Drywall: Pro Tips for Hanging & Finishing [Paperback]

John D. Wagner Mr. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 28, 1999

Drywall (also known as gypsum wallboard) is by far the most popular and practical material for finishing interior walls. Drywall: Pro Tips for Hanging and Finishing provides you with an extensive survey of all the tools and materials needed for hanging drywall, and covers in detail the mechanics of estimating, cutting, hanging, and finishing the panels. The book pays special attention to difficult situations such as hanging drywall panels on ceilings, curved walls, and stairwells. It also deals with patching holes, trouble-shooting, and applying special finishes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...if you're thinking about a do-it-yourself project around your home that would involve drywall, there may be no better book than a new one from Creative Homeowner Press. Appropriately titled Drywall, Pro Tips for Hanging & Finishing, it has 380 illustrations and color photos with everything from step-by-step instructions to hundreds of helpful hints."
Source: The Tri-Valley Herald
May 27, 2001
Source: Nick Harder, The Orange County Register
February 19, 2000
Source: The Post, Denver, CO
March 12, 2000
Source: Star, Kansas City, MO
March 16, 2000

"...while everyone agrees that [drywall is] the fastest and cheapest way to cover walls, professional results are hard to come by. To do the job right, you need a little help from the experts. One place to turn is Drywall: Pro Tips for Hanging and Finishing - a 143-page softcover book by John D. Wagner that's filled with practical information for the do-it-yourselfer."
Tom Klenck, Popular Mechanics
July 2001

"John D. Wagner... has devoted 144 pages to the subject in Drywall: Pro Tips for Hanging and Finishing, a well-organized softback. Wagner explains tools, types of drywall, tape, fasteners, installation, repair and finishes. The difficulty level of tasks is marked so beginners don't jump into expert-only territory."
Source: Dianne Keller Smith, The Dispatch, Columbus, OH
January 29, 2000

Book Description

Drywall is by far the most popular and practical material for finishing interior walls. This book provides an extensive survey of tools and materials, as well as the mechanics of estimating, cutting, hanging, and finishing the panels. It also deals with difficult situations such as hanging ceilings, curved walls, and stairwells; patching holes; trouble-shooting; and applying special finishes.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Creative Homeowner (September 28, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580110673
• ISBN-13: 978-1580110679
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,014,084 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John D. Wagner has been involved with the construction trade for over 20 years. His work has appeared in numerous magazines, including Journal of Light Construction, Builder, and Today's Homeowner. Wagner is the author of two other Creative Homeowner books: Drywall: Pro Tips for Hanging & Finishing and Barns, Sheds & Outbuildings. He lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, very thorough, July 28, 2000

By 

Angel Lee "Liocorno Amethyst Moonstone" (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Drywall: Pro Tips for Hanging & Finishing (Paperback)

As someone who has had a little rudimentary drywall experience I found this book to be an excellent and thorough treatment of what is possible and how to do it. The illustrations are great, including photographs, structural drawings and drawings of workers in action. These drawings are especially well done and show you how to hold and use tools most efficiently in step-by-step procedures.

As you would expect, the book begins with tools and materials. The basic hand tools are described along with sophisticated professional equipment for drywall handling. Ways to efficiently and safely handle large sheets are shown. Drywall comes in a wide variety of types and sizes that are not "off the shelf" items at your lumber yard, but can be ordered. Here you will find out when and why you should use these specialty items that can be very advantageous in the right situation. Also covered are all the various fastening and corner treatment options and the advantages of each.

There is a detailed section on preparing walls and ceilings, including framing repairs or modifications that might be needed. This includes enhancements such as adding a niche and soundproofing. Preparation for drywalling over masonry and with steel framing is also covered. Then the techniques of measuring, cutting and hanging the drywall are presented. Special situations such as curved or irregular walls, stairways and arches are emphasized. This book shows you how to handle the difficult applications.

Drywall finishing, troubleshooting and repairs are also covered in detail, including a number of textured finishes that can be applied directly to the drywall. Many of these can be done using joint compound and they add an easy but sophisticated premium touch to your walls. Written with a personal touch, expert tips throughout and a "can-do" attitude, this is the book you need to get those walls up safely and securely.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for first-timer and DIY'er., September 1, 2005

By 

B. T. Denyer "Web designer" (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Drywall: Pro Tips for Hanging & Finishing (Paperback)

If you are attempting your first drywall project, haven't hung it in a long time, or want to know how to do it better, then this is the book for you.

Besides just hanging drywall, this book goes into:
Selecting the drywall
Preparing the wall (masonry, wood, steel)
Cutting holes
Repairing damaged drywall
Fixing popped nails and screws
Soundproofing

Sure, if you are a professional installer you may find the book a bit trite, but the weekend warrior should find it very useful. The first paragraph in the book: "This book is written for the do-it-yourselfer who brings beginning to intermediate building skills to drywalling projects large and small." I think that says it all.

If you have never hung drywall before this book will have you doing your first project this weekend. I highly recommend it.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good Overall Drywall Book, October 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Drywall: Pro Tips for Hanging & Finishing (Paperback)

This book gives a good overall treatment of the drywall process. It covers tools, supplies, and techniques. However, a few of the layout drawings are hard to understand, particularly those on ceilings. It could also benefit from including more detail on topics such as finishing.