[timohubbard]

I am working on my basement and have (finally) gotten to drywall! Sounds great, but I can't get a 4x8' sheet down the tiny stairwell that is in the house. I'm working with 16" center-to-center studs. Should I just cut off 16" of each one?

Should I use 1/2" or 3/4" drywall?

Where do people rent drywall lifts from? Would Home Depot rent them?

 

[Scuba_Dave]

1/2" drywall is fine
Some HD's rent lifts, I went to a local lumber co
I guess if cutting off 16" is your only option yer stuck with that
I'm not sure if that is better or cutting the sheets in 1/2 & putting up a trim piece at 4' ?

Are you mudding or hiring someone?

 

[timohubbard]

I am mudding

Thanks for the response. I will be doing the mudding with my father- and brother-in-law.

 

[gma2rjc]

Is there a large window in the basement you can remove to bring the drywall through?

If you can't get the drywall to fit down the stairwell, will you be able to fit a drywall lift to fit?

There is a thread on this forum with directions on how to build your own drywall lift. You'd be able to build it in your basement and take it back apart to get it out. Handy dandy!

 

[timohubbard]

Thanks

Thanks!

There is no window that can be removed... I am going to goto HD to see if I can see a drywall lift and determine if it will fit...

Then maybe I build!

 

[gma2rjc]

Here's the link to that site:

http://www.diychatroom.com/f49/can-you-build-your-own-drywall-lift-done-30539/

 

[Gary in WA]

Lifts from the box stores are portable, like 5 pieces. Put it in your trunk. Pop the fixed glass out of the egress window, and remove the sliding side, as mentioned earlier. Hold sheets on diagonal to clear frame.

Here's some good info, like 5/8" on ceiling if 24" joists or sag-resistant board, nail or screw patterns, priming before and after texture, etc. Page 3, Table 1- footnote B:
http://www.gypsum.org/pdf/GA-216-07.pdf Be safe, G

 

[Paragon]

USE 1/2" ON YOUR WALLS unless otherwise directed by local codes!!!!

The reason you ALWAYS use 1/2" on walls is because the framing of a common 2x4" wal is 3.5" and the 2 layers of drywall on each side gives you 1" giving you 4.5 inches. Stock door jambs a re 4 9/16" and are designed to be flush with the drywall. I just finished a trim job http://paragonrenovations.net/basementtrim.aspx where the "contractor" and I use that term lightly! used a combonation of 5/8 and 1/2 and it threw all of the jambs out of whack and led to cutting back sheetrock just to be able to install the casings.

Now if you are considering taping the job yourself cut away but if you are considering hiring a taper then start saving your pennies because if the taper has to tape 100 butt joints the price will be EXORBINENT I promise you that! You may be able to find a cheapie contractor that will do it for next to nothing but remember you get what you pay for.

In conclusion use 1/2 on the walls and get the rock down in as large of sheets as you possibly can!

James