Get matched with top drywall pros in Henderson, KY

The average life span for drywall is between 40 and 60 years, although panels can last significantly longer in many cases if it’s well-maintained. Of course, many things can reduce the life span of your drywall, including fire, smoke damage, water, moisture, and physical damage, like dents and holes. Thankfully, you’re likely to get around 50 years of value out of professionally-installed drywall, making the $2,000 you’ll spend on the job well worth it in the long run.

While every home has its own unique needs, ceiling drywall installation typically follows a staggered or stepped pattern to enhance structural integrity and reduce the visibility of seams. Starting from one corner, sheets are placed perpendicular to the ceiling joists, with the ends of adjacent sheets meeting along the center of the joist. The next row begins with a half sheet, ensuring joints don't align vertically. This alternating pattern, combined with proper taping and mudding, creates a seamless appearance and strengthens the ceiling structure, minimizing the risk of cracks over time.

Which style of corner bead you choose—whether metal or paper-faced—depends on your preference and if you’re comfortable using metal-cutting tools and a hammer. Metal bead offers superior strength and durability but its installation is slightly more involved. We’d say for most cases, it’s better to use metal bead but if you’re not comfortable working with metal, paper-faced bead will work just fine. 

Two of the biggest mistakes with drywalling are not measuring (and therefore buying the wrong amount of drywall) and trying to install drywall yourself. A sheet of drywall can weigh around 50 pounds, so it can be difficult to install without a pro or at least some experienced friends willing to help with a DIY installation. It can also get expensive if you don’t measure at least twice before buying the drywall sheets.