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There is no way to cut drywall without making dust, but you can reduce the amount of dust and especially the dangerous airborne particles by using manual cutting tools. Using a utility knife to score and snap your drywall will minimize dust production, and a jab saw for cutting cutouts for boxes and fixtures will generate almost no airborne dust. Even if you use these methods, you should still wear a respirator and safety goggles to avoid damage to your lungs and eyes.

It is possible to apply plaster on the interior or exterior of your home, but we don’t recommend it. Plaster is easy to apply in theory, but in reality, it can be a challenging material to work with, and it’s difficult to get the finished product to look clean, even, and smooth. Many DIYers end up calling in a professional afterward to touch up the area or even redo it entirely because of mistakes they made in the process. Hiring a plaster pro will cost more, but it’s usually the best option to achieve high-quality results.

While not always necessary, you can glue a drywall ceiling in addition to using screws or nails. Drywall is typically secured to ceiling joists with fasteners, which is often sufficient. However, adding construction adhesive can offer benefits like preventing sagging, bridging gaps, and reducing air leaks for better energy efficiency. It may also be used for specific acoustic or insulation needs. On the other hand, many professionals advise against it because properly placed screws make the drywall structural, glue doesn't add strength, and it makes future repairs or replacements significantly more difficult. Ultimately, it's best to follow local building codes and project-specific requirements to decide if adhesive is right for your ceiling.

Whether you apply the drywall mesh before or after drywall mud depends on the type of patch it is. For self-adhesive patches, you’ll put the patch down first and then coat it with mud. Mesh patches that are not self-adhesive will require you to put mud down first and then press the mesh into it, followed by additional coats of mud.