the art of drywall installation

learn about drywall installation and training in commercial construction

What is Drywalling?

Drywalling is a crucial component of the commercial construction industry. It involves creating interior walls and ceilings that are smooth, fire-resistant, and durable. This process consists of several steps:

Measuring and Cutting – Drywall panels are measured and cut to fit specific spaces within the building.
Installation – Panels are fastened to the building’s framework using screws or nails.
Taping and Finishing – Seams between panels are taped and covered with joint compound, which is then sanded to create a seamless surface.

Learn how to become an expert drywall installer in WMCI’s Drywall I!

Daily Duties of a Professional Drywaller

A day in the life of a professional drywaller involves numerous tasks aimed at ensuring that the drywall is perfectly installed and finished. Here are some common daily duties:

Measuring and Cutting Drywall – Precision is key. Each piece must fit perfectly within its designated space.
Installing Panels – Aligning and fastening panels to the framework using screw guns, drills, and saws.
Taping and Finishing Joints – Taping seams between panels and applying joint compound to create a smooth surface.
Sanding – Smoothing out layers of joint compound to ensure there are no imperfections.
Inspecting Walls – Checking for any faults or necessary repairs.
Collaboration – Working with other construction professionals to maintain project timelines.

drywall Career progression and pay

Starting a career in drywalling offers numerous opportunities for advancement.

Here’s a typical career progression along with estimated pay ranges in Michigan:

Entry Level/Apprentice

$35 - $45K/year

Learning the basics of drywall installation under the supervision of experienced professionals.

Journeyman Drywaller

$45 - $60K/Year

With experience and training, you start taking on more responsibilities and complex projects.

Lead Drywaller/Foreman

$55 - $85K/year

Overseeing teams and ensuring the quality and efficiency of drywall installation.

Superintendent/Owner

$90K+

Running your own drywall business or leading the drywalling team at a larger company.

Clark Causely receiving an award for WMCI instructing from Jen Schottke (President of West Michigan Construction Institute) and Jason Roh (Director of education.)

interview with a drywall expert

Clark Causley is a is a project manager at Lakewood Construction and WMCI instructor.

What should someone consider drywall training?

What drywall so valuable is that it’s a foundational skill for nearly every other craft trade in commercial construction. When you learn how to drywall, you’ve basically learned 2/3 of the basics needed for carpentry, electrical, plumbing, exterior envelope, etc.

And in the merit shop setup where you have more freedom to shape your own construction career path, this foundation allows you to choose one that best fits your interests and then move up faster.

What is something about the drywall trade that your average person may not know about?

Drywall plays a crucial role in fire suppression and protection.Years ago, before drywall became popular, builders often used materials like plaster and wood to finish walls. Wood, as you might imagine, is highly flammable, and plaster, though better, still didn’t provide the level of protection needed for fire safety.

Drywall on the other hand, was a game-changer for fire-resistant properties because its core material is gypsum – a natural mineral that contains water in its structure. When gypsum is exposed to fire, this water is released as steam, which slows down the transfer of heat and helps prevent the spread of flames making drywall an invaluable barrier against fire.

Commonly, standard drywall can resist fire for approximately 30 minutes and specialized fire-rated drywall can last for an hour or more. To put that into perspective, studies show that using fire-rated drywall in commercial construction can reduce the risk of fire spread by up to 75% compared to traditional materials!

What's your favorite part about knowing how to drywall?

Drywall is so useful and so universal in construction that the opportunities to build structures you dream up is near limitless! As you can imagine, this opens a lot of doors to what you can do not just at work, but on your own time as well.

For example, I wanted to free up some space in our living room by creating a little TV area. I framed it with 1-5/8″ steel studs, drywalled, finished, primed, painted and – BOOM – done! It was a very inexpensive way to dress up this space and the family loves it.

Side note: As you can imagine, you’ll quickly find that you become in high-demand with your friends and family. 🙂

The first step in drywalling instructor Clark Causely's home project creating an alcove for his living room. Three shelves have been installed. — Step 1: Framing and installing shelves

The second step in drywalling instructor Clark Causely's home project creating an alcove for his living room. The three shelves have been drywalled and are now flush with the triangular wall they are housed in. — Step 2: adding the drywall and finishing

The third step in drywalling instructor Clark Causely's home project creating an alcove for his living room. The three shelves have been primed and painted. — Step 3: priming and painting

Ready to learn more?

If you are interested in starting a career in commercial construction, drywall is a great option. Not only is it well-paid and in high-demand, it’s a skill that opens doors to grow into a wide range of craft trades of your choosing.

The West Michigan Construction Institute first opened its Drywall I Training in the Fall of 2024. In addition to receiving their NCCER Drywall I Certification, students in this course also graduate with their NCCER CORE: Foundational Construction Skills Certification!

Learn more about this popular program below and make sure you join the course mailing list to be the first to know when enrollment opens.