Must Do's for Sheetrock

For you "weekend warriors" who are going to tackle putting up the sheetrock in the mother-in-law apartment you're finishing off; here are some helpful tips. Remember Type X gypsum board is necessary for ceilings in garages below habitable rooms, unless the requirements differ per your local building official. The sheetrock is always hung perpendicular to the ceiling framing and fastened at maximum intervals of 6" o.c. I recommend screws rather than nails which should be long enough to penetrate the wood supporting the sheetrock not less than 5/8". Screws should be countersunk in the sheetrock barely below the surface. If the screws break thru the paper surface they have no holding power.