Drywall, also known as gypsum board or wallboard, is an interior finish material used to create smooth wall and ceiling surfaces. Installing drywall is a common DIY project for many homeowners, but it requires some essential tools to get the job done right. Having the proper drywall tools on hand will make the installation process easier, faster, and achieve a professional-looking finish. Here is an overview of the must-have tools for any drywall project.
Drywall Panels
The drywall panels themselves are the building blocks for your project. Drywall sheets typically come in 4×8, 4×10, or 4×12 sizes with thicknesses of 1/2″ or 5/8″ being standard. Thicker 5/8″ panels provide extra fire resistance and sound dampening. The panels have a gypsum core sandwiched between thick paper facings. Drywall panels are relatively affordable and available at home improvement stores. Be sure to get the right number of sheets for the area you plan to cover.
T-Square
A T-square is an essential layout tool used to mark cutting lines on drywall panels. The T-shape allows you to neatly line up each measurement. T-squares typically come in common drywall sizes with measure markings along the edges. Look for one with a sturdy aluminum head and solid wood or aluminum handle. Use the T-square when marking cut lines from measurements or templates. This ensures straight, accurate cuts.
Utility Knife
You’ll need a sharp utility knife for cutting through drywall face paper and gypsum. The knife allows you to follow marked cutting lines smoothly and cleanly. Opt for a knife with break-off style blades so you can snap off dull edges as needed. Bring extra blades to ensure your cuts stay clean throughout the project. Carefully score cut lines before snapping the drywall on the line.
Drywall Saw
For cross-cutting full 4×8 sheets down to size, a drywall saw is the perfect tool for the job. These saws have coarse teeth and pointed tips designed to cut through drywall quickly and smoothly in both directions. Look for a 7-10″ saw size. A handle with rubber grips offers more control when cutting. Let the saw’s teeth do the work rather than applying too much pressure.
Aviation Snips
Aviation snips, also called tin snips, are ideal for cutting drywall for detailed cuts and irregular shapes. They resemble scissors but the blades are offset to allow cutting closer to surfaces. Choose right cutting, left cutting, and straight cutting snips to handle any drywall cutting scenario. Bring along elbow shears for tight spaces. Cut slowly and make relief cuts for tighter angles.
Drywall Rasp
For smoothing cut edges and removing paper burrs, a drywall rasp is a handy finishing tool to have. It resembles a metal file but with more abrasive grit. Work the rasp along cut drywall edges using light pressure to smooth away rough spots and protruding paper. This prepares the edges for clean seams and joints compound application. Look for a 6-8″ size with medium grit.
Taping Knives
Taping knives are essential for embedding joint tape and applying joint compound to seams and corners. You’ll need a variety of sizes – 6″, 8″, 10″, and 12″. The wider knives allow coverage of larger areas when feathering out compound. Stainless steel blades hold up well to heavy use. Lightweight, high impact plastic handles reduce fatigue. Invest in at least two of each size for continuous use as some get cleaned.
Joint Compound
Joint compound, aka mud, is the plaster material used to finish drywall seams, corners, and fastener heads. Premixed all-purpose joint compound is the most convenient option. Just open the container and start applying with a taping knife right out of the box. It air dries without the need for mixing. Lightweight compounds contain polymers for easy sanding. Aim for a mid-weight compound that sands smoothly without excessive dust.
Joint Tape
Joint tape embedded into wet joint compound creates a continuous bond along seams between drywall sheets. Paper fiber tape is the best choice for do-it-yourself installations. It’s flexible, strong, and easy to embed smoothly into compound. Use paper tape for all seams and inside corners. Fiberglass mesh tape works well for reinforcing outside drywall corners. Buy a large roll for efficiency.
Drywall Hammer
A drywall hammer is designed specifically for installing wallboard. It includes a smooth, flat face instead of a claw, used to set drywall nails and drive screws. The other end is a hatchet-style blade to score drywall for snapping. Look for one with a fiberglass handle to reduce arm fatigue from continuous hammering and leverage when scoring cuts. Always wear safety goggles!
Drywall Nails/Screws
The right fasteners are essential for securely mounting drywall to wood and metal studs. For wood studs, ring shank drywall nails provide extra grip power. Look for length options from 1-1/4″ up to 2-1/2″. For metal studs, coarse thread drywall screws are necessary to bite into the denser material. Stock up on 1-1/4″, 1-5/8″, and 2″ lengths to handle one or two layers.
Screw Gun/Drill
A power drill/driver makes fastening drywall much faster and easier than hammering nails manually. Cordless drills offer portability to move around a room and ceiling without dragging cords. A variable speed, high torque model provides driving power when needed and slower speeds for screw starting. Invest in drywall screw tips to prevent slippage and cam out. Bring extra charged batteries!
Drywall Lift
A drywall lift is extremely useful when installing sheets on high walls and ceilings solo. It allows you to securely lift panels up to 16′ on the adjustable arm, move into position, fasten, and gently lower again. Models with pneumatic or crank lifts are available. For DIY use, a portable lift kit that attaches to standard lumber works well and costs less than full lifts. Rental is also an option.
Adhesive and Drywall Clips
Construction adhesive is an alternative to nails and screws for mounting panels. It creates a powerful bonded grip when applied between drywall and framing. Drywall clips also help hold sheets in place temporarily. Use adhesive and clips together for extra strength and move around fewer fasteners. Look for adhesive that stays flexible when dry. Use clips on the floor edge if not fastening.
Dust Mask
A dust mask is vital PPE when cutting, sanding or sweeping up drywall dust which contains silica. Look for a mask rated N95 or higher to filter out fine particles. Change disposable masks as they become clogged with dust. Reusable cloth masks should have a pocket for filter material. Remember that proper ventilation is also crucial for dust control.
Sanding Pole and Sandpaper
A sanding pole helps smooth and flatten dried joint compound over large areas in preparation for priming and painting. They come in different lengths from 18-42″. Use sandpaper sleeves that fit over the pole end. Medium grit 100-150 works well for joint compound. Change sheets as they fill up with residue. The pole lets you sand high walls and ceilings without a ladder.
Drywall Pan Lift
A drywall pan lift is a huge help for lifting panels up to ceilings and second story walls for installation. One person can safely lift the loaded lift using pulleys and crank system. It allows you to position sheets precisely overhead before fastening. Look for sturdy steel frame construction and smooth rolling casters. Consider renting a lift for large drywall projects. The rental cost is low considering the time savings.
Finishing Box
For professional finishing results, a drywall finishing box lets you evenly feather out edges of joint compound. The flex edge smoothing blade spreads compound smoothly without leaving ridges behind. It takes practice to master the proper angle and use of the finishing box but it’s worth learning. Always keep the blade clean between uses. It works wonders for getting corner joints perfectly smooth.
Corner Roller
Outside drywall corners are prone to cracking. A corner roller tool embeds paper corner bead tension-free to prevent cracks from developing. Simply roll on pre-glued corner bead tape. The wheel creases the paper into the corner for a strong bond. It applies even pressure to prevent bubbles or wrinkles. Corner rollers work on outside 90° corners as well as specialty bullnose corners.
Corner Bead
Corner bead strengthens and protects outside drywall corners from damage. Paper-faced metal corner bead is the top choice for durability. Look for styles with rounded or tapered edges that create attractive decorative profiles in addition to impact resistance. Use flexible vinyl and thin metal Beadex corner products for bullnose rounded corners. Embed corner beads into wet joint compound.
Drywall Square
A drywall square is handy for checking corners during framing and drywall installation to ensure they are at proper 90° angles. Adjust any framing before mounting panels if corners are off. Use the square tool when cutting panel edges to confirm you have an accurate 90° cut. This avoids gaps or overlaps at corner joints. Drywall squares come in metal or high-impact plastic. Most include useful measurement markings.
Utility Light
Having ample lighting is important when installing and finishing drywall. Portable LED utility lights provide shadow-free illumination wherever you need it. Multi-light stand units swing into any position and cast broad light ideal for seeing surface irregularities during sanding and finishing. Use battery powered stand lights or adjustable tripod drop lights to light up ceilings and high walls.
Dust Mask
A dust mask is vital PPE when cutting, sanding or sweeping up drywall dust which contains silica. Look for a mask rated N95 or higher to filter out fine particles. Change disposable masks as they become clogged with dust. Reusable cloth masks should have a pocket for filter material. Remember that proper ventilation is also crucial for dust control.
Sanding Block/Paddle
For hand sanding smaller drywall repairs, a sanding block or paddle ensures a flat surface without uneven gouges. The cushioned foam or rubber back evenly distributes sanding pressure. Use medium 100-150 grit paper for smoothing dry joint compound prior to priming and painting. Change sandpaper sheets once they become clogged for optimal abrasion. Various sizes are available.
Drywall Vacuum
Cleaning up drywall dust is much easier with a dust extraction vacuum tool. It connects directly to your power sander to contain the dust at the source. Shop vac attachments are available for both hand sanding blocks and power pole sanders. Look for a model with high airflow to thoroughly collect the silica dust as you sand. Empty the vacuum collection bag or container regularly.
Eye Protection
Safety glasses or goggles should be worn when scoring and snapping drywall to protect eyes from particles and sharp edges. Also wear eye protection when using power tools and sanding drywall overhead where dust can shower down on you. Side shield glasses and tight fitting goggles both work well. Make sure they fit comfortably for long term wearability on the job.
Ear Protection
Power tools like screw guns and sanders run at high decibel levels that can damage hearing over time. Wearing earplugs or earmuffs helps prevent noise-induced hearing loss. Look for plugs rated at least 25dB of sound reduction and heavily padded muffs for 30+ dB rating. Keep multiple ear protectors on hand so everyone on site is equipped when loud tools are used.
Knee Pads
Installing drywall involves a lot of time spent up on your knees measuring, cutting, fastening and finishing panels. Knee pads can cushion and protect your knees from pain and injury. Look for thick gel padded and ergonomic knee pads that stay put when moving around. Well constructed knee pads with side stabilization rods offer the most comfort and support during prolonged use.
Dust Mask
A dust mask is vital PPE when cutting, sanding or sweeping up drywall dust which contains silica. Look for a mask rated N95 or higher to filter out fine particles. Change disposable masks as they become clogged with dust. Reusable cloth masks should have a pocket for filter material. Remember that proper ventilation is also crucial for dust control.
Automatic Taper
For major drywall jobs, an automatic taper tool can save huge amounts of time applying joint compound to seams and corners. It dispenses a steady flow of compound as you run the nozzle along each seam and fills corner bead automatically. This achieves a smooth consistent layer without hand application labor. Automatic tapers range from basic to fully featured professional models.
Power Sander
Power sanding poles make smoothing and flattening dried joint compound much faster compared to hand sanding. Pole sanders have sanding heads that attach to the end of extension poles up to 10′ long. Electric and air powered models are available. Always wear a dust mask and eye protection when using. Start with medium grit sheets then switch to fine grit for finishing.
Texture Sprayer
Applying plaster ceiling textures with a hopper gun sprayer is much faster and achieves a more consistent orange peel or knockdown pattern compared to texturing by hand. Texture material is loaded into the hopper and dispensed through the spray nozzle. Practice patterns on scrap material to get the technique down before spraying ceilings. Cover floors and masks are a must.
Paint Sprayer
Applying primer and paint with an airless paint sprayer achieves a smooth, seamless finish on drywall faster than rolling. Electric and gas powered sprayers are equipped with tips to handle the thick consistency of primers and paints. Move the nozzle at a steady pace to prevent drips. Backroll for an ultra-smooth surface. Clean sprayers thoroughly after every use.
Drywall Lifts
For efficiently installing multiple sheets solo on high walls and ceilings, having two drywall lifts can expedite the process. Use one lift to hoist panels and fasten while the other lift is loading the next sheet in sequence. Just rotate between the lifts moving panel to panel. This results in continuous installation with fewer trips up and down ladders. Renting extra lifts is an option.
Jobsite Radio
Installing drywall involves a lot of repetitive steps. Having upbeat music playing in the work area can help motivate and energize your work pace. Look for a durable radio with a strong battery to provide distraction-free all day power. Water/dust proof models ensure the tunes keep playing in messy jobsite conditions. Position speakers around room corners for full coverage.
Smoke Detector Magnet
Newly installed drywall requires sanding that generates clouds of irritating dust. Protect nearby smoke detectors from false alarms and contamination using smoke detector magnets during this dust heavy process. The magnet disables the alarm temporarily until work is done. Remember to remove the magnet immediately so detection resumes. Write “remove magnet” as a reminder.
Shop Vacuum
For cleaning up drywall dust and debris during installation and sanding, a sturdy shop vacuum is invaluable. Look for a minimum 5 gallon capacity with fine dust filter and disposable dust collection bags. Powerful suction picks up the immense amount of dust generated when sanding. Hard casters allow easy movement around the work area. Empty collection tank frequently when vacuuming drywall dust.
Drywall Cart
Transporting stacks of heavy, awkward drywall sheets around the jobsite is much easier with a specialized drywall cart. These feature curved supports to hold long panels vertically and prevent bending/cracking. Wide stable bases prevent tipping. Look for large pneumatic wheels to smoothly traverse uneven terrain and doorways. A convertible handle allows steering upright panels through tight spaces.
Radio Headphones
When installing drywall as a team, radio headphones allow you to listen to music or podcasts while maintaining communication with crew members. One headset connects to the jobsite radio while others pair to it remotely up to 100′ away. This avoids distracting speakers but lets you enjoy entertainment. Look for cushioned, over-ear models for comfort during long days.
Laser Level
For perfectly straight, level mounting of drywall panels on walls and ceilings, a laser level projects super bright level and plumb reference lines in all directions. This allows hands-free level positioning when measuring and cutting panels. Cross line models project perpendicular lines across an entire room. Look for wide 180° fan angles and 40’+ reach.
Drywall Panel Jack
Maneuvering heavy sheets up against ceiling joists for fastening is tiring and risks shoulder injury. A drywall panel jack allows one person to safely lift, hold, and reposition full ceiling sheets into place. Just crank the scissor lift arm to desired height and fasten. Slowly lower panel after fastening. Go for a model with a wide leg base for stability with sheets weighing 100 lbs.
Respirators
Sanding drywall produces large amounts of fine dust containing silica. While N95 masks provide basic filtration, strapped respirators create a tight seal for greater protection. They use dual filter cartridges to trap extremely small particles from inhaled air. Look for soft mask edges that adapt to facial contours for a comfortable seal. Keep spare filters on hand.
Drywall Lift Dolly
For moving drywall lifts around the jobsite, a lift dolly provides effortless transportation between rooms and upper floor installation areas. The dolly handle steers the balanced base with lift stacked on top. Smooth rolling overdoor stair climbers are available. Strap lift to dolly for added security when rolling over bumps. Consider renting a dolly to use with rented lifts.
Dust Containment
When sanding drywall, containing the massive amounts of fine dust before it spreads across an entire home is crucial. Use zippered plastic sheets to seal off work areas. Portable air scrubbers with HEPA filters continually trap and filter airborne dust particles. Exhaust dust outdoors using fans in windows. Cover all non-work surfaces including floors with plastic sheeting as well.
Panel Carrier
For solo installation work, a panel carrier allows you to maneuver sheets around by yourself securely. Just load the drywall onto the padded base, strap in place, stand the panel vertically on the wheels and steer it around the room and into place on the lift. The straps prevent bending and breaking during transit. larger models accommodate 12′ long boards.
Drywall Access Panels
Inevitably you’ll need to access electrical boxes, plumbing, ductwork located behind finished drywall. Drywall access panels allow removing and replacing sections without damage for maintenance access. Normal