Georgia-Pacific ToughRock Gypsum Board - Manual (Page 4)

Installation
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4
Ceilings
For ceilings, always use nails or screws (mechanical
attachment) rather than the adhesive/nail-on method.
Nails should be spaced at 79 (178 mm) and screws
should be spaced at 129 (203 mm) intervals around
the edges (about
3 ⁄
8 9 [9.5 mm] from the edge), and
intermediate studs. Make sure you hit the center of
the ceiling joists. For joists that are 169 (406 mm) on
center (o.c.), use
1 ⁄
2 9 (12.7 mm) gypsum board. For 249
(610 mm) o.c. joists, use 5 ⁄
8 9 (15.9 mm) ToughRock ®
Fireguard X ™ gypsum board
or 1 ⁄
2 9 (12.7 mm) ToughRock ®
Span 24 ® ceiling board.
All nails should be “dimpled”.
That is, drive the fastener firm
enough to indent the board’s
face paper, without tearing
the paper. It’s best to install
ceiling boards before wall
boards. Because gypsum board
is relatively heavy, and
because you’ll be positioning it overhead, it’s a good
idea to have a couple of friends help you.
It also helps to have a pair of T-braces to help hold
the board in place while it’s being nailed. A good
T-brace can be made by nailing a 28 (610 mm) piece
of 1 x 4 (25.4 mm x 102 mm)
onto the end of a 2 x 4
(51 mm x 102 mm) about
an inch longer than the floor
to ceiling height. Install boards
across (perpendicular to)
ceiling joists.
Walls
On walls, you can get a
better looking job by using
the adhesive/nail-on method.
Use a caulking gun to put a
3 ⁄
8 9 (9.5 mm) bead of gypsum board adhesive on the wall
studs before installing the board. Then nail the board
around the edges (about
3 ⁄
8 9 [9.5 mm] from the edge),
and along each end. Space nails at 89 (203 mm)
intervals, and dimple all nails. Test the board to see if
it’s tight. If it’s loose, put a couple of nails in the center.
Many professionals prefer gypsum board screws to
nails for their extremely strong holding power. For
screw application, use only coated gypsum board
screws (wood screws will tear the board), and a
variable-speed power drill with a screwdriver bit.
Install boards horizontally, running across the wall
studs. Start with the top board and work down. Push
the board firmly against the ceiling and nail, keeping
the first nail at least 79 (178 mm) from the interior
ceiling angle.
If your ceiling is higher than 8819 (2,464 mm) or
the wall is 48 (1,220 mm) wide or less, boards may
be installed vertically.
Masonry
If you’re installing
gypsum board on a
masonry wall, first
cut 19 x 29 (25.4 mm
x 51 mm) or 29 x 29
(51 mm x 52 mm)
furring strips to
reach from the
floor to the ceiling.
(29 x 29 [51 mm x 52 mm] strips are good if you plan
to back your wallboard with insulation.) Cut enough
strips to go around the room when nailed vertically on
169 (406 mm) centers. Nail the strips on the walls, 169
(406 mm) o.c., using masonry nails. (Check with your
home supply dealer for the proper nails for your kind
of masonry wall.) When the furring strips are up, rigid
foamboard insulation can be cut and placed between
strips. Then treat the furring as you would ordinary
wall studs, using the wallboard application methods
described in the “Walls” section on the previous page.
Corner Bead
Metal, vinyl or paper corner beads provide strong,
durable protection for outside angle corners, uncased
openings, beams and soffits. The exposed portion of
the bead resists impact and forms a surface to finish.