Why You Should Use Screws Instead of Nails for Drywall
Screws are superior and faster, especially when using a collated screw gun.
Myron Ferguson, a longtime contributor and expert in drywall, shares a quick tip on why it’s better to use screws when installing drywall.
I never use nails—I probably gave up using them 20 years ago.
Screws definitely are a superior way to attach drywall, and it’s a lot faster to use screws over nails. I like the collated screw gun, which is really fast and convenient. I use 1-1/4- in. coarse-thread screws. In residential construction, it’s supposed to go into the wood framing 5/8 in., so a 1-1/4-in. screw works great.
You’re not going to get a better job by using a 2-in. or 1-5/-8-in. screw. The longer screws tend to go in a little more crooked, so you don’t get a proper set. Because it goes into the wood more, if that lumber were to shrink, it’s actually more likely to pop. As a result, using the proper length screw is very important.
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