How to install a ceiling joists

Mark, with your free hand, an outline of the scrap where it meets the beam to create a pair of parallel layout lines. Lay a ceiling joist on top of the wall plate, which similarly should be marked with layout lines in accordance with your design plans. Have an assistant hold the joist upright on the wall's top plate and within the layout lines. Alternatively, clamp the joist to the appropriate rafter if you are installing a ceiling on the top floor of a house with a sloped roof.

Hold the other end of the ceiling joist against the beam, within the layout line. Toenail the top of the joist to the beam to temporarily hold it in place. Push a metal joist hanger against the joist where it touches the face of the beam.

Continue until you have completed hanging all the ceiling joists. In seismic areas, for greater stability, nail a metal strap from the top of the joist over the beam and onto a second joist if one is present meeting the beam on its other side. Last Updated: June 6, This article was co-authored by Agustin Renoj. With over 18 years of construction experience, Agustin specializes in carpentry, painting, and exterior, interior, kitchen, and bathroom renovations. Renoj Handyman is a family-owned business that consists of craftsmen trained in all areas of construction.

This article has been viewed , times. Installing ceiling drywall is a very simple process, but can be slightly challenging when working alone. By making a few minor adjustments, almost anyone can accomplish this task on their own. If you make the right preparations and install your drywall in the correct procedure, you should have no problem installing drywall on your ceiling. To install ceiling drywall, start by applying adhesive to the joists where the first sheet of drywall will go.

Next, raise the drywall up with the help of a friend or drywall lift. Once the first piece is in place, repeat the process along the first wall, making sure the tapered edges face down. After the drywall sheets are up, nail or screw them into the joists to affix them permanently. When you start the second row, make sure to stagger the seams to enforce the stability of the drywall.

Finally, cut holes in the drywall for vents and fixtures. To learn how to build a T-brace to raise the drywall panels to the ceiling when working alone, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article.

We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article parts. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Part 1. Inspect the ceiling for obstructions or problems that need to be fixed. Find the ceiling joists and mark their location on the wall.

Mark the placement of light fixtures and vents on the drywall. Note where the different light fixtures, vents, and electrical boxes are located on the wall and mark their locations on the drywall you plan to place on top of them. Smooth the rough edges of the drywall pieces.

Smoothing the rough edges on the cut edges of your drywall pieces will ensure tight joints between the drywall. A T-brace will provide the leverage and support needed to raise the drywall panels to the ceiling when you're working alone. Use a 2 feet 61 cm piece of 1x4 and nail it to a 2x4 that is long enough to be 1 foot 30 cm higher than the length from the floor to the ceiling.

Drywall lifts can be cheaply rented from department stores and most stores that sell construction equipment. Part 2. Apply adhesive to the joists where the first sheet of drywall will go. Start in the corning and raise the first sheet of drywall to the ceiling so you can get an idea of the placement across the joists. Wait until you know where you're placing the sheet before you apply any adhesive to the joists.

Raise the first piece of drywall to the ceiling. Using your T-brace, or a friend to assist you, raise the first sheet of drywall to the ceiling and slide it snugly into the corner. Make sure that the tapered edges of the sheet are facing the floor.

Repeat this process along the first wall. Attach the next piece of drywall using this same process and continue along the wall, always ensuring that the tapered edges abut one another and are facing down. Affix the drywall sheets permanently to the ceiling joists. Use either nails or screws to attach the drywall to the joists. Drive the fasteners in. Along the interior joist, install the fasteners at about 12 inches 30 cm increments. Start the second row with a half sheet of drywall to stagger the seams.

Having staggered seams will enforce the stability of the drywall. Tip the panel off of the floor or table at a slight angle, then push it down to break it in half. Use the same procedure to attach this half-piece of drywall as you used on the first row of drywall.

Repeat this process until the entire ceiling is covered. Continue to place drywall in rows along the ceiling, affixing them in place with nails or screws. Go back and cut holes in the drywall for vents and fixtures. Now that the drywall is set, go back and cut holes in the places you marked for vents, lights, and electrical boxes.

Use a spiral cutout saw to make the cutting process quick and easy. Agustin Renoj Home Improvement Specialist. Agustin Renoj. The best thing to do is to hire someone who does that for a living—it will get finished much faster and will usually look much nicer. If you do decide to do it yourself, you're going to need at least two people to help you, because sheetrock is very heavy and you can easily get hurt. Not Helpful 9 Helpful 4. How do I repair a ceiling where a portion is falling in and needs to be replaced?

Mark off a squared or rectangular-shaped line around the damaged area. Determine the orientation and location of the ceiling joists.

Extend your squared off markings so that two opposite sides of the outline fall on center, directly over the ceiling joists. Cut out the box shape, and install new drywall into the area. Fasten along the edges falling over the joists. Also, make sure all of the damaged drywall is removed and that the problem that caused it is also repaired.

Finally, finish as you would a regular drywall installation. Not Helpful 3 Helpful 9. Install friction fit batts, sized to meet the code requirements in your area; cover the area completely with 6 mil poly, taping all joints; then fasten up the drywall. Not Helpful 10 Helpful Half-inch is standard, but your area's building code may require a different size, so check your area's building code.

Not Helpful 3 Helpful You don't.