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Project Difficulty:
Moderate
Estimated
Project Time: A few hours
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Drywall
Safety goggles
Drop cloths
Plastic sheeting
Tape
Broom and vacuum, as needed
Measuring tape
Pencil
Drawing paper, as needed
T-square, ruler, or framing square
Utility knife
Straightedge
Drywall saw
Stepladder, as needed
Heavy-duty construction adhesive
Caulking gun
Drywall nails and drywall hammer or drywall screws and power driver or drywall screw gun
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Every house seems to have an odd-shaped corner or area that can't be drywalled with squares, rectangles, or easy-to-figure triangles. The trick is to break down an odd shape into its component lengths or sides, and then use a framing square or T-square to transfer the dimensions onto the wallboard. For a small shape, use a scrap piece of drywall. If possible, use a fresh corner or factory edge of the panel for reference in laying out any piece, no matter what the size.
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1.
Measure the Area
Determine the dimensions and angles of the odd-shaped area. Measure each side of the area you want to fill (Fig. 1). Drawing a diagram of the shape might be helpful. If it's a small piece, you might want to make a paper pattern of the shape and use that to duplicate the shape onto the face side of the panel.
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2.
Mark the Cuts on the Drywall Panel
Using a T-square, ruler, or framing square, transfer the dimensions and shape onto the face side of a drywall panel. Try to use a factory edge, like the top edge of the panel in Figure 2, for a reference while transferring the dimensions of the odd-shaped piece.
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3.
Cut the Drywall
Cut out the piece using a utility knife and straightedge as necessary (Fig. 3). If you can't snap this piece cleanly from the panel, score the cutting lines repeatedly with your utility knife to make a clean cut, or use a drywall saw.
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4.
Install the Piece
Test-fit the piece in the odd-shaped hole and mark and trim its edges where necessary to make it fit. If the piece is large and unwieldy, you might need a helper to assist you in this procedure. Using a caulking gun, apply heavy-duty construction adhesive to the studs. Install the odd-shaped piece of drywall, holding it flush against the framing, and fasten it in place using at least two drywall nails or screws along each edge, or, for larger panel pieces, the recommended on-center spacing (Fig. 4). Keep each fastener at least 3/8 inch from the edge of the piece. Work across the length or width of the odd-shaped piece, spacing the fasteners every 16 inches or so, matching the studs. Never fasten the perimeter and then the interior. If using nails, use a drywall hammer. For screws, use a drywall screw gun or a power driver.
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