4 answers
Blake
Student
Grafton, Ohio
5
Questions
Asked
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How do I start working in Drywall
#drywall #construction
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4 answers
William Matthesen
Artist, painter/drywall
33
Answers
Cleveland, Ohio
Updated
William’s Answer
Hi Blake,
To get started in drywall you need to find a job hanging it. You can look for some local contractors, home remodelers, fire and water restoration companies are always looking for help. There are also a lot of recommendations for contractors on NextDoor.com you can find work there also.
Hanging drywall is like putting a big puzzle together. You have 8, 10, 12, 14, up to 20 foot sheets you can special order. They come 4 feet wide so when hung vertically, they end on a stud to screw to. Studs are every16" on center. There is also the thickness which comes in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, and 3/4 in. There is also green board that is made to resist moisture and mildew for bathrooms and kitchens. There is also fire retardant board made for demising walls that separate the stores in a strip mall, these go from the floor to the roof. The all have a beveled factory edge on both sides.
Next comes the taping and mudding. Tape comes in a paper or a mesh, which has a sticky weave to it. The paper tape has to be set into a layer of joint compound that is applied first to the joint. Then two or three coats of compound goes over that. If your really good at the finish coat there is a light sanding and your ready to prime and paint.
There is 5 levels of drywall finish. Here is a link to explaining the levels. https://www.westsidedrywall.com/blog/6-levels-drywall-service
To get started in drywall you need to find a job hanging it. You can look for some local contractors, home remodelers, fire and water restoration companies are always looking for help. There are also a lot of recommendations for contractors on NextDoor.com you can find work there also.
Hanging drywall is like putting a big puzzle together. You have 8, 10, 12, 14, up to 20 foot sheets you can special order. They come 4 feet wide so when hung vertically, they end on a stud to screw to. Studs are every16" on center. There is also the thickness which comes in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, 5/8, and 3/4 in. There is also green board that is made to resist moisture and mildew for bathrooms and kitchens. There is also fire retardant board made for demising walls that separate the stores in a strip mall, these go from the floor to the roof. The all have a beveled factory edge on both sides.
Next comes the taping and mudding. Tape comes in a paper or a mesh, which has a sticky weave to it. The paper tape has to be set into a layer of joint compound that is applied first to the joint. Then two or three coats of compound goes over that. If your really good at the finish coat there is a light sanding and your ready to prime and paint.
There is 5 levels of drywall finish. Here is a link to explaining the levels. https://www.westsidedrywall.com/blog/6-levels-drywall-service
Dan Champagne
Sr. Real Estate & Construction Manager at ATT
37
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Dan’s Answer
Hi Blake
I would find a good Drywall contractor in your area and find out if they would be willing to take you on as a helper. Explain to them how you would like to learn more about the installation. Also like Kris mentioned also finish the drywall if they do both it would be a great benefit to you and your learning. I began working with a Framing contractor at 15 and after 2 summers I was confident enough to work freely on my own with the crew.
Wish you the best of luck.
Dan.
I would find a good Drywall contractor in your area and find out if they would be willing to take you on as a helper. Explain to them how you would like to learn more about the installation. Also like Kris mentioned also finish the drywall if they do both it would be a great benefit to you and your learning. I began working with a Framing contractor at 15 and after 2 summers I was confident enough to work freely on my own with the crew.
Wish you the best of luck.
Dan.
Kris Voisine
Owner
2
Answers
South Portland, Maine
Updated
Kris’s Answer
In addition to what Daniel mentioned, you may want to ask yourself if you would rather hang the drywall (install it) or finish it (mud and tape it). Or maybe you want to learn how to do both. They both require different skill sets and have their own challenges to it. Like everything else in life, practice makes perfect, so the more you have an opportunity to try it you should give it a go. Lastly, when people first get going there is sometimes a tendency to purchase inexpensive tools. My advice is to buy good tools and TAKE CARE OF THEM. Good tools absolutely make a difference. With drywall work, there are not a lot of tools required so that will make those purchases a bit easier to stomach. Good drywallers are hard to find and I applaud you for your interest in it. Good luck!
Daniel Odion, PMP®
Lean Construction│Infrastructure Development│Project Management
6
Answers
Columbus, Ohio
Updated
Daniel’s Answer
Blake,
Every technical discipline in construction requires some basic manual dexterity, good physical fitness, hand-eye coordination, and good balance skills. However, for a beginner in drywall installation, you must learn how to solve basic mathematical problems especially in geometry, and read technical drawings. To be able to pick up so fast, I would suggest you volunteer or work with any drywall companies in your location to accustom your learning to the field challenges.
Every technical discipline in construction requires some basic manual dexterity, good physical fitness, hand-eye coordination, and good balance skills. However, for a beginner in drywall installation, you must learn how to solve basic mathematical problems especially in geometry, and read technical drawings. To be able to pick up so fast, I would suggest you volunteer or work with any drywall companies in your location to accustom your learning to the field challenges.