Are you considering installing drywall and wondering, “Should drywall touch the floor?” As the preferred source for handyman services in Sacramento, CA, Honest Lee Handyman Services knows how to properly install drywall so you never have to worry. We can help you understand the role it plays in your home and how to care for it.
Why Drywall Shouldn’t Touch the Floor
If you’re considering DIY drywall work, you’ll have to remember a multitude of details, such as the necessary drywall gap of 1/2 to 5/8 inches. While drywall offers easy installation, you should always prioritize investing in quality installation from drywall experts to avoid the following issues that can arise if you don’t maintain the proper gap.
It Absorbs Moisture
While in some ways you can consider the material’s moisture absorption a benefit, it can also cause problems, especially when it touches the floor. While you want it to draw water away from your inner wall in an emergency, if it absorbs water from the floor, it’ll destroy your drywall early.
Some Floors Aren’t Level
Should drywall touch the floor? No, because many floors, especially in the basement, have a slight floor height difference from one end of the floor to another. An uneven floor usually has a difference of less than half an inch, which is also the minimum distance drywall should sit above the floor.
If you have even a single panel that doesn’t level properly, you’ll have spaces between your panels and even your ceiling. You want your drywall to tightly hug the ceiling and other panels so you don’t lose complete protection or quality insulation.
Materials Expand and Contract
Most materials you put in your home have some degree of expansion and contraction as the temperatures change throughout the year. Leaving a gap between your drywall and floor helps your panels adapt to changing temperatures without damage.
When your floor and wall put pressure on each other, the wall always loses, and you’ll see significant cracks in your wall. Cracked drywall doesn’t provide any benefits, and it’s also an eyesore.
Other Drywall Hanging Mistakes
In addition to not leaving enough space between the drywall and the floor, if you hang your own drywall, you risk making any of the following mistakes.
Improper Edge Support
When it comes to hanging drywall at the corners of rooms, many amateur drywallers don’t use enough backing or support. A 2×4 behind the panel helps it sit farther off the wall and more flush with the corner so everything lines up properly.
Not Marking Framing
Framing refers to the wood that supports drywall, and covering it with drywall makes it hard to locate. When this happens, you won’t know where to place the screws to fasten the panels. By marking the location of the frames with a pencil when you lay the drywall, you can more quickly and accurately place the fastening nails.
Not Checking the Fit
You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Measure twice, cut once,” and the principle applies to hanging drywall too. If you don’t check how the drywall fits before you permanently fasten it, you risk covering up outlets and other features, which will force you to make additional cuts or may even damage the drywall. You’ll still trim excess drywall, and that’s okay, but confirm you have all the right holes where they belong.
Tapering Edges on Corners
While tapered edges on drywall allow for nearly invisible joints along the walls, you shouldn’t use them when fitting the panels to corners. This makes putting the corner bead arduous and it will sit too low, making the joint look awkward even after you finish it. Use cut edges on drywall panels you install on corners.
Abundant Joints
Having too many joints slows down the process and requires more tape and screws. By using the largest drywall sheets possible (12 feet instead of 8 feet), you minimize joints and ensure a more flawless process.
The Benefits of Drywall
Why is drywall one of the most common construction materials for modern homes and businesses? Compared to plastic, brick, and other materials, it provides several advantages.
Better Durability
Compared to plaster, drywall has better structural integrity and greater durability. While basic plaster only lasts around 10 years, drywall has a life expectancy of 30 to 70 years, depending on its quality.
Easy Installation
Drywall is one of the easiest construction materials to use, and an experienced contractor can quickly complete a room in a matter of hours. It also provides considerable opportunity for customization, as you can easily cut holes in it, quickly replace it, or alter it according to your needs. You can’t do that with brick or plaster.
Additional Protection
Many varieties of modern drywall use a substance called calcium sulfate, which acts as a natural fire retardant. Quality drywall can slow the spread of fire, which makes it a smart investment for your home.
It also aids in insulation improvement by resisting drafts and the transfer of heat, which can help keep your energy bills lower in the long term. Finally, with proper care and treatment, it can prevent mold from growing on the beams that support your home.
Exceptional Value
Even though it grants significant benefits to your home, drywall remains one of the most affordable building materials you can find. Its value lies in its easy manufacturing process and installation. While it may not provide the stylistic benefits of brick or plaster, you can’t underestimate the advantages it gives your home.
Contact Honest Lee Handyman Services Today
Should drywall touch the floor? No, and many homeowners make other mistakes when they attempt to remodel their homes on their own. As one of the most requested handyman services in Sacramento and the surrounding area, Honest Lee Handyman Services can perfectly install your drywall for a competitive price. Don’t risk the complications that arise when you do it yourself.
To obtain a free estimate, fill out our online form or call (916) 542-1006.