[Abuc]

My garage ceiling has a double layer of 5/8 sheetrock. House is 17 yo and I have been here 16 months. The mud/tape job on the entire house is bad but especially bad on the high garage ceiling. A lot of the tape has cracked (torn?) open. Main problem is rock is not adequately fastened. Installers used 2” nails and rock is flapping in the breeze. I had some extra 2” GRK multipurpose screws which I used to tighten things up. Need to get some more fasteners. Is it ok to continue with the GRK multipurpose instead of drywall screws? The GRK drive so much better. GRK does not list drywall as an approved substrate but they do not seem to tear up the paper as they countersink. Thanks.

 

[stick\shift]

Personally, I would want something a little longer if you're going through 1 1/4" of drywall.

 

[mark sr]

How does the deck screw head size compare to a drywall screw?
Remember you can't use the screw to draw the drywall tight, you need to push it up first.
I also agree you want more than 3/4" of an inch to go into the ceiling joist to hold up that much drywall.

 

[Abuc]

How does the deck screw head size compare to a drywall screw?
Remember you can't use the screw to draw the drywall tight, you need to push it up first.
I also agree you want more than 3/4" of an inch to go into the ceiling joist to hold up that much drywall.

Same size head but GRK construction screws have ridges under the hear to countersink. These ridges tend to tear up the paper more than regular drywall screws. They are much stronger and less brittle than drywall screws which only have to be strong enough to handle static loads. Construction screws handle shock loads too. Actually the screws did draw the drywall tight. I will get longer screws in either case but main concern was countersinking ridges on GRK screws. GRK are more expensive and superior in every way except the countersinking. My understanding is that the paper is an important part of the drywall structure and you do not want to tear it up.

 

[mark sr]

the paper is an important part of the drywall structure and you do not want to tear it up.

That is correct, once the paper is torn the holding power is greatly reduced.
More times than not if you try to draw drywall tight with a screw you'll break the paper.

 

[ront02769]

Driving better should not be an issue with drywall screws. If you are having difficulty, buy a new bit. And I would personally use sharp point bugle head drywall screws, 2 1/4” length. Ron

 

[Abuc]

Driving better should not be an issue with drywall screws. If you are having difficulty, buy a new bit. And I would personally use sharp point bugle head drywall screws, 2 1/4” length. Ron

I went with 2-1/2 drywall screws...they did not carry 2-1/4. I wasn’t having problems driving the screws, it is just GRK drive so much easier and I am 71 working off a tall stepladder. Thanks for everyone’s comments.