How to estimate drywall quantity?

[Larry Bud]

Getting close to the drywall stage in my basement, and wondering about quantity. Since I'm only dealing with 1 wall, should I just measure every drywall surface to come up with an exact amount?

[Bob]

Get more than you need, and try to keep joints to a minimum.

[barry]

Mainly, base your figures on how many 4x8 or 4x12 (minus trimmings) sections of wall you want to cover. With as little flat-butted (no pun intended- where butted edges are full thickness) joint to tape as possible, and with as much factory-tapered to factory-tapered edges as possible butted. Taping will be the big part of the drywalling.

HTH, J

[Harry K]

In general, square feet of surface to be covered divided by 32 (if using 4x8 sheets) = number of sheets. Wouldn't hurt to add one extra sheet. Do not subtract for door/window cutouts. You should make a quick sketch of the layout as that can save you significant seamage. In a normal room (with one or more doors and some windows) you can save considerable seamage by intalling horizontal vice verticle. Butt joints are made to fall over/under doors and windows. The taping is easier that way also. May not work in a basement

Harry K.

[Rusht Limpalless]

[Joey]

Both HomeDepot and Lowes has a spin wheel calculator for this purpose where you just put in the room dimensions. It also shows how much tape, mud, and nails/screws you'll need.

J

Rusht Limpalless wrote:

[RicodJour]

Plug in wall length and height, check off no ceiling, and enter the windows and doors if any.

R

[bud smith]

Do not be tempted to try to save sheetrock by piecing over the doors and windows; the tape joints will crack. It is caused by the physics of horizontal and vertical lumber moving in different directions with temperature changes.