Hanging Vertical Versus Horizontal

mtplus

Does hanging drywall vertically versus horizontally cause problems? Or in otherwords why do drywall contractors always hang drywall horizontally?

Mike Finley

All those drywall guys who argue over vertical or horizontal are all hacks, try hanging with the big dogs and hang it all diagonally!

mtplus

Mike,

Just trying to figure out if there are any downsides to hanging vertically?

Double-A

All the cool kids hang it from upper left to lower right.

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"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

bmartin

I believe most hang horizontal because it's easier to tape that way. Here I only see vertical when it's on a interior brace wall so they can nail as required.

joasis

Bach when I was in highschool, I worked for a builder contractor who hung the rock vertically, and didn't care what anyone thought. We go on tradition, and I haven't seen many who go vertical except on short ceilings or some other condition.

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AtlanticWBConst

I think this was stated earlier:

It's much easier to tape those seams. Sheets are 4' in height, that puts the seam at about waist level. Very easy to tape that way.
The less amount of bending down, or less having to get on a ladder saves time.

Additionally - sheetrock layed horizontally produces LESS seams, as you can get sheets in 12' + lengths. If you placed the sheets upright, you have seams every 4'.

As a side point: The main reason that sheets are placed upright on commercial projects is that the majority of commercial interior construction have dropped (acoustic) ceilings. By standing the sheets up, you can get all factory 'indented' seams which tape smoother. - Rather than what is called a butt seam or a 'nonfactory' edge to a 'nonfactory' edge. Much more difficult to get smooth.

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- Build Well -

Reds85chevy

if it is wood framed and u hang it veritical it will show every wave in the wall so i prefer it to be hor. but on metal frame, like in commerical, its ok to lay it horizatal.

Peladu

My brain hurts now.

ApgarNJ

I always thought they hung it vertically because most houses were all 8' ceilings and the factory horizontal joint was easier than a BUTT seam to spackle and make look good when finished. i know my drywaller wants the least amount of butt seams as possible, i'm sure the really long sheets of drywall that we use today, weren't as available back 50 years ago.

Tom R

I often hang it vertically, - - for a couple of reasons.

Like Apgar says, - - vertical sheets don't require butt seams (it's not the spackling that bothers me, - - it's the 'hump' in the wall)

I do my own framing, - - so I don't have to worry about 'un-crowned' studs or 'wild' locations.

I mainly do additions, - - I'm sure if I was doing more 'volume' I'd go horizontal.

I can't really say I see the logic of walls being more 'wavy' one way or the other. The direction of the drywall doesn't change the mis-alignment of the studs.

glasses97

The following is quoted from a drywall manufacture

"Gypsum board may be applied perpendicular (long edges of board at
Parallel Application right angles to the framing members) or parallel (long edges parallel to
framing). Fire-rated partitions may require parallel application (see
Chapter 10 for specific information on fire-rated systems).
Perpendicular application generally is preferred because it offers the
following advantages:
1. Reduces the lineal footage of joints to be treated up to 25%.
2. Strongest dimension of board runs across framing members.
3. Bridges irregularities in alignment and spacing of frame members.
4. Better bracing strength—each board ties more frame members
together than does parallel application.
5. Horizontal joints on wall are at a convenient height for finishing.
For wall application, if ceiling height is 2460 mm (81) or less,
perpendicular application of standard 1220 mm (4) wide panels
results in fewer joints, easier handling and less cutting. If ceiling height
is greater than 2460 mm (81) or wall is 1220 mm (4 ft.) wide or less,
parallel application is more practical."

MikeT

I was always taught Horizantal for the seam reason, howver llike tom said direction of drywall does not fix studs ....It just lets me tape at a comfortable height

lxdollarsxl

[QUOTE=Tom R]I often hang it vertically, - - for a couple of reasons.

Like Apgar says, - - vertical sheets don't require butt seams (it's not the spackling that bothers me, - - it's the 'hump' in the wall)

I do my own framing, - - so I don't have to worry about 'un-crowned' studs or 'wild' locations.



on the additions ive done in past i have done the same as tom, but for one more reason - working single handed its easier for me to handle the sheets that way and fix em in place.

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Damned if im gonna do it more than once.

James Boyd

I'd like to hear more about the diagonal hanging. That's just funny!

mtplus

Myabe there are others herer who understand your comment, I must admit that I do not. Please elaborate.

Thanks
Robert

hjm

I just ordered 200 10' sheets, I'm going horizontal for speed and less seems. Another basement

Greg Di

Bobby...

It was a joke.

mtplus

Greggy,

Sorry, I missed the word 'diagonal.'

Robert

supercrew

trust me when i say im no drywaller....ask the guy that tried to train me to tape and finish ....but he did teach me HIS way of hanging....hang it horizontal w/end joints staggard for the same reason you dont break it along a door or window...it WILL crack....i lived in a house that had a floor to ceiling crack EVERY 4'....on EVERY wall.....just my .02.....and like said....you cant fix mis-crowned studs.....just drive around south st louis county and jefferson county and look at the new construction with vinyl siding...pitiful to say the least....