How to Guide

PLANNING THE JOB
6 7
Tools Needed
• Fasteners
• Wallboard nails (per ASTM
C514) for 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2"
thick panels: 1-3/8" nails
• 1-1/4" Type W bugle head
screws; screw gun or
electric drill with special bit
• Panel adhesive (per ASTM
C557 for wood framing).
Adhesives for attaching
gypsum panel products to
steel framing members shall
be as specifi ed by the adhesive
manufacturer.
• Caulk gun
• 4' straightedge or wallboard
T-square
• Utility knife and extra blades
• Metal tape measure
• Marking pencil
• Portable work light,
extension cord
• Drop cloths
• Keyhole saw or jab saw
• Tin snips
• 5", 8" and 10" wide joint-
fi nishing knives
• Wallboard hammer
• Sanding block or piece
of 2" x 4"
• Mud pan
• Mud mixer
• 150- or 220-grit sandpaper or
sanding sponge
• Dust mask
• Safety gloves for cut protection
• Safety glasses
• Sponge (small-celled
polyurethane)
• Stepladder
• Panel lifter
• Sca olding
• Pole or power sander with dust
collection
Measuring and
Estimating Quantities
To fi nd out how many panels
you will need, measure the
length and height then multiply
to determine square footage
for each wall. Subtract the square
footage of all large openings
such as doorways and picture
windows; don’t bother with small
openings such as electrical boxes
and pipe fi ttings. Do the same
for the ceiling. Total the fi gures
and use the table on page seven
to calculate the number of
panels needed.
Read all instructions
before installing
gypsum panels so you
know what you have to
do and how much time
you will need.
Gypsum Panel Coverage Calculator
No. of Panels
Size of Panels (sq. ft.)
4'x8' 4'x10' 4'x12'
10 320 400 480
11 352 440 528
12 384 480 576
13 416 520 624
14 448 560 672
15 480 600 720
16 512 640 768
17 544 680 816
18 576 720 864
19 608 760 912
20 640 800 960
21 672 840 1008
22 704 880 1056
23 736 920 1104
24 768 960 1152
25 800 1000 1200
26 832 1040 1248
27 864 1080 1296
28 896 1120 1440
29 928 1160 1392
30 960 1200 1440
31 992 1240 1488
Use the following table to determine the maximum frame spacing
for direct application of gypsum panels to wood framing.
Frame Spacing for Single-Layer Application
Board
Thickness
Location Application Method
(1)
Max. Frame
Spacing o.c. in.
3/8" ceiling
(2, 3)
perpendicular
(3)
16
— sidewall parallel or perpendicular 16
1/2" ceiling
(4)
parallel
(3)
16
— — perpendicular 24
(5)
— sidewall parallel or perpendicular 24
5/8" ceiling
(4)
parallel
(3)
16
— — perpendicular 24
— sidewall parallel or perpendicular 24
For USG Sheetrock® Brand UltraLight Panels
Board
Thickness
Location Application Method
(1)
Max. Frame
Spacing o.c. in.
1/2" ceilings parallel or perpendicular
24
(1) Long edge position relative to framing.
(2) Not recommended below unheated spaces.
(3) Not recommended if water-based texturing material is to be applied.
(4) USG Sheetrock® Brand Mold Tough® Panels are not recommended for
ceiling where framing is greater than 12" o.c. for single-layer resilient
application where tile is to be applied.
(5) Max. spacing 16" o.c. if water-based texturing material to be applied.
PANEL 1 PG.6