While there is no such thing as a perfect building material, drywall comes pretty close. For one thing, it's dirt cheap, costing about $7 for a 1/2-in.-thick 4 x 8 panel. It's also DIY friendly--about ...

Installing drywall, by its nature, leaves seams at the joins between panels, as well as screw holes. These must be hidden before painting for an even appearance. To finish drywall, start by driving ...