Doing first drywall job, what is proper way to hang it??

Question

I was told for a beginner it is easier for someone to hang drywall vertically, but I suspect that this would highly increase the odds for a crack from ceiling to floor. I have always seen it hung horizontally and would think that that is the proper way.

Answer 1

I've hung thousands of sq. ft. and neither is right or wrong. Your assumption about cracks however is unfounded, no offense.

Consider this. Most houses are hung vertically, using 8 or 10 ft sheets. It's most especially important when one considers waste, IE: a room size not exactly measured to accomodate 4 x 8 without cutting. Studs are 16 inches at center Hopefully, designed to accomodate older designs in 8 ft celings. No matter how anyone HANGS, the weight distribution is the same in the physical process.

I'm sure one can find 5 x 10 sheets, but why? As a one person job a 4 x 8 is enough to handle when you hang 40 sheets a day. I'm wondering what causes you to think of cracking?

In any case, PLANNING is as important as any labor, and measure twice, cut once is extremely valid.

Again though,,, with "hangers" it may be no more than a personal preference, much like people who ask and suggest paint colors here. I suspect "whatever works", gets the job done in a "quality" manner, is all that matters to anyone who has to live with the results.

Steven Wolf
(The Rev.)

Answer 2

As a long time custom builder, I have both hung and hired drywall.

The best hang is horizontal, starting with the top first, tight to the ceiling sheet. The one below it is offset so the vertical joint is not on the same stud. It's faster and more material efficient, and taping a horizontal mid-height joint is a breeze compared to working floor to ceiling ones.

Sheets are sized to the wall length in horizontal hangs, to minimize joints for two reasons: (1) More joints represent extra labor, (2) Butt joints of drywall ends on a flat wall are the most visible and easiest to crack. Size the rock to the wall and there are few butt joints.

Answer 3

the reason u dont hang it vertical is that u will have seams in the wall every 4 ft and very easy to see.....hang the ceiling first, stagger the joints....then the walls starting with the upper sheet first and stagger the joints...then the next bottom piece and use a flat bar to push the bottom sheet up to the upper sheet.....will need to go up about 1 1/4 inches..........

lic. gen. contractor

Answer 4

horizontally, because of the 8 foot butt joint the breaks are staggered better on the butt joints

Answer 5

horizontally