Should You Glue Drywall? Learn the Pros and Cons of Drywall Adhesive

Traditionally, drywallers nail or screw drywall panels to wall studs. But more and more contractors and DIYers are bucking tradition and using drywall adhesive. So, should you glue drywall? Here, we look at the pros and cons of using drywall glue to hang Sheetrock® so you can make the right decision for your home and your installation project.

What Is Drywall Adhesive?

When you’re deciding how to hang drywall, you may consider drywall adhesive. Also called drywall glue, drywall adhesive is a specially designed construction adhesive meant to attach drywall to framing materials like studs and joists. It bonds drywall tightly to your home’s support structure, which means you’ll need to use fewer screws or nails, and it can simplify jobs by making installation easier. Drywall adhesives also come in specialty formulations with added benefits like moisture resistance and noise reduction between rooms.

Drywall adhesive comes with pros and cons. When in doubt, a local drywall installer can guide you on whether it’s right for your project.

Pros of Gluing Drywall

Gluing drywall has many advantages, which is why it is such a popular method. Here are the top reasons to consider using drywall adhesives for your next Sheetrock job.

1. Faster Installation

Drywall glue can help speed up the process of a quality installation. With traditional fastener-only installation, you need to hold the drywall in place while you locate and install fasteners; with drywall adhesive, you will use fewer fasteners, so the job will go faster.

2. Requires Fewer Fasteners

You may still want to use drywall nails or screws even if you choose adhesive, but you’ll only require a few. This can save time, money, and hassle. It also reduces potential weak points, since adhesive will uniformly secure drywall sheets to underlying framing or joists.

3. Less Cracking and Popping

As housing materials and drywall naturally expand and contract with moisture and temperature changes, fasteners become loose and pop, or stick out. Pops, or small, round flaws in the drywall are the heads of drywall nails or screws pushing through the drywall and wall covering.

Drywall can also crack as it moves and shifts over time. Using drywall adhesive instead of fasteners alone allows the Sheetrock to move slightly, minimizing pops and cracks.

4. Noise Reduction

Drywall adhesive creates a tight seal between Sheetrock and wall framing, reducing sound transmission between rooms. If you have kids, a home office, or live in a multifamily building, gluing drywall can keep life quieter. Use this method in tandem with soundproofing materials to make it even more effective.

Cons of Gluing Drywall

It’s fast, easy, and has long-term benefits, but using drywall adhesives does have some drawbacks. 

1. Can Be Messy

Even if you haven’t used glue since elementary school, you probably remember how messy it can get. Drywall glue is no exception. You’ll need to apply the adhesive just right, or it will ooze out and make a mess on walls and floors. Moving or shifting crooked panels will also be messier and harder because the glue starts to adhere right away.

2. Adds to Material Costs

Drywall adhesives add to the overall cost of jobs. Nails and screws cost less, so if you use adhesive, factor it into your budget. While drywall glue isn’t expensive, you will need to use a lot of it to get a good bond, so the price can add up, especially with large rooms or a lot of square footage.

3. Makes Removal More Difficult

Drywall adhesive works well, but it also makes removal a pain. If you need to reposition or replace glued drywall, it will be challenging and time-consuming. Since the adhesive bonds strongly to drywall, it’s difficult to impossible to remove glued Sheetrock without damaging it, which can complicate renovations and repairs.

4. Not for Every Job

While drywall glue can be helpful on many jobs, it’s not a good fit for every project or situation. You’ll need to understand the product and your project to know if it’s the right solution. For example, drywall glue may not be best for ceiling installations or drywall you expect to replace or repair.

Alternatives to Drywall Adhesives

1. Drywall Nails and Drywall Screws

Drywall contractors have long used drywall screws and nails to secure drywall to framing, and there’s a reason fasteners are popular. You’ll need to determine what kind and how many screws per sheet of drywall, but they’re affordable, easy to find, easy to install. They also come in a variety of lengths and sizes, and you can adjust or remove them if necessary. 

2. Metal Clips and Furring Strips

In rooms where it’s hard or impossible to attach drywall directly to wall studs or there’s a reason to leave a gap (such as leveling warped walls or making space for insulation), you might choose metal clips and furring strips instead of fasteners or adhesive. You’ll still get a solid framework for drywall, and you’ll be in control of the spacing and alignment. 

3. Adhesive and Fasteners

Using a combination of adhesive and fasteners can give you the best of both worlds. When you do it right, you’ll find the adhesive bonds the drywall tightly to the studs and keeps air and sound from traveling between rooms while nails or screws give additional support and make it easier to adjust the panels during installation.