls. Some people choose to add texture with special, thicker paints or plaster-like materials that can be swirled or roughed up.

Once the drywall finishing is complete and paint or other surface material is applied to give the room color, it is time to use some creative thinking to provide the room with the right atmosphere. New draperies or curtains, carefully chosen for color and design, can add just the correct touch. Contrast and balance are very important at this stage of the process. Flowers and vases can be selected to complement the wall colors as well.

The finishing process may cost very little to complete, if the homeowner is careful to follow the steps. Tool and material cost may be less than $100 in many cases, depending on the condition of the original wall. But some planning and patience during the process can add significant value to the home. If the homeowner has a few dollars available to make home improvements, drywall finishing and painting can add value without major expense. Drywall finishing is a simple task, though it can be time consuming. But the time and money spent should be repaid many times over.

Author: Greg K. Hansward

Greg Hansward frequently publishes long articles on news about how to install drywall. You can have a look at his abstracts on types of drywall at http://www.insidewoodworking.com and many different sources for types of drywall tips.

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