Get to Know the Pros and Cons of Hanging Drywall Vertically

New drywall sets the stage for beautiful walls that help bring your space together—if you get the installation right. You have two options for hanging drywall: vertical or horizontal. Most drywall pros hang sheets vertically, but sometimes horizontally is better. Here, we explore the pros and cons of hanging drywall vertically so you can decide which method is best for your home.

What Is Vertical Drywall?

Hanging drywall vertically, or standing the drywall, means installing panels so the longer edges run up the wall from floor to ceiling. If you’re handy, you can install drywall yourself. Otherwise, call a local drywall contractor for the best results from what can be a time-consuming and detailed job.

Pros of Hanging Drywall Vertically

Most professional drywallers recommend hanging drywall vertically in almost every case. Here’s why:

1. Easier to Install

Most drywall sheets are 4-by-8, 4-by-10, or 4-by-12 feet (although you can get larger sheets and custom sizes), making them easier to handle when hanging vertically. On the other hand, when hanging drywall horizontally, you need to wrestle long, narrow sheets that can be challenging to line up and keep straight across the width of the wall.

2. Sheet Width Aligns With Standard Studs

If your home has standard-spaced studs (16 or 24 inches apart), drywall sheets that are 4 feet wide will perfectly align. This simplifies the installation process, assures a secure fit, and keeps your walls sturdy with continuous coverage from floor to ceiling.

3. Less Cutting Means Less Waste 

Drywall sheets fit in standard-height rooms, so you can buy them to fit the height of your room and won’t need to cut them down to size. This will save you time and prevent material waste.

4. Best for High Ceilings

The standard ceiling height in most homes is 8 feet, but many homes have taller ceilings. Many installers prefer vertical placement when learning how to hang drywall since taller drywall sheets may fit exactly. Plus, they affix tightly to evenly spaced studs, so they’ll stay sturdy and fight the forces of gravity.

5. Easiest for One-Person and DIY Installation

The narrower width is easier for one person to grasp and place. Even if you’re not a pro, you should be able to hold onto and balance drywall sheets in a vertical orientation. This is especially true if you buy the right-height sheets and align the edges with the studs. 

Cons of Hanging Drywall Vertically

While it has its fair share of pros, there are also some downsides to hanging drywall vertically. Here’s what to consider before you start:

1. More Seams

In most rooms, hanging drywall vertically means you’ll have more seams to cover than if you hang it horizontally. You’ll also need to use more screws per sheet of drywall to secure it. Taping, mudding, and sanding those seams and screws will take more time and increase the cost of installing drywall.

2. Seams Are More Visible

Since hanging drywall the tall way creates more seams, and their vertical, floor-to-ceiling nature makes it harder to reach and cover them evenly, you are at a higher risk of seeing those seams. Be sure your drywall installer knows how to cover those seams so they don’t affect the wall's aesthetic appeal.

3. More Likely to Form Cracks

More seams and taller drywall sheets are more susceptible to the pressure of gravity, so vertical drywall installations have a higher potential to form cracks, especially if the home settles or the structure moves. Floor-to-ceiling cracks can appear along joint lines and seams overnight or slowly over the years.

4. Weaker Under Horizontal Weight

Some homes have more horizontal pressure from upper floors, and vertical drywall is more susceptible to horizontal pressure and impacts. Conversely, horizontal drywall is better at distributing the weight of horizontal pressure across the whole wall, making cracks and bowing less likely.

5. Not Recommended in Commercial or High-Traffic Areas

Horizontal drywall is stable and durable against wear and tear, especially in commercial buildings and high-traffic areas. Some commercial buildings require horizontal drywall installation for fire protection. If you’re thinking of hanging drywall vertically in a commercial building, check local codes and recommendations or learn how to find a good drywall contractor who can help.

Hanging Drywall Horizontally vs. Vertically

There’s one popular alternative to hanging drywall vertically: hanging it horizontally. Drywallers recommend installing drywall vertically, but some scenarios may call for hanging it horizontally. 

1. To Hide Uneven and Bowed Studs

If your home’s studs are uneven or bowed, hanging the drywall horizontally can help hide the problem. Horizontal drywall sheets will flow over flaws in the framing rather than magnify bumps and protrusions. 

2. Easier to Finish

Horizontal drywall is easier to finish. Vertical seams mean you’ll need to reach up high and down low to tape, mud, and cover. Horizontal seams line up 48 or 54 inches from the floor, making one continuous seam across the length of the wall that’s easier to reach.

3. Long-Length Drywall Makes It Even Easier

You can buy drywall in long lengths, including 16 feet long and 54 inches wide, and cover entire walls in just one drywall length without vertical seams and just one horizontal seam.