4 Simple Tips for Ensuring Successful Installation of Plasterboard
Plasterboard is not difficult for homeowners to install on their own, but it does take a bit of skill and experience to do it properly. This is because the material is somewhat delicate and may easily break if mishandled. Since you also typically need to work around obstacles like outlets and switches when installing the sheets, you need to know how to work with the plasterboard properly. Note a few simple tips for ensuring successful installation of plasterboard.
1. Score and bend
When cutting plasterboard for application around obstacles, you want to avoid the temptation of cutting right through the material with a box cutter or other sharp instrument. This usually just tears at the sides of the material and paper outer layer, and creates a rough edge. Instead, it's better to measure and then slightly score the plasterboard with a sharp edge, doing so on both sides. Then, bend and fold the plasterboard around the scored areas, and it should break cleanly.
2. Use stud adhesive
Using stud adhesive on the wall studs where you want to apply plasterboard will allow it to adhere more firmly and securely than if you only nailed the board to the walls. Use a trowel or paint scraper and just dab on a few small globs of stud adhesive on the studs, a few feet apart from each other, before applying the plasterboard sheet for a better hold. Only add the adhesive for one plasterboard sheet at a time so that it doesn't dry before you can actually nail the sheet in place.
3. Use half sheets for the bottom
When you install plasterboard on your walls, you usually need one full sheet and then one half sheet to cover the height of the wall. Use the half sheet at the bottom rather than the top. This will ensure that any markings or lines created by the use of two sheets is below your normal eye level and will be less noticeable.
4. Check its level as you go
Most contractors will use just a few screws at the top of a board to hold it in place, and then check if the board is level before they add more screws. If the board has a gap between wall edges or the flooring, it's easier to adjust the plasterboard when you only need to remove a few screws at the top than entire lines of screws that are keeping it in place.
Contact a plasterboard supplier for more information.