Laying a small section of Gyrock Horizontally or vertically?

[Art Martin]

Hi,

Just after a piece of advice if anyone has a quick moment.

I've got a small section of wall that is about 700mm wide by 2700 high that I need to gyprock.

Obviously, sheeting a full sized wall you lay the gyprock horizontally. However, it would be easier in my instance to lay the sheet vertically and use 1 vertical sheet instead of two horizontal. This way, there would be no need for a horizontal join between the sheets.

Is there any reason why I should not just use 1 sheet? Or should you always lay gyprock horizontally?

[gregt]

Can't see why not. I have done it as well. Just be aware that if you use a side with the recess in it you will need to fill the joint (as you would normally) but you know what I mean?

[silentC]

As far as I know, there's no requirement to install it horizontally if it's a single sheet. I believe that the reason for installing it horizontally when there are joins is so that the join is supported by the studs. You wouldn't want a join running parallel to the studs, unless you nogged the space between every 450mm.

[Art Martin]

Thanks for the quick replies Greg and SilentC.

I'm no big fan of plastering, so the less joining, the better!

[Tools]

There is no reason you can't.In commercial applications, whole walls are often done vertically.

Tools

[peter_sm]

I did 6 sections vertically when doing my reno's as there were only foot long joins above doors instead of 4 foot horizontal joins. Much easier to lay and easier on the eyes if being critical.

[rod@plasterbrok]

Wasn't going to weigh into this one as the answeres above were good. HOWEVER........

I would not do that. Joins over doors have a habit of cracking.

We won't allow our contractors to join over a door or window unless it is neccessary due to the wall being longer than 6 meters and if they do they must join it away from the edge of the door or window by at least 300mm. This puts less strain on the join.

Over a door or window is a weak point in a frame. I have even see board not joined split up a door and window.

Also you have a butt join rather than a recessed join.

For anyone who has does put a join over the window or door, or if your contractor does, it MUST be taped using paper tape. Or it will crack every time.

Cheers Rod

[peter_sm]

I used paper tape on all joins. I can understand what the reason is, as the first point of movement on a wall when subject to diagonal stress would be a door or window opening. The opening will diagonalise, and the join would be the first point of crack.

I have done my plaster now, so I can only wait and see what happens with time now. Oh well.

[rod@plasterbrok]

If you used paper tape your job may be ok.

We do 15 to 20 jobs a month so we would be back fixing cracks all the time if we took the risk.

We just don't think the risks are worth it.

cheers