Ok, guys I am hanging 4' by 12' by 1/2" sheetrock sheets in my pole barn. Unforunately at the very top I do not have a 2" by 6" to nail to. Do they make something that fits over the ends of the two panels that will kinda tie them in together? In other words, something that would slip over the 4' ends of the two panels? Between my posts is 9' 8", so I basically use two sheets of the 4 by 12 and then a 1' 8" piece. How can I support them at the top so they line up together?

thanks

 

Your lumber supplier carries what is called a aluminum "H" clip , they use to put in between 1/2'' cdx plywood roof sheeting when it is applied on two foot center truss spans. They would help, but is not the proper way to do it. It may be more costly, and more labor, but wood blocking is the only right way to do it to keep it from sagging and cracking the tape joints later . jmo

 

you need to support it in the center somehow, or it will sag and fall, especially if it gets wet. You can build a little bit of support pretty easily and cheaply, it doesn't have to be like building a floor. You will want some kind of waterproof cover over the top though as well.

 

The best way is to cut the 8' sheet back where it will break on a joist/rafter, then start your next row going back the other way,so your joints are staggered.

 

Woops. Guess I shoulda asked what you are fastening to. Also, I meant 12' sheet. How long is your building? Can you start your full sheet somewhere in the middle and piece both ends? Alot of times, if you figure your starting point right, you'll end up with less waste. My point was,it's best to break on something solid. Also I'd use drywall screws and a cordless drill,especially on the ceiling.

 

Ending on a joist or rafter (or stud if boarding wall) is best, but you can also scab on a 1/4 on flat onto the end of the sheet and connect the next one to it. Have it run long and screw it to the row previous and future. It will support it enough as long as you screw the board well to the nearest rafters to the end.

 

hmm...
Sounds like you dont have any edge nailing on top?..


On walls over 8' tall, Its a good idea to hang a full sheet up tight against the ceiling and set a full sheet on the ground. A " Belly Band" (riped sheet) is hung in the middle. Its ok if there is no edge nailing, you can just screw to the studs. (I'm asuming you have studs 16" or 24" on center).

If your hanging the sheetrock from pole to pole then you could use some wood backing every 16" or so. I like to use 1x4 scap boards around as backing for patches by holding the board half on the seam and apply some screws. You could cut some sticks about 2' long and slide behind the sheetrock verticaly every 16" or so to create a backing for a rip on top.

 

Use plywood on top and let it overlap. The bigger the better because it will add stifffness. Just lay it up there and put a lot of screws in it. The adjoining sheet will screw up flush.