Every DIYer and home craftman should be familiar with drywall. It is one of the most widely used construction materials and it is a crucial component in every room you have ever entered.
Learning how to cut a hole in drywall is simple, but it does require extreme precision. For this reason, its easy to see how it can be an intimidating project. Today, well provide you with all the info you need to learn how to cut a hole in drywall perfectly, every time.
What You’ll Need
You only need a few tools to cut drywall. This means you don’t have to buy any new tools or break out the power tools. Here’s what you will need:
- A drywall saw or utility knife
- Power drill
- Drywall screws
- Framing square
- Carpenters Pencil
Step 1: Drywall Sheets In Full
Before you begin to cut holes in the drywall for lighting fixtures or electrical fixtures, hang all the sheets of drywall that don’t need to be cut. Completing this step before cutting any drywall will help ensure that your measurements are perfectly accurate, which is critical to a job well done.
Use a power drill to drive drywall screws through drywall and into the walls. Make sure not to overdrive the screws. You want the screw heads to be perfectly flush with the surface of the drywall.
Hang each sheet of drywall, except the pieces of drywall that youll need to cut holes in, until the room is complete.
Lowes offers some great tips for getting the job done, whether you are drilling a hole in drywall already hung or patching it.
Step II: Measuring The Hole
With the rest of the drywall in place, youll now be able to use the edges of those drywall sheets as points of reference for your hole measurements.
Measure the distance between the edge of the wall and the nearest edge of your fixture. Next, note this in pencil on a sheet of drywall. Next, measure the distance from the edge of the drywall to the far edge of the fixture and note that on the drywall as well.
Next, measure the distance between the top of your fixture and the edge of the wall above it. Then, measure the distance from the top of the fixture to where the floor or drywall is below it.
These measurements will help you determine exactly where to cut the hole in your wall. We will now mark the exact location of the cut on the drywall.
You will need to take the drywall piece you are going to cut holes in. It should already have the measurements that you have just taken written on it.
Measure the number you got from your first measurement from the edge of the drywall. To mark this point, use a framing ruler to draw a straight line. Repeat the process for the second measurement. Once you have completed the first measurement, use a framing ruler to mark it off. Now you have the measurements for each end of your fixture.
Next, take your measurements for the top and bottom of the fixture, measure those out with your tape measure and mark them with the framing square. You should now have the exact location of the fixture you need to cut out marked off on your drywall.
If youre cutting a square or rectangular hole, your measuring work is done. If you are cutting a rectangular or square hole, your measuring work is done. However, if you want to cut a circular hole you will need to draw a circle within the box that you have just marked on the wall.
You can do this with a compass, but its even easier to do with an extra electrical or lightbox. Simply center the box within the lines that you have just drawn and trace the shape. If you prefer to use a compass, find the middle of the box youve marked, and use that as the starting point to sketch your circle.
Step III: Cutting The Hole
Now, you can use a drywall saw or utility knife to cut the hole in the drywall.
Place your drywall on top of the saw horses.
Use a drywall-saw to place the point of your drywall saw on the line you want to cut. Then, use your spare hand and tap the saw through the wall as if it were a nail. Once the saw is through the drywall, you can begin sawing through the sheetrock in a back and forth motion along the line you have drawn.
You must ensure that you are cutting exactly along the lines that have been marked. Building code only allows for gap on any side of a fixture, and if you cut the hole too large, youre going to be up the creek when its time for an inspection.
If youre cutting a square or rectangle, make sure never to cut beyond where two lines intersect. This can cause damage to fragile sheetrock and will result in more spackling work later.
If youre using a utility knife to cut the hole, the same rules are in place. Be sure to follow your line exactly, and never cut beyond where two lines intersect.
To begin, drive the blade of the utility knife into the sheetrock, and follow the line youve drawn. After you have completed the cutting, use your hammer to gently tap the middle of the hole.
Use your utility knife to remove any drywall that is still attached to your hole after you have removed it.
The Final Word
Every home crafter should learn how to cut holes in drywall. Since it does involve a bit of careful planning and math, its easy to see how it can be intimidating at first, but it doesnt have to be. You’ll soon be a pro at hanging and cutting drywall if you follow the steps.
