Replies

1. 
   JDRHI | May 19, 2006 04:07pm | #1

   It can be.....but I prefer to install drywall perpendicular to the framing to which it is being fastened.

   J. D. Reynolds

   Home Improvements

2. 
   Dave45 | May 19, 2006 05:07pm | #2

   This is a timely topic.  Last night, SWMBO and I were watching some DIY show on HGTV and they hung drywall vertically in their garage.  I said something about that being "unusual", and SWMBO wanted to know why I thought that.  (There was a somewhat "testy" tone in her voice, so I didn't press the issue - lol)

   I don't hang much drywall and every professional job I can recall seeing hung it horizontally.  Now, I'm curious..............what are the differences?

1. 
   DustyMan | May 19, 2006 05:21pm | #3

   I hang a fair amount of drywall and, for residential construction it is generally installed 90 degrees to the studs or the strapping. My understanding is that this adds to the structural integrity of the home. For basements you can install the board vertically on walls if you wish, but ceilings are 90 degrees to the joists or strapping. Commercial with steel studs is generally installed vertically because it is not part of the structural envelope of the building, although I have seen both horizontal and vertical installation.

   Installing horizontally on walls allows you to use larger sheets - which results in fewer butt joints to finish.

   Installing vertically on walls makes it easier to tape if you are using a mechanical taper and results in no butt joints, therefore faster finishing.

   Hope this helps.

    

2. 
   andy_engel | May 19, 2006 05:45pm | #4

   Horizontal application usually results in fewer lineal feet of seam to tape. It also takes advantage of the drywall's axis of strength, minimal as that is.Andy

   "Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig." Robert A. Heinlein

   "Get off your dead #### and on your dying feet." Mom

3. 
   IMERC | May 19, 2006 06:57pm | #6

   hang it fer less waste..

   it's yur project .. hang it anyway ya want...

   hang it so there are no butts or very few to tape...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->

   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

1. 
   Dave45 | May 19, 2006 08:06pm | #7

   It isn't my project, IMERC.  I was trying to answer a queston from SWMBO and it dawned on me that I really didn't have a good reason for why one way is right and one is wrong - lol.

1. 
   IMERC | May 20, 2006 05:05am | #12

   just trying to give ya several reasons...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->

   Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

2. 
   atrident | May 20, 2006 12:21am | #8

    Does anyone get out thier knife and taper thier butts. I can see a joke about a plastic surgeon and a woman here.

1. 
   andy_engel | May 20, 2006 01:00am | #9

   No, but I've let butt joints meet between studs using Myron Ferguson's Rock Splicer. It's essentially a piece of plywood 4 ft. long and about a foot wide. There are thin strips along both long edges, and when you screw into the center of the plywood, the drywall bends inward, creating a tapered butt joint.Andy

   "Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig." Robert A. Heinlein

   "Get off your dead #### and on your dying feet." Mom

1. 
   jeffcol323 | May 20, 2006 01:22am | #10

   I do mostly commercial (union) work where drywall is almost always installed parallel to wall studs. Not only does this usually eliminate all butt joints but I believe it also enhances the fire rating to have each seam backed up by a stud.

2. 
   andy_engel | May 20, 2006 05:08am | #13

   Makes sense for commercial work. I bet you see a lot of surfaces longer than 16 ft.?Andy

   "Never try to teach a pig to sing. It wastes your time and annoys the pig." Robert A. Heinlein

   "Get off your dead #### and on your dying feet." Mom

3. 
   blue_eyed_devil | May 20, 2006 05:45am | #14

   Jeff, I've done a few years commercial work too. In most cases, we also hung the drywall vertically. Also in most cases, we didn't have a drywall ceiling and most ceilings were hung at 8' above the finished floor. If we had hung the drywall horizontally in those situations, the tapered edge would have been showing and affected the installation of the wall angle for the accuostical ceiling.

   Also, it's a lot easier to order all 8' sheets when you figure your takeoff. That alone would be a big reason for most commercial guys...lol!

   I've done  a little technical reading about firewalls and I don't remember ever seeing anything about having a stud behind a seam. If it's a firewall, it has to be taped and the tape is the fire retarder. I've never read that all seam would have to be blocked, but joints do have to be staggered in two layer systems.

