How to Install Sheetrock to Basement Floor Joists

Measure from an outside floor joist to the center of a joist that is just short of the length of your Sheetrock panel. The panels come in standard 4-foot widths, but you may choose from 8-, 10- or 12-foot lengths. Measure and hang the panels perpendicular to the direction of the joists.

Cut off the end of a Sheetrock panel to match your measurement. For example, if you're hanging 12-foot sheets, and the center of the adjacent joist to the one where you are starting is 11-foot, 6-inches; you would cut 6-inches from the end of the Sheetrock panel to match.

Place the cut panel on a drywall lift and hoist it up to the floor joists. You'll need an assistant to push the panel into place, since a drywall lift only raises it.

Position the edge of the panel in the exact center of the joist you measured earlier and insert drywall screws about ½-inch from the edge of the panel into the joist. Space the screws about 8-inches apart.

Insert additional drywall screws every 8 inches, through the Sheetrock panel and into the joists.

Measure for the next panel from the edge of the first panel, which is in the center of the joist, to the center of a joist that is just short of the length of the next panel, as you did before.

Cut the next Sheetrock panel and use the drywall lift and your assistant to position it tightly against the first panel. Keep the drywall panels snug to reduce taping later.

Continue measuring, cutting and installing the panels to the joists until you've covered the entire ceiling.