54" sheetrock - hard to find

[branimal]

Getting ready to sheetrock a gut reno project. I have 111" ceilings and figured using 54" boards would save me some money - b/c there'd be one less seam to tape on the bottom. The bottom seam would be covered by the flooring (3/4" + 5" baseboard = 5 3/4").

I called two building suppliers for quotes and they don't have it. Doesn't sound like they can get it in stock either. Is that the norm now? I was under the impression 54" could be found easily at suppliers. I'm in NYC.

Full disclosure - I'm not hanging or taping the rock. That is a job best left to the pros - especially the later. But I am responsible for getting the rock here.

 

[gungatim]

Never even heard of 54" boards. I would just use 10' sheets vertically like normal.

 

[mike93lx]

Are you asking about any length or looking just for 8'? I think 54's usually are 12' length

Any suppliers specializing in wallboard around you?

 

[PCustoms]

Full disclosure - I'm not hanging or taping the rock. That is a job best left to the pros - especially the later. But I am responsible for getting the rock here.

Any particular reason your not having them source the material?

 

[branimal]

Are you asking about any length or looking just for 8'? I think 54's usually are 12' length

Any suppliers specializing in wallboard around you?

Ahh good point - I was asking for 54" x 8 'and 54" x 10'. Maybe I'm SOL here.

I called building suppliers. I'll see if there are drywall suppliers around here.

 

[gizardlizard]

My local Menards stocks the 54” wide sheets but only in 12’ lengths. Not cheap. $24.78 a sheet

 

[branimal]

My local Menards stocks the 54” wide sheets but only in 12’ lengths. Not cheap. $24.78 a sheet

Maybe 54"s only exist in 12' variety. And the other sizes were figments of my imagination.

That's not a bad price. $0.46 sq ft. I'm paying $15.10 for a 4x8. or $0.47 sq ft from a supplier in bulk. HD wants 0.64/sq ft.

 

[backupbeeper]

Just let the crew that’s going to hang and finish it , worry about where to find it


They will likely just use ten foot sheets and install them vertically

 

[gungatim]

Just let the crew that’s going to hang and finish it , worry about where to find it


They will likely just use ten foot sheets and install them vertically

That's what I said, it's fairly typical and widely available.

 

[hefnerconstructionlc]

Call a drywall supplier. They should be available in wide width. Done all the time for 9 foot ceilings.

 

[cgrutt]

Did you try Kamco?

Locations | Kamco Supply Corp.

Kamco Supply Corp. has four locations in the New York/New Jersey metro area.

www.kamconewyork.com

 

[backupbeeper]

That's what I said, it's fairly typical and widely available.

Always better to do that

That way if there’s a problem with the materials the contractor can’t blame you

 

[njk4o5]

is there a reason your not using a 4'x10' sheet?

 

[branimal]

Did you try Kamco?

Locations | Kamco Supply Corp.

Kamco Supply Corp. has four locations in the New York/New Jersey metro area.

www.kamconewyork.com

I use Kamco and FBM (Formerly Marjam). They only have the 54" x 12s. I think that's the standard.

 

[Norcal]

Never even heard of 54" boards. I would just use 10' sheets vertically like normal.

Vertically is a piss poor way to hang rock, much stronger to hang the sheets horizontally.

 

[reader2580]

If 12 foot sheets won't fit you could cut them to length outside, but that is also extra cost. It might be cheaper than extra seams.

 

[NORTON'S SHOP]

Vertically is a piss poor way to hang rock, much stronger to hang the sheets horizontally.

^^^This^^^ It's seems that it was done this way longer ago for the exact reason you stated. Just makes sense. In the slap it up as quick as possible, with the least amount of effort while maximizing profit world we live in, hanging vertically has become the norm.

 

[cgrutt]

^^^This^^^ It's seems that it was done this way longer ago for the exact reason you stated. Just makes sense. In the slap it up as quick as possible, with the least amount of effort while maximizing profit world we live in, hanging vertically has become the norm.

It's pretty common hanging vertically in commercial space to meet fire code where all seams must fall on framing...

 

[pcmeiners]

Discontinued.....

https://www.kamconewyork.com/Customer-Content/www/news/PDFs/USG_Discontinuation_of_Gypsum_Panel_Products_10-30-2020.pdf

 

[mike93lx]

Discontinued.....

https://www.kamconewyork.com/Customer-Content/www/news/PDFs/USG_Discontinuation_of_Gypsum_Panel_Products_10-30-2020.pdf

Not 54's, and that's just a spdcific product line being replaced with another

 

[mm08822]

Let the drywaller get everything. Then it's all on him.
Another joint using box coaters is nothing.

 

[mike93lx]

Let the drywaller get everything. Then it's all on him.
Another joint using box coaters is nothing.

This, and having a joint at floor level sounds terrible. Regardless of the baseboard coverage, they simply won't do as good of a job due to how awkward it is. A joint a foot off the ceiling will be a lot easier on stilts, but let then make the call on placement

 

[nadogail]

Let your drywall contractor solve the problem.

Yes, it might cost a little bit more than if you source the materials yourself but the savings are not worth the Extra Worry on your part.

 

[PCustoms]

This, and having a joint at floor level sounds terrible. Regardless of the baseboard coverage, they simply won't do as good of a job due to how awkward it is. A joint a foot off the ceiling will be a lot easier on stilts, but let then make the call on placement

I think the joint would go in the middle, then there's just one w i d e tapeline

 

[mm08822]

I think the joint would go in the middle, then there's just one w i d e tapeline

Yes, and at a good working height.
My builder did that and I was not happy about it at first. However, the drywaller did an excellent finishing job and never thought about it for the next 25 years.

 

[mike93lx]

I think the joint would go in the middle, then there's just one w i d e tapeline

That's what I would do if I was dumb enough to do drywall work again, but I'm a feckless hack with a taping knife.

 

[gungatim]

Vertically is a piss poor way to hang rock, much stronger to hang the sheets horizontally.

Stronger? Sheetrock isn't used to tie a wall together for strength. There is zero difference between horizontal and vertical hanging except to reduce finish work on the seems. This is one of those myths like a 2x6 framed wall is stronger than a 2x4 framed wall. SMH...

 

[Hakeem]

I think the joint would go in the middle, then there's just one w i d e tapeline

Any drywaller worth their salt would do it this way if code allows, taping and finishing a seam at chest height is far preferable than setting up a ladder and taping numerous vertical seams.

Stronger? Sheetrock isn't used to tie a wall together for strength. There is zero difference between horizontal and vertical hanging except to reduce finish work on the seems. This is one of those myths like a 2x6 framed wall is stronger than a 2x4 framed wall. SMH...

Sheetrock isn’t typically used as the only lateral bracing component for obvious reasons but it