Quick Reference Guide
March 2016
Version 2016.0
Chapter 14 – Wall Sheetrock
Preparation
1.
Planning
2.
3.
4.
General Installation
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Installation
19.
Shower Area
20.
21.
Verify the following:
a. Wall blocking is complete (add as needed)
b. Poly vapor barrier is complete and any inside corners are fully tucked and NOT stretched across corner
c. The location of all electrical boxes, plumbing pipes and HVAC ducts and damper accesses are marked
on the floor
d. All wall stud centers are marked on the floor with red crayon
e. Doorbell chime and thermostat wires have not been covered by insulation
f. Bathroom vanity light wire, if not run into a box, is visible on between insulation and poly
Set aside, in bathroom, the moisture resistant sheet (green or light blue) for use above tub/shower areas
Develop an installation plan (cutting/carrying teams, installation teams, room plan-where to start, size of
last piece in row, staggers, etc.,)
Determine length of 1st sheet in each row and ensure ending piece will have at least 3 rows of screws and
that end joint seams are staggered by at least 2 studs on adjacent rows
Start on top row of an interior wall in a corner where it abuts an exterior wall or in an exterior wall corner.
All sheets must be secured to at least three studs (i.e. have 3 rows of screws).
Each sheet must have 7 screws on each end and 5 “in the field” and 2 screws in bottom plate between studs
abutting ends should be “factory” edges if possible and centered on a stud
Measure “tight” and subtract by ¼” for EACH wall abutting end
“L” cut around all window and door openings about 6”. Fill gap with scrap piece.
Stagger sheets on each successive row at least two and preferably three studs.
For narrow strips (posts, window openings, wall ends, sliding closet openings, etc.,) screw at edges in pairs
12-16” apart
Cover ALL exposed wall foamboard (except sill box area foamboard)
For outside corners install to corner edge of framing (up to ¼” short) do NOT overlap sheetrock
Cutting sheets:
a. write length on “drop“ pieces and stack against wall in central location
b. check “drop” stack before cutting a full sheet
Cut out the following before lifting the sheet into place:
a. HVAC duct and plumbing pipes before lifting sheet into place
Cut out the following after sheet is installed (do NOT install screws within 2-3 feet of area to be cut out:
a. Electrical openings with roto-zip spiral saw.
RotoZip guidelines:
a. Verify bit extends about ¾” past base plate (depth).
b. Locate box center (start 4” from this) or truss where box is attached and move until bit contacts the
outside of the box (feel and sound difference), then in counterclockwise direction (DO NOT CUT INSIDE
THE BOX as this could damage wiring)
Start installation on top row of interior wall at intersection of exterior wall (or at an exterior wall corner)
finishing top row before starting bottom row on each wall
a. Measure to determine starting piece length for each row so as not to end up with too short a piece at
the end and that joint is centered on a stud (measure “tight” and subtract ¼” for each wall abutting end
b. Cut piece, lift and secure with enough screws (at least 10) to hold in place but NOT within 24” of area to
be roto zipped (use lifters for bottom row on main floor and use ½” sheetrock spacers in basement to
keep off of concrete floor)
c. Mark stud centers lines for screws using T-square, roto zip as needed and finish installing screws (7 on
the end and 5 “in the field”)
d. Before cutting bottom row sheets below windows, install 3”-wide filler piece in window sill between
sill pan and interior edge of framing. Secure with three 1¼” screws. MAKE SURE bottom row piece is
cut to be flush with TOP of this sill filler piece
e. Cut & install pieces around inside of window frame. For bottom piece install ½”x1” foam board in sill
pan area then secure bottom finish piece over fillers w/two 2½” screws (NOT THRU PAN - stay 2 1/2”
from window frame
f. Cut cold air return areas before installing sheet
g. Be sure thermostat and door chime wires are pulled thru hole in sheetrock
h. Bathroom vanity light wire can be covered (if not in an electrical box)
Quality check entire sheet (refer to Quality Points on back side) & Repeat with next piece.
Install light blue or green moisture-resistant sheetrock on walls above tub/shower
a. Butt sheet up to the tub/shower flange (NOT over)
Quick Reference Guide
March 2016
Version 2016.0
Chapter 14 – Wall Sheetrock

All wall sheetrock pieces are installed

Sheetrock rows are appropriately staggered and no pieces is shorter than 3 rows of screws (except closet side
walls)
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
Sheetrock overlaps upper edges of doors and windows by at least 6" (upside down “L”)

All interior penetrations (electrical boxes, cold air returns, furnace thermostat and door bell chime wire, plumbing,
etc.,.) have been cut out (verify via house plan and marks on the floor)

Sheet rock on outside corners does not extend beyond the edge of framing corner (up to ¼” short of corner is ok)

Sheetrock under windows is installed flush with the top of the filler sheetrock

All sheets have been quality checked and verified “OK” for the following:
o
Appropriate # of screws:
 7 on the ends
 5 in the field
 2 screws in bottom plate between studs
 All screw heads are countersunk “slightly” below drywall surface
 Additional screw installed near screws that have been put in too far (broken thru the paper)
 Pairs of screws 12-16” apart for all narrow pieces (anything less than 12” wide)
 Re-Verify all openings as stated above have been cut out
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Full leftover 8’ sheets from basement are brought upstairs for return to supplier.

Usable scraps (< full sized sheet) are under stairs, set on by 2X scrap
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
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Verify all foamboard—except in sill box—is covered with sheetrock (Check basement for exposed edges)
Inspect window frame pieces for straight, parallel surfaces (may need to adjust with shims)