Hides uneven studs – Hanging horizontally also allows the drywall to flow over the framing so that bowed studs create less of a problem. If the drywall were hung vertically and a seam placed on a bowed out stud, the seam would be magnified because of the bump in the wall.
Always hang drywall horizontally when it makes sense materially and you are capable of working precision work from the ceiling to the floor. Horizontal creates less seams to finish and when it comes to drywall, less seams mean smoother walls.
Determining Panel Orientation
We recommend horizontal installation for walls. This reduces the number of seams and makes them less noticeable.
It's standard practice to hang drywall horizontally except in the case of a firewall (where all seams must be blocked).
Place strips of preformed tape on the outside corners and edges. Apply mud over the taped corners and edges with consistent vertical strokes. Wipe away any excess compound. Allow the mudded and taped areas to dry overnight.
Keeping the joints between sheets of drywall too close is an invitation for troubles along the way. Professional drywall installers allow for ⅛-inch space between sheetrock placement, and this allows for expansion and contraction for the frame of the building, avoiding cracks and damage to the drywall.
Does it matter which way you hang drywall? Hanging drywall can be done both vertically and horizontally. This entirely depends upon the fire codes and regulations in your location. For instance, many commercial buildings require drywall to be installed vertically.
Always leave a 1/2-inch gap at the floor.
Number of Screws Per Sheet of Drywall
Use about 32 drywall screws per sheet of 4-foot by 8-foot drywall installed horizontally on a wall. This total is comprised of four screws on the five middle studs and six screws on each of the two sides.
One key difference between the two is that sheetrock is a brand name of drywall made by the United States Gypsum Corporation. Another difference lies in their production process; sheetrock has a slightly denser core than drywall due to the addition of a small amount of wood fiber to the gypsum core.
Stud boards run vertically through the walls, from the ceilings to the floors. Inside your house, they're covered in drywall or plaster, so they aren't immediately visible. You might wonder, "How far apart are studs?" These framing boards are usually spaced 16 inches or 24 inches apart during construction.
Professional drywall installers consider horizontal placement to be a stronger form of installation. Start with the top row of drywall sheets and butt them up against the ceiling. Then, add the lower row of drywall sheets. This row will usually need to be cut down a few inches.
Hides uneven studs – Hanging horizontally also allows the drywall to flow over the framing so that bowed studs create less of a problem. If the drywall were hung vertically and a seam placed on a bowed out stud, the seam would be magnified because of the bump in the wall.
Use three layers: tape coat, filler coat, and final coat. Covering the tape comes only with the final coat or coats. If your initial final coat doesn't cover the tape, apply more coats, but keep them thin.
You can hang drywall vertically (tall and narrow) or horizontally (short and wide). Vertical drywall is easier to install, aligns with studs, requires less cutting, and fits tall ceilings. Drywall has more seams, is more likely to crack, and is weaker against horizontal pressure when hung vertically.
It might sound counter intuitive at first to leave space between your floor and your wall, but you should always leave a ½ inch to ⅝ inch gap between drywall and the floor.
The vertical edges of the sheet should attach to studs. Score the front side and cut away the paper backing. Smooth any rough edges and position the piece. Mark the studs and drive in screws to secure the drywall.
You'll need about one screw for every square foot of drywall. The standard 4-by-8-foot sheet of drywall needs 32 screws.
If you use the double-drywall technique and put a further layer of sound-dampening material or compound between them, you'll have a quieter area. The added layer of drywall and compound reduces vibrations and (consequently) cuts down on the sound that travels through the walls.
Sheetrock can be hung in even, parallel rows or it can be staggered to create T-shaped junctions. Ultimately, staggered seams are stronger because the joints – the weakest part of the wall or ceiling installation – are minimized.