Drywall Backer Clips Installation

Drywall Clips Installation: Installing The Nailer^® Drywall Backer Clips

The Nailer® drywall backer clips offer a faster, easier alternative to traditional wood blocking for drywall installation on ceilings and walls. Buying drywall clips and accessories is a convenient option for construction projects, making installation quicker and more efficient.

These drywall backers clips securely fasten drywall at corners, seams, and intersections without the extra labor and material cost of wood backing. Drywall clips help ensure all corners and seams are properly covered, reducing the risk of gaps.

Additionally, drywall clips do not interfere with insulation, making them ideal for energy-efficient construction.

Drywall backer clips also help solve common installation problems, such as difficult corners and material waste.

Tools Needed

For Drywall Clips Installation

Screw Gun

For Metal Nailer® or HDPE/plastic Nailer®

“Tek” component screws or drywall screws

Optional: Staple Gun

with 1-inch or longer staples for faster installation (Only for HDPE/plastic Nailer®)

Steps to Install Drywall Using The Nailer^®

the nailer drywall backer clip attached framing and drywall

1. Locate Wall and Ceiling Framing

Identify all interior corners of walls and ceilings.
Do not install wood blocking or wood lath catchers in these areas.
Note: Any old drywall or material should be removed before starting the installation process.

2. Place The Nailer^®

Start at one end of the wall or ceiling.
Fasten The Nailer® over each stud or top plate, spaced up to 16″ on center (max 24″ for certain applications).
Refer to product diagrams and videos for specific placement.

3. Fastening The Nailer^®

To Wood Framing:

Metal Nailer^®:
Use one 1¼″ #6 coarse-thread drywall screw per clip. The clip should be pushed firmly onto the framing or drywall before being screwed or stapled in place. Proper screwing technique is important for security.

the nailer drywall backer clip installation diagram for wood stud

Plastic (HDPE) Nailer^®:
Use two ½″ crown staples (min) from a hand staple gun or pneumatic staple gun, driven through the clip’s down stem. The clip should be pushed firmly onto the framing or drywall before being stapled in place. Proper screwing or stapling technique is important for security.

the nailer plastic drywall backer clip installation diagram for wood stud

To Metal Framing

Metal Nailer®:
Secure using “Tek” screws through the center hole of the backing plate. The clip should be pushed firmly onto the framing or drywall before being screwed in place.

the nailer drywall backer clip installation diagram for metal framing

Plastic (HDPE) Nailer^®:
Use “Tek” screws through the down stem of the clip. The clip should be pushed firmly onto the framing or drywall before being screwed in place.

Caution:
If the clip is pushed too hard, it could damage the drywall, so care should be taken.

the nailer plastic drywall backer clip installation diagram for metal framing

4. Hanging Drywall

You may need to cut a piece of drywall to fit the damaged area or opening.
Attach drywall directly to The Nailer®, fastening through the adjacent down stem area.
Smaller pieces can be used for patching, and these pieces should fit snugly for best results.
The Nailer® clips provide a secure backing, eliminating the need for backing boards in corners and intersections.

5. Ceiling-to-Wall Applications

Install The Nailer® 16″ on center from the top plate in wall-to-wall corners.
Account for The Nailer®’s lid thickness (e.g., 48-5/8″ measurement) to ensure drywall sheets attach properly at seams. Each sheet should be measured and cut to fit the space as needed.

Diagram showing drywall backer clip installation positions with the nailer for ceiling-to-wall application

Additional
Tips & Resources
for Installing Drywall Clips

Always have the manufacturer’s installation guides and safety instructions on site. With the right tools, drywall clips can be installed easily, even by DIYers.

Ensure fastener penetration is sufficient to hold the clip firmly without damaging the framing. You don’t need to worry about damaging the framing if you follow the instructions.

For best results, maintain consistent 16″ spacing, aligning with framing members. In the opinion of many experts and users, this helps ensure a strong and reliable repair. Do some thinking about your specific project needs before starting the installation.

The Nailer drywall backer installation kit product photo

Shop All Products

Watch
Step by Step
Installation

**See The Nailer^® in Action**

Many users may have heard about drywall clips like The Nailer® from other builders or online sources.

Want to learn more about The Nailer® and how it can improve your drywall installation?

Watch our detailed videos featuring owner Andy Pizer discussing The Nailer®’s strength, along with comparisons between the plastic and steel versions. Available in both English and Spanish, these videos provide valuable insights for contractors and DIYers alike. Some of the videos and reviews were filmed or posted as recently as July, so you can be sure you’re getting up-to-date information. Viewers who figured The Nailer® would be helpful for their drywall projects can see real-life results in these demonstrations.

Explore our videos to see how The Nailer® can make your projects faster, stronger, and easier—voila, impressive results in action!

Explore Our Videos

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Installing Drywall Clips

Using the Wrong
Fasteners

Not all screws are created equal. Using fasteners that aren’t designed for drywall can cause clips to loosen or break, especially under load. Always select screws or staples recommended by the manufacturer to ensure a secure, lasting installation.

Ignoring Truss Uplift

Failing to account for truss uplift can result in cracks or breaks in your drywall over time. When installing clips near ceilings or corners, make sure to place them at the correct distance from the wall and avoid fastening directly to trusses that may move. This allows for natural movement and protects your drywall from future damage.

Bending or Warping
the Clip

The Mighty Nailer® is an original design created using 20-gauge galvanized steel, made to withstand the natural demands of your construction site. However, if you bend or warp a clip during installation, it may not provide the support needed, leading to a loose or uneven patch. Use the right equipment and avoid excessive force when attaching clips to prevent bending.

Installation FAQs

By placing The Nailers® sixteen inches in the center and using them in the ceiling and the walls, it has been estimated that you will use 150 to 200 Nailers per 1000 sq. ft. of living space.

If you are using the plastic Nailer®, you can nail, screw or use a staple gun into drywall and framing. Not all contractors use air guns, so we have made it possible to install The Nailer using the most common tools, such as a hand staple gun. If you use the metal Nailer®, you fasten it to the drywall and the framing with a screw gun. This is true for both wood and metal framing. Use standard drywall or “Tek” screw.

Yes – by attaching The Nailer® to the wood or metal framing, you can then hang the drywall on both the walls and ceiling and connect it to The Nailer® as well as you can fasten the drywall directly to The Nailer® adjacent to the down-stem.

Yes. Fasten The Nailer® to both wooden and metal studs and framing with one steel component screw or “Tek” screw. Fasten your drywall clips through the down stem with the beveled edge. This product has been designed and engineered, so you will never have to go up on top or back behind a wall to put in the backing.

The rule of two or three half-inch staples only applies to hand staple guns because that is usually the longest staple that can penetrate The Nailer® and still go in all the way. It was this greatest common denominator in which The Nailer® was tested. However, it is ideal when using pneumatic guns to install The Nailer® and use the broadest crown staple like a shingle staple or a nail with a flat head like a drywall nail or roofing nail. Be sure that the penetration is one inch or greater. Under these conditions, it is only necessary to use one staple or nail.

Once properly installed, it is nearly impossible to break off the tabs unintentionally, which highlights the strength and durability of the product.

Yes. By placing The Nailer® on the top plate to one side of each truss, then fasten your drywall in the corner to The Nailer®, not the truss. The subsequent screw placement should be a minimum of sixteen inches from the corner. If a truss is running parallel to a wall and is six inches or closer to the wall, do not fasten to that truss. Skipping the truss will allow the drywall to arch, and the corner will remain intact when the truss moves in different climates.