What are the Different Types of Drywall Tools?

Drywall construction is popular for interior walls and ceilings because the materials are relatively cheap and easy to install, as long as the proper drywall tools are used. An individual or team who plans on hanging drywall panels will need many standard construction tools, including pencils, straightedges, measuring tapes, utility knives, and sandpaper. Most jobs can be completed with common tools such as keyhole saws, hammers, and electric screwdrivers, though having specialized tools like drywall hammers and taping knives. With dedication and the proper drywall tools at hand, large projects can be completed with ease and efficiency.

Drywall sheets usually need to be trimmed to size before they can be hung. An installer should take careful measurements and calculate the shape and dimensions of each panel, then draw cutting lines on the sheets with a pencil and straightedge. T-squares are useful for drawing long lines and maintaining appropriate angles when cutting pieces. Using a utility knife, an individual can follow the pencil line to cut partway though a sheet, and then bend the panel at the cut until it breaks away. Imperfect cuts can be straightened up using a metal file or a utility knife.

Nails or screws can be used to secure drywall panels to wall and ceiling frames. Some people use standard hammers or electric screwdrivers, though specialized drywall tools are recommended to ensure that nails or screws are inserted just far enough to not mar a panel. A drywall hammer has a convex head that prevents puncturing a sheet when securing a nail into place. Screw guns designed for drywall can be adjusted to prevent screws from going all the way through a panel. Holes for lighting fixtures or electrical boxes can be cut using either a manual or power keyhole saw.

Plastering installed panels requires additional drywall tools. Putty knives and sturdy taping knives are commonly used to apply and smooth a plaster mixture to walls. Nail holes, seams between panels, and imperfect edges can all be sufficiently covered during the plastering process. Since corners can be tricky to navigate with standard taping knives, an installer may want to invest in a set of corner knives, drywall tools that can delicately achieve the ideal finish.

The final step in a drywall job is sanding down bumps and excess plaster, and applying a coat of texture if desired. Sanding can be done by hand or with electric tools equipped with specialized drywall sandpaper. A sanded wall that is still uneven or reveals gaps in the panels may need to undergo additional rounds of plastering and sanding until it is perfected. As a finishing touch, spray texture is commonly used on ceilings and walls to improve their aesthetics.