plasterers quick fill mud pump box filler free sample

Whether a homeowner is choosing a qualified contractor or learning how to hang drywall themselves, they’ll want to begin with an understanding of the different types of drywall available, the many factors that affect the overall cost of drywall, and the supplies needed to install it. How much does drywall cost? According to Angi and HomeAdvisor, the typical cost of drywall itself is between $12 and $20 per panel, with a national average of $15. Some additional costs are obvious, such as the ones for panels, screws, tape, mud, and joint compound, but other components, such as demolition, transportation, permits, and even the volume of sandpaper needed to get the job done well, might escape notice. In addition, there are several types of drywall available that can provide soundproofing, waterproofing, and fire resistance, along with more basic styles that support tile or shiplap walls. A variety of finishes can complement the style of the home and reduce the cost overall. To make these decisions easier, it’s a good idea for homeowners to calculate the cost of drywall panels and installation.

Depending on the application of the drywall, hiring a qualified professional drywall hanger may be the best bet. Hanging and finishing drywall are two separate costs: The average cost to hang drywall is $0.15 to $0.65 per square foot. Taping and mudding drywall after it’s hung can range from $0.40 to $0.70 per square foot, while sanding and priming costs between $0.10 and $0.50 per square foot. The cost to finish the drywall ranges from $0.50 to $1.15 per square foot. Combining these costs gives a total drywall installation cost range of $1.15 to $3 per square foot.

Drywall finishing is rated from level 0 to level 5. What follows are the finishing ratings and their typical costs.Level 0. A level 0 finish job means the drywall is screwed into the studs: No mudding or taping has been done. This service costs between $0.30 and $0.80 per square foot.

Level 1. Level 1 includes mudding and taping the seams and costs between $0.70 and $1.50 per square foot for labor. Level 1 is not a complete finish and is common for attics and basements.

Surprisingly, it can be more expensive per square foot to drywall a small room than a larger one. Covering a larger area provides more opportunities to use full sheets or scraps to fill interrupted walls, so the overall cost drops. It is least expensive when homeowners decide that hanging drywall in the entire house all at once is the best plan. But the cost isn’t only dependent on the total area mathematically: The number of cuts, fitting, and level of finish will also play into the total. Use (and therefore cost) of finishing materials will increase with a higher number of corners and specialized cuts, as corners require a special bead to be tidy. In addition, some drywall contractors may charge a minimum service fee, which could exceed the actual cost of installing drywall in a small space, so bundling several rooms into one project may help you save overall. This fee may also apply if only a small portion of existing drywall is being patched, which costs about $100 on average.

Applying texture to drywall is a simple way to add visual interest to a room. Texture can be applied to both walls and ceilings in a wide variety of styles depending on the homeowner’s preference. Some textures like Santa Fe and skip trowel have a rustic appearance that is similar to stucco and can be applied by hand. The cost for hand-applied textures is between $1.50 and $2 per square foot. Knockdown and orange peel textures are more subtle and can be applied with a spray. Spray textures are more affordable since they are quicker and easier to apply, and these cost between $0.50 and $1 per square foot.

Blue board drywall uses a different kind of paper to sandwich the gypsum. The blue paper has a smoother finish that holds finish plaster on top, allowing the installer to build a perfectly smooth, seam-free finish. It should not be used with mud, tape, and joint compound. Prices range from $12 to $15 per panel.

Whether they are dented and scratched during a move, discolored by water exposure, or dotted with holes from nails, walls are bound to undergo damage during their lifetime. Drywall repair is generally affordable, which is a significant advantage. Small dents or holes can be filled with spackle and repainted. Even major damage is easy to repair by simply replacing the affected panels. Drywall repair costs by a professional are relatively affordable, and some homeowners may even be able to do the repairs themselves.

For some handy homeowners, figuring out how to hang drywall is a task that can be done to completion: Measuring, cutting, and screwing the boards into the wall isn’t intrinsically difficult. However, figuring out how to install drywall effectively is a different challenge. Taping looks simple on television, but determining how much mud to scoop onto a trowel and achieving the exact correct wrist angle to smooth it down, leaving just enough on the wall to seal the tape but not so much that it never dries, is a skill developed through years of experience. This is also true for smoothing a coat of joint compound across a wall without leaving seams and ridges. A professional will help make the process more efficient, which will result in a more polished product.

Purchase supplies from a drywall supplier instead of a big-box store. Drywall suppliers know their products, can help you estimate better, and will often reduce the price for a bulk order. In addition, this approach means you’ll likely spend less on impulse purchases at a home improvement store.

Drywall panels should never be snugged up against each other. Like all other porous building materials, they need space to expand and contract with heat and cold and to accommodate shifts and settling of the structure. A standard ⅛-inch gap between panels will be hidden from view by tape and mud but will reduce buckling and cracking after the job is done.

Drywall walls and ceilings last between 30 and 70 years. A quality installation with offset seams and good taping sets up a long-lasting job. House settling can occasionally cause cracking. Water leaks, damage, or excessive holes from wall hangings can weaken the structure of the board itself and of taped and mudded joints. Prompt repair of this kind of damage along with any cracks will extend the life of the wall.