Cutting Out Electrical Boxes Doors and Windows When Hanging Drywall
How to measure for electric boxes for plug-ins
Before working on cutting out the electrical plug-ins and switches, turn off the power.
When measuring using a measuring tape and measure from bottom of top drywall sheet to the top of the electrical outlet, mark electrical boxes on the bottom row of panels. To do this, you measure from the bottom of the top sheet to the top of the electrical outlet. Move the mark to the new piece of drywall.
Measure both height and width of the electrical outlet and make a design on the new piece of drywall. Then using a serrated drywall knife cut out the rectangular pattern for the electrical box and then check it for tightness, you do not want it too tight as it could cause cracking or crumbling. You will do the same basic measuring for the light switches (if any) in the room. Remember to make sure they are not too tight you do not want to have damage of cracking or crumbling later on, if they are tight use a rasp to knock off some around the cut out and check the tightness again.
How to install drywall around windows and doors
When installing drywall around windows and doors you hang the top row first, avoid making a seam at the corner of window or doors as this could cause cracks later on. When you have the top row hung, then use a saw and cut out the window or door.
Then hang the bottom panels and again use saw to cut out windows and doors. When working around inside corners, do not fit pieces tight together as this could cause cracks and crumbles, leave a 1/8 inch of space which you will fill with joint compound later.
When it comes to outside corners, let the panel hang over the corner on one side. Hang the adjacent panel, touching the back side of the overhang, and secure it. Cut away the excess.
If you do this you will have a nice finished drywall hang and not have to worry about cracks or crumbling damage later on. Finish hanging all the drywall and remember to do any light switches the same way you did the outlets. After all the drywall is hung and screwed securely in place, you will then be filling spaces around windows and doors with compound and then taping the seams to have a completely finished drywall installation.
If you do this properly you will have no waste of drywall, cracks, or crumbles and a beautiful finished remodel job that is ready for finishing with either paint or paper.