Laying a small section of Gyrock Horizontally or vertically?

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?

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?

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.

Thanks for the quick replies Greg and SilentC.

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

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

Tools

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.

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

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.

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