   During those same years when I did commercial, I also did quite abit of residential and we ALWAYS hung it horizontally.  

4. 
   DanH | May 20, 2006 03:24pm | #17

   If you're Catholic you hang it vertically, Protestant horizontally, Buddist diagnoally.
   If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison

1. 
   MisterT | May 20, 2006 03:27pm | #18

   What about separation of Church and State jobs??? 

   Mr. T. 

   The Emperor has NO clothes!!!

1. 
   DanH | May 20, 2006 04:06pm | #19

   For state jobs refer to spec 2749.6931(b), subsection II.
   If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison

1. 
   DanH | May 20, 2006 04:09pm | #20

   And for church jobs see 1 Kings.
   If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison

3. 
   hammer1 | May 19, 2006 06:40pm | #5

   Gypsum board can be installed in either direction. Most try to limit the lineal footage of taped seams, particularly butt joints. Most of the installers in my area hang perpendicular to the framing. It's easier for them to tape a horizontal tapered joint, especially if they are on stilts. Most tape corners about two thirds down when wearing stilts, then finish off when they are on the floor. Having a butt joint fall on a framing member allows for solid fastening and a flatter surface to finish the non-tapered edge. Long sheets installed horizontally can sometimes span an entire wall, thereby eliminating butt joints, which are the most difficult to tape. Vertical joints on walls are also more visible, particularly after framing has dried out. A joint every four feet can have an undulating appearance.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match

4. 
   northeastvt | May 20, 2006 02:07am | #11

   thebozer,

    I've worked with people that do it both ways, I've done it both ways. If the but joints fall on strapping, a stud, or a joist it's lot easier to finish for me, but I don't do a lot of it.. This is almost like the plywood thread , vert vs horizontal.

   Northeastvt

5. 
   Piffin | May 20, 2006 06:41am | #15

   no

    

    

   Welcome to the
   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
    where ...
   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   experienced | May 20, 2006 02:22pm | #16

   Here's a good free online book, Copied a bit from it.

   http://www.cgcinc.com/handbook.asp

    

   Maximum Frame Spacing—Drywall Construction Direct Application

   Single-Layer Application

   Panel thickness(1)     Location Application method(2)        Max. frame spacing o.c.   mm in.

   9.5 mm (3/8) ceilings(3)     perpendicular(4) 400 16          parallel(4) 400 16

   12.7 mm (1/2) ceilings        perpendicular 600 24(5)(6)     parallel(4) 400 16

                         sidewalls      parallel or perpendicular 600 24     parallel(4) 400 16

   15.9 mm (5/8) ceilings(6)    perpendicular 600 24       

                         sidewalls      parallel or perpendicular 600 24

   Double-Layer Application

   9.5 mm (3/8) ceilings(7)      perpendicular 400 16     

                        sidewalls        perpendicular or parallel 600 24(8)

   12.7 & 15.9 mm (1/2 & 5/8) ceilings      perpendicular or parallel 600 24(8)

                                             sidewalls   perpendicular 600 24(8)

   (1) 15.9 mm (5/8) thickness is recommended for the finest single-layer construction, providing increased resistance to fire and transmission of sound; 12.7 mm (1/2) for single-layer application in new residential construction and remodeling; and 9.5 mm (3/8) for repair and remodeling over existing surfaces.

   (2) Long edge position relative to framing.

   (3) Not recommended below unheated spaces. (

   4) Not recommended if water-based texturing material is to be applied.

   (5) Max. spacing 400 mm (16) if water-based texturing material is to be applied.

   (6) If 12.7 mm (1/2) SHEETROCK Brand Interior Ceiling Board is used in place of gypsum panels, max. spacing is 600 mm (24) o.c. for perpendicular application with weight of unsupported insulation not exceeding 6.5 kg/m2 (1.3 psf.), 400 mm (16) o.c. with weight of unsupported insulation not exceeding 11 kg/m2 (2.2 psf.)

   (7) Adhesive must be used to laminate 9.5 mm (3/8) board for double-layer ceilings.

   (8) Max spacing 400 mm (16) o.c. if fire rating required.