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The two most common types of drywall are ½-inch and ⅝-inch thick white or gray drywall. Most walls are ⅝-inch thick because the drywall is slightly more resistant to damage and it helps dampen sound considerably. It’s also much heavier, which is why most ceilings are ½-inch thick. There are special use cases where you want to use ⅝-inch thick drywall for ceilings, such as between a garage and living space, and the ceiling above a finished basement.

It’s a pretty good idea to have drywall corners, also called drywall beading. Drywall is a pretty brittle material and corners tend to be rubbed up against it often. Rather quickly, the edges will start crumbling and you’ll need to replace the entire panel, or add beads on top and repaint the wall. Drywall beads—which are inexpensive—provide long-term support for the drywall and protect your investment.

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.

Drywall is safe to cut as long as you follow proper procedures, such as wearing personal protective equipment and using the right tools to score and cut the drywall. When cutting new drywall, it can release dust with silica and other compounds that could pose health risks. Leave cutting drywall to the pros, or wear a high-quality respiratory mask, goggles, and other PPE when handling drywall.