Cutting Drywall
Whether you’re cutting a long, straight piece of drywall, or removing a piece to make room for an electrical outlet, make sure your measurements are correct and your hand is firm.
Instructions
Cutting holes in drywall
- Measure the exposed area where your drywall begins to close and the far end of the light you’re accommodating. Measure from the top down and side to side.
- Transfer your measurements to the sheet of drywall and cut with a jigsaw (jig).
- Cut a circular hole with a drill in the center of the target area of the drywall. Measure the radius (from the center to the circumference, or outer edge, of the circle) of what’s to be installed and transfer this to a compass.
- Draw a circle on the drywall, using the compass, and cut with a saw.
Cutting straight edges
- Measure the exposed wall to determine what size area you need to cut. Make sure the measurements align with the center of a ceiling joist or wall stud.
- Adjust the drywall on an easel, finished side up.
- Mark measurements on the finished side of the drywall sheet.
- Draw a chalk line between the upper and lower marks.
- Cut or puncture with a knife along the chalk line (1/16 inch cut -0.16 cm- depth is sufficient). Once the paper has been cut, you get a pretty clean cut. You may want to use a plaster cardboard square (one large square size) as a guide.
- Press the drywall back, away from your punctured line.
- Fold the drywall slightly and cut the backing paper along the crease, with a knife. You will get a cleaner cut from the back instead of sticking your knife through the cut / break.
Tips & Warnings
If you start to measure the exposed wall on a corner, moving against the transverse wall, measure the beam that is closest to the length of your drywall (8 feet or 240 cm, drywall are easier to handle, but the sheets can be purchased in lengths up to 16 feet, or 480 cm).
Be sure to keep a sharp blade on your knife. This makes it easier and gives you a cleaner cut.
