Description/Reviews

Drywall: Pro Tips for Hanging & Finishing

Wonderful, very thorough, July 28, 2000

Reviewer: Angel Lee from Cleveland, OH USA

As someone who has had a little rudimentary drywall experience I found this book to be an excellent and thorough treatment of what is possible and how to do it. The illustrations are great, including photographs, structural drawings and drawings of workers in action. These drawings are especially well done and show you how to hold and use tools most efficiently in step-by-step procedures.

As you would expect, the book begins with tools and materials. The basic hand tools are described along with sophisticated professional equipment for drywall handling. Ways to efficiently and safely handle large sheets are shown. Drywall comes in a wide variety of types and sizes that are not "off the shelf" items at your lumber yard, but can be ordered. Here you will find out when and why you should use these specialty items that can be very advantageous in the right situation. Also covered are all the various fastening and corner treatment options and the advantages of each.

There is a detailed section on preparing walls and ceilings, including framing repairs or modifications that might be needed. This includes enhancements such as adding a niche and soundproofing. Preparation for drywalling over masonry and with steel framing is also covered. Then the techniques of measuring, cutting and hanging the drywall are presented. Special situations such as curved or irregular walls, stairways and arches are emphasized. This book shows you how to handle the difficult applications.

Drywall finishing, troubleshooting and repairs are also covered in detail, including a number of textured finishes that can be applied directly to the drywall. Many of these can be done using joint compound and they add an easy but sophisticated premium touch to your walls. Written with a personal touch, expert tips throughout and a "can-do" attitude, this is the book you need to get those walls up safely and securely.