📋 Drywall & Ceiling FAQ
Expert answers for your home renovation questions
Drywall Installation & Basics
Q: Which comes first: drywall ceiling or walls? A: You should always hang the drywall ceiling first. This allows the wall sheets to support the edges of the ceiling sheets, creating a tighter, stronger joint. It also makes hanging the top of the wall sheets easier since you can butt them right up against the finished ceiling.
Q: What size drywall should I use for the ceiling and walls? A:
For Walls: Standard 1/2-inch drywall is the most common choice for interior walls.
For Ceilings: We typically recommend 5/8-inch drywall or 1/2-inch "lightweight" ceiling board. The 5/8-inch thickness is stiffer, which prevents the ceiling from sagging between joists over time (especially if you plan to texture it).
Q: What drywall to use on the ceiling for fire safety? A: For garages or commercial jobs, you should use 5/8-inch Type X drywall. It has a fire-resistant core that slows the spread of fire, as required by building codes in these areas.
Q: How to drywall a ceiling safely? A: Drywalling a ceiling is heavy work. We recommend using a drywall lift (rentable at most rental departments) to hold the sheet in place while you screw it in. Always stagger your seams so they don't line up across the entire ceiling, and use screws rather than nails to prevent "nail pops" later.
Texture & Popcorn Ceilings
Q: How to smooth out a popcorn ceiling? A: You have three main options:
Scrape and Skim: Wet the texture, scrape it off, and then "skim coat" the entire ceiling with joint compound to make it smooth.
Cover It: Install new 1/2-inch drywall directly over the existing popcorn (best if you are worried about asbestos in older homes).
Skim Coat Only: Apply multiple heavy coats of mud directly over the texture to bury it
Best for light popcorn texture with many coats of paint over it.
Q: Can I put texture over a popcorn ceiling? A: Generally, no. You cannot easily spray a new texture over old popcorn because the moisture from the new spray will cause the old popcorn to peel and fall off in sheets. You must remove or seal/prime the old surface first. If the popcorn texture is sealed well with an oil-based primer, it would be possible to skim-coat it smooth or spray a heavy knock-down texture over it. The knockdown mix would have to be sprayed in multiple coats, with the first coat heavy, to fill the space between popcorn texture pieces.
Painting & Finishing
Q: Should I paint the ceiling after the walls? A: No, the professional order is to paint the drywall ceiling first. This allows you to cover the ceiling quickly without worrying about roller splatter getting on your finished walls. Once the ceiling is dry, you can "cut in" a crisp line at the top of the wall.
Q: What is the best drywall ceiling paint? A: Sherwin-Williams premium ceiling paint, or use white "flat" or "matte" interior latex finish paint. Glossy paints reflect light, highlighting every tiny imperfection or wave in the drywall. Flat paint absorbs light and hides flaws, making the ceiling look seamless.
Q: Can you help with both drywall and painting? A: Yes! MrWalls Drywall & Painting is a full-service company. We handle everything from the initial sheetrock hanging and finishing to the final coat of paint, ensuring a consistent, high-quality result without the hassle of hiring multiple contractors.