How to cut drywall at home

Although cutting drywall at home may seem difficult, anyone can do it if they take the proper approach. It’s crucial to understand how to cut drywall correctly whether you’re doing minor repairs or remodeling a space. You’ll save money and time with this skill, and it will also boost your confidence to take on more do-it-yourself projects in the future.

We will walk you through the process of cutting drywall step-by-step in this article. You just need a few simple tools that you most likely already have at home. No fancy tools are required. These easy steps will help you make consistent, clean cuts that look professional and will make your project go more smoothly.

Let’s get started and discover how simple it can be to cut drywall in your home like a pro.

What tools may be needed?

Will you be working with drywall all the time? Then, it is preferable to visit a building supply store and ask experts to help you choose a high-quality instrument. Check out the following list of instruments and gadgets that can satisfy the requirements of a home craftsman if we’re discussing sporadic work at home:

• Measuring tool, laser or bubble level, simple pencil. Distance measurements are made by a ruler or roulette, sometimes you can use the level. A pencil is needed to apply the marking by which you will cut.
• Building or reinforced stationery knife. These tools are similar to each other, but construction is stronger. Reinforced stationery knife is known by a different name – Bokskatter. It is suitable when you need to cut a small number of sheets. A significant amount of work requires the use of a construction knife. In any case, the cut is obtained with the Zazubins that will need to be eliminated.
• 2 Rubanka: Rittle, to remove chamfers. They are used at the final stage of work to align the edges and eliminate defects. The remaining barely visible irregularities will be subsequently filled with putty, so that they will not be visible.
• Jigsaw. Its advantage is the ability to make straight and curved cuts. With an electric jigsaw, you do not have to think about how to cut drywall correctly: just follow the drawn lines.
• Hacksaw for metal. You can use not the tool itself, but its blade, so that the handrail does not interfere. You will have to act with force, but the result is worth it: the cut is neat and without nicks. The edges of the cardboard can be cut with a regular hacksaw after installing the part in place. Use high-quality saws: the cuts will have a minimum of nicks. It is optimal to buy special blades for metal.
• Mill, electric drill. Purpose – cutting out rounded elements, circles, arcs.

Suggestions. An electric drill equipped with a cylindrical attachment (crown) can be used to cut a circle. Simply place a mark in the designated center; no marking is necessary.

With the right tools and precise measurements, cutting drywall at home is an easy project. You can achieve clean, precise cuts that make installation simpler and more effective by following a few simple steps. Understanding how to cut drywall correctly will make any project run more smoothly and produce better results, whether you’re working on a small repair or a larger renovation.

Drywall structure

Gain an understanding of cutting principles by studying the construction of drywall. The sheet’s inner layer is made of gypsum with additional fillers. Cardboard makes up the two outer layers, giving the material strength.

Because gypsum is brittle, even the smallest mechanical impact will cause the sheets to shatter and crumble in the absence of cardboard.

There are three varieties of gypsum board produced:

In moist areas, the waterproof variety is used to create decorative structures and as wall and ceiling cladding. For buildings that are intended to be situated close to a stove, fireplace, or other heat sources, fire-resistant drywall is required. Regular—in other circumstances.

How to cut drywall in a straight line

Using a construction knife to make an even cut is preferable. Lay the sheet on the surface or arrange it in a stack such that the bottom sheets act as a foundation. Measure and make markings.

Marks made with a pen or marker won’t be covered by putty, so use a regular pencil instead. Mark both sides of the object. Next, join the lines together with a ruler or a cord.

Interesting fact. A drywall hacksaw can be used to make precise cuts of any shape with practice. You can use it to cut out pieces of almost any shape, including squares, circles, Arabic letters, and Chinese characters.

Make sure the knife’s blade is shorter than the sheet’s thickness by adjusting its length. After putting the ruler to the drywall, make multiple passes with the knife to ensure a uniform cut. In the same way on the other side.

The sheet will break and only be held together by paper if you knock along the cut line multiple times. Finally, cut the cardboard now.

Cutting straight-sided openings

Are you wondering how to cut drywall squarely, rectanglely, or triangularly? An hacksaw is used to make these cuts. On both sides of the paper, draw the necessary figure. Then, cut following the lines.

Drilling a hole in the opening’s corner is crucial. The hole should allow the saw blade to pass through. Using a plane or file, align the opening’s margins.

A piece of advice: even if you align the saw blade perpendicular to the plasterboard sheet’s plane, the cut will still be flawless.

Cutting curved lines

A jigsaw makes it easy to cut arcs, ovals, circles, semicircles, and other curvilinear shapes. Draw the necessary shape on a sheet, set the component between two chairs to allow room underneath the cut, and start working.

If a circle needs to be cut, drill a hole in the center and insert the tool blade there. The benefit of using a jigsaw is that the cuts are made without the need for extra processing because the drywall and cutting blade are arranged perpendicularly. The jigsaw has a unique sole for this purpose.

Suggestions. Take care of the surface you’ll be laying the sheets on before you cut plasterboard at home. This floor, if it is one, needs to be clean and dry.

L-shaped cut

It is not uncommon to need to cut a sheet into the shape of an L or something similar. It is convenient to use two tools for this, like a construction knife and a hacksaw. For drywall, it is preferable to use a hacksaw for the shorter sections and a knife for the longer ones.

We looked at DIY drywall cutting techniques. Now let’s discuss metal elements.

Methods for cutting plasterboard profiles

There are four ways to cut the profile. Now let’s talk about using various tools.

Hacksaw for metal

This option is still available if there are no other appropriate tools at home and no way to purchase them. It is the most inefficient and labor-intensive. Cutting through it will require ten to fifteen minutes.

Bulgarian

Cutting goes without a hitch, but the task needs to be completed carefully, considering the risk of sparks. They might start a fire if they land on combustible surfaces, which would cause damage to the other items. Make sure to shield anything that can catch fire or deteriorate before cutting the drywall profile in the space (wallpaper, flooring, etc. d.).

Metal scissors

Using scissors to cut any profile—guides, vertical, or ceiling—is convenient. Benefits include safety, smooth cuts, and no noise. Mark the profile in advance from the top or from three sides.

Jigsaw

A metal saw yields a flawless, flawless cut every time. Cons: Cutting makes noise and leaves metal shavings and other debris behind.

It doesn’t have to be difficult to cut drywall at home. With the correct equipment and a little perseverance, you can cut your project precisely and cleanly, giving it a polished appearance. Whether you’re making small tweaks or shaping drywall for a big wall installation, paying close attention to the instructions guarantees that your work will be productive and successful.

To prevent errors, always remember to measure twice and cut once. For optimal results, use a drywall saw or a utility knife, depending on the type of cut. Don’t rush things; taking your time will prevent mistakes and needless rework.

The key to successful drywall cutting is ultimately technique and preparation. You’ll be well on your way to finishing your home improvement project with confidence and satisfaction if you adhere to these recommendations.

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