Welcome you all and if you are searching for how to hang drywall on metal studs, you are on the right path. In this article, you will learn properly to hang drywall on metal studs.
Metal studs are popular in industrial and commercial buildings for many years. But they became popular in residential buildings in recent years. Cold-formed and lightweight metal studs and wall framing are around 30% cheaper than wood construction.
That’s one big reason for its growing popularity day by day. And for this reason, many people these days ask, “How to hang drywall on metal studs.” If you are also looking for this answer, you have arrived at the right place. We will tell you the easiest way to hang drywall on metal studs.
Materials and Tools You Might Need to Hang Drywall on Metal Stud
Materials
Drywall sheets
Metal studs
Drywall screws
Drywall tape
Joint compound
Sandpaper
Tools
Drill
Screw gun or impact driver
T-Square
Utility knife
Tape measure
Corner bead
Drywall saw
Joint Knife
Sanding block or sandpaper
Trowel
Level
Steps of How To Hang Drywall On Metal Studs
Customizing your home, especially your living space, brings joy. But are metal studs good enough to install shelves, cabinets, or heavy art pieces? Metal studs are lightweight but still can handle lots of weight. Here are the steps to hang drywall on metal studs:
Preparing the Surface
Measuring and cutting metal studs
- Measure the height and length of the wall where you will be hanging the drywall.
- Cut the metal studs to the appropriate length with a metal saw.
- Mark each metal stud where they need to be cut.
- Use a metal saw to make the cuts.
- Check the cuts to ensure they are straight and the proper length.
- Repeat the process for all metal studs needed for the project.
Installing metal studs in place
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Mark the position of the studs on the floor or ceiling, making sure they are evenly spaced and level.
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Cut the metal studs to the appropriate length, making sure to wear safety goggles and gloves.
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Secure the metal studs to the floor or ceiling using screws and brackets, making sure they are level and plumb.
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Connect the metal studs to each other using screws and metal connectors to ensure that they are firmly connected.
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Finally, check the studs with a level to make sure they are level and properly secured in place.
Securing metal studs to the wall
- Make sure the metal studs are level and plumb using a level tool.
- Attach the metal studs to the wall using metal fasteners, such as self-drilling screws or power-actuated fasteners.
- Ensure that the fasteners are tightly secured and spaced evenly along the length of the metal studs.
- Check the level and plumb again after securing the metal studs to the wall.
- Repeat the process for all metal studs being installed in the wall.
Checking for level and square
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Determine the starting point for installing metal studs: Before hanging drywall on metal studs, it’s important to determine the starting point. This will help ensure that the drywall sheets are installed straight and level.
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Mark the starting point on the floor: Use a pencil or marker to mark the starting point of the metal studs on the floor. This will help you keep track of where the first metal stud should be installed.
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Check the level: Use a spirit level to make sure the starting point is level. This will help ensure that the metal studs are installed straight and that the drywall sheets are level.
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Square the starting point: To ensure that the metal studs are square, measure diagonally from one corner of the starting point to the other. If the measurements are the same, then the starting point is square. If not, adjust the starting point until the measurements are the same.
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Repeat the process for the remaining walls: Once the starting point is level and square, repeat the process for the remaining walls. This will help ensure that all of the metal studs are level and square, which is essential for a successful drywall installation.
Hanging the Drywall
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Laying out drywall sheets: Start by laying out the drywall sheets on the floor to determine the best fit for each sheet. Cut the drywall sheets to size if necessary.
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Attaching drywall to metal studs: Place the first sheet of drywall against the metal studs and secure it in place using screws. Space the screws evenly along the studs, making sure to sink them into the center of the studs to avoid hitting the flanges.
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Sealing the joints: After attaching the first sheet, add the next sheet of drywall and repeat the process. Apply a thin layer of joint compound over the seams between the sheets to seal them and eliminate any gaps.
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Sanding and finishing: Once the joint compound has dried, sand the surface of the drywall to smooth it out. Repeat this process until you have a seamless surface. Then, paint or texture the drywall to match the rest of the wall.
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Installing electrical boxes: If necessary, install electrical boxes for light fixtures or outlets. Cut holes in the drywall for the boxes and secure them in place with screws.
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Finishing up: Finally, inspect the drywall for any final touches and make sure it is level and square. Fill any small cracks or holes with spackling and sand them down for a smooth finish.
Finishing the Drywall
- Applying joint compound: Spread a thin layer of joint compound over the seams and screw heads of the drywall with a knife or trowel.
- Covering with tape: Apply drywall tape over the joint compound, smoothing out any bumps or ridges with a knife or trowel.
- Applying additional joint compound: After the tape has been applied, add another layer of joint compound to the seams, covering the tape and making the surface even.
- Sanding: Allow the joint compound to dry completely, then sand the surface with a sanding block or pole sander until it is smooth and even.
- Priming and painting: Once the drywall is sanded, prime and paint the surface to match the rest of the wall.
- Finishing corners: For inside corners, apply a metal corner bead or a special corner compound to give a clean, finished look.
- Inspecting the work: After completing all steps, inspect the work to ensure there are no cracks, holes, or other imperfections that need to be repaired.
Advantages Of Hanging Drywall On Metal Studs
Metal framing is an excellent alternative to typical wood framing. This has been the standard of commercial construction in many countries since the middle of the 20th century. But recently, metal framing has become more and more popular in single-family houses. Here are the reasons why metal framing is becoming popular day by day.
Long-Lasting
Metal framing is not as biodegradable as wood. Metal wall framing light-gauge made galvanized steel. The galvanization process lessens the risk of corrosion compared to untreated steel. Wood retains moisture and changes its shape over time, but metal does not. Therefore, metal framing does not experience “dry-rot.” Dry-rot wood can warp, crack, swell, or shrink because of moisture or insect damage.
Fire Resistant
Every house owner dreads the possibility of fire, and for that reason, metal framing gets a significant advantage over wood framing. Unlike wood framing, metal framing will not contribute energy to fire, nor will it ignite when heated. This is a very crucial reason for choosing metal framing.
Echo Friendly
Metal framing is entirely recyclable. Wood produces much more waste during construction; metal framing, on the other hand, is relatively waste-free. Wood waste can be recycled as well, but the recycling process takes more time and energy. Moreover, the recycling process is complicated. Metal framing is way lighter than wood. Two metal studs weigh less than a wood stud; therefore, the transport energy for wood framing is also higher than metal framing.
Suggested Tools
To hang drywall on metal studs, proper technique is essential, but you can make the process easier with appropriate tools. The bellow tools with certainly help you:
10-inch Metal Stud Crimper Drywall Tools
This is a perfect tool for joining metal studs to metal tracks. It is ideal for securing any width stud and runner without screws or other fasteners. Single-handed. This compact and lightweight in design and comes with a soft-touch non-slip handle. You can use this drywall tool for fastening metal studs together, and you won’t need screws or rivets.
The 10-inch size allows you extra leverage for a more straightforward operation. The drywall tool can create a rectangular crimp, stud, and bending over thicknesses of the channel and at the same time to form a sturdy bond.
This metal stud crimper will make the installation process of the drywall on metal studs effortless.
ITW Brands 25316 50PK Stud Dry Anchor
You can use the screwdriver holder to use on pegboard or solid wall surfaces. They are made of durable and high-impact plastic. It can hold nine screwdrivers, both slotted and Phillips’s head. These fit in both 1/4-Inch and 1/8-Inch pegboard. The anchors use 50% less wall space. They are available in blue color. If you are planning on hanging drywall on metal studs, these might make the process easier.
Ansoon Zinc Self-Drilling Drywall Anchors
These anchors can hang up to 50 pounds in weight. They are made of durable zinc, and you don’t need any hole preparation. They can dig precise holes into the drywall, and you can remove them quickly. The deep thread design delivers strong engagement, locks into many sizes of drywall 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch, or 5/8 inch gypsum wallboard.
For hanging your favorite items on the drywall that you installed on metal studs, you definitely need those.
Conclusion
Hanging drywall on metal studs is not so different from hanging it on wood studs. But the process needs proper screws and a bit more patience. If you know the process and have appropriate materials, you don’t need professional help. We hope the article helped you to understand the process, and now you are confident enough to hang drywall on metal studs. Best of luck with your project, and we will see you in another article.
You may like this article – How To Drill Into Drywall | 5 Easy Steps.
