I'm looking for some advice on how to drywall my new 40' x 40' shell building. The current structure consists of just 2x6 exterior studs, a slab, and trusses. I'm considering whether I should install the ceiling drywall first or wait until the interior walls are up. It seems like doing the ceiling first would make things easier, as it's a big, flat area, and I'd avoid dealing with wall seams. However, I'm concerned about how to finish the wall-to-ceiling gap without using molding. I'm considering using NLB connectors to attach the walls to the trusses, but I'm unsure how that would impact the ceiling installation. Plus, given the extreme weather in northern Minnesota, I want to ensure the connection is flexible and sealed for noise and fire. Should I do the ceiling first or is it better to build the walls first? I've read that it might be common to go the traditional route, but I'm still confused about the best way to handle this situation for my indoor rooms.
3 Answers
Yeah, doing the ceiling first is the way to go. Just keep in mind that the sides you install afterwards will give extra support to the ceiling. It’s all about maximizing stability!
I mean, it seems like sandwiching the drywall so that it fits loosely between the walls and the ceiling might not be the best approach. You want things to be secure, right? I’d stick to the ceiling first method, then frame the walls up after that.
Got it! Just making sure I don’t end up having too many complications later on.
You should definitely go with putting up the ceiling first. After that, the walls can help provide some support to the ceiling. Also, you might want to add some blocking along the sides of the room to stabilize everything a bit more. It'll keep things sturdy in the end!
That’s good to know! So, the ceiling must go up first and then just frame the walls after? Sounds simple enough!

Totally! I guess that makes sense when you're considering how everything holds together.