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Can You Put Drywall Over Drywall? (How To)

Drywall is cost-effective, easy to install, and versatile. However, it’s prone to water or impact damage, and removing an old one is messy, expensive, and time-consuming. So, what do you do if your drywall is ugly and stained? Can you install drywall over it?

You can put drywall over drywall to conceal stains, soundproof it, and improve its insulation. Remove the window and door trims, and glue or nail the new drywall over the existing one. Reinstall the window trims, door trims, baseboards, and door jambs to complete the process.

Drywall for house renovation

If your drywall is stained or cracked and you don’t want to spend time and money removing it, you can put drywall over it to conceal these flaws. Doing this makes the wall more soundproof and increases its insulation properties.

Due to the extra thickness from installing a new drywall over the existing one, your electrical fixtures will be shorter. Therefore, you can buy extensions from your nearest home improvement store and install them.

Remove the door jambs and window sills before installation because they will be affected by the new thickness. You can also buy extenders from your local hardware store. Remove the baseboards and the crown moldings carefully if you want to reuse them since they are delicate. Cut them to size and reinstall them.

Should You Put Drywall Over Drywall?

Drywall for house renovation

Putting drywall over drywall can give your home a facelift, especially if the existing wall is damaged or stained. However, you will likely face various challenges in the process. Read the section below to identify the problems you may encounter when putting drywall over drywall and learn how to avoid these problems.

When putting drywall over drywall, you will likely face gaps between sheets, a hanging drywall edge, deep screws, misaligned holes for electrical boxes, tight joints, and failed drywall joints. Install drywall over drywall correctly to avoid these problems.

You may experience a hanging drywall edge if the sheet does not lie over a solid surface (like a stud). As a result, the drywall edge may crack or get damaged after some time. You can prevent this problem by cutting the sheets vertically. If the drywall sheet is too short, nail a second stud beside it to provide a solid surface.

Gaps may occur between drywall sheets if you don’t fix them close together, resulting in warping. If you must leave a gap of more than half an inch between two drywall sheets, fill it with tape or drywall compound. Drywall sheets will break or crack if you screw too deep. Employ the correct installation method to avoid this problem.

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The drywall may break if the joints are too tight due to limited space for contraction and expansion. To avoid this problem, leave 1/8 inch of space between the sheets.

What Tools Do You Need To Put Drywall Over Drywall?

Tools for drywall renovation

Putting drywall over drywall is a simple DIY project that does not require special skills or experience. However, having the right tools ensures a successful project. The following section discusses the essential tools and their functions to complete this project.

To put drywall over drywall, you should have a stud finder, a screw gun, a tape measure, a carpenter’s pencil, a utility knife, a rotary tool, and a keyhole saw. You can purchase these tools from your nearest home improvement store or order online.

You will need a stud finder to locate the stud on the old drywall layer and a carpenter’s pencil to mark their locations. Additionally, you should have a screw gun to drive screws into the two layers of drywall.

Calculate the area of the wall in question to determine the number of drywall sheets you need to complete the process. You should have a tape measure to determine the length and width of the area.

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A rotary tool will be helpful to cut holes in the locations of the electric fixtures, but you can use a keyhole saw if you don’t have one. You will need a utility knife to spread and press the joint compound.

If you have done other DIY projects before, there are higher chances that you have some or most of these tools. Therefore, you should check your toolbox first before making any purchases. You can hire the expensive tools from your nearest home improvement store and purchase the cheaper ones if their prices fit your budget.

What Preparations Do You Need To Put Drywall Over Drywall?

Drywall for house renovation

Installing drywall over drywall is a cost-effective way of remodeling your house. However, preparing ensures a successful project. The section below outlines the preparations you need to put drywall over drywall.

To put drywall over drywall, choose the material, inspect the existing drywall and remove old nails and screws. Straighten the uneven areas to form a flat surface and clear any items in the surroundings. Calculate the number of drywall sheets you require and measure and cut them into sizes ready for installation.

When installing drywall over drywall, choose your preferred material and thickness. It would be best to use a 3/8 inch of thickness to avoid the resulting wall being too thick. Check the status of the old drywall and remove any barriers, old nails, and screws to create a flat surface for installation.

Measure the installation area in question and calculate the number of drywall sheets you need to complete the project. Measure and cut the drywall sheets into shape in readiness for installation.

How To Put Drywall Over Drywall

Drywall for house renovation

Installing drywall over drywall is a delicate process, and you will likely encounter many challenges before completing the project. You should contact a professional if unsure about doing it correctly. However, you can save time and money by learning how to do it correctly. The following section outlines the step-by-step process of putting drywall over drywall.

To put drywall over drywall, cut sheets for the ceiling, and trim spaces for electrical fixtures. Mark the stud locations on adjacent ceiling panels, place sheets over them and drive five screws. Repeat until you cover the whole area. Trim along the doors and windows, apply drywall compound over the seams, and sand to finish.

You can put drywall over drywall in the following steps.

Step 1: Measure drywall sheets for the ceiling from the corner and ensure it lands on a strapping piece or joist. Apply glue along each strapping or joist over which you place the drywall sheet.

Step 2: Install drywall sheets over the ceiling starting from the corner. Use a stud locator to locate the studs and mark the location on the adjacent ceiling panels. Put five screws across the middle of the drywall piece in a single line. Repeat until you cover the entire ceiling, and use a rotary tool to cut a space for light or electric fixtures.

Step 3: Using a stud finder, locate and mark the position of each stud. Place a piece of drywall over the existing one to determine if it fits the center of the stud. If it doesn’t, cut it to center the end piece into a stud. Apply glue over each joint where you will place the drywall.

Step 4: Place the drywall over the existing one and drive five screws for each stud using a screw gun. Repeat this process until you cover the entire wall.

Step 5: Trim off drywall over the windows and doors.

Step 6: Mix the first coat of drywall compound or mud in a bucket and apply it over the seam. Apply drywall tape over the seam and wipe the excess compound using a utility knife. Repeat the procedure for the second and third coats while allowing enough time to dry before each application.

Step 7: After the final coat has dried, use a drywall sander to sand while being careful not to overdo it to avoid exposing the paper. Apply a skim coat and continue sanding to achieve a nice and smooth finish.

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on January 12, 2023.

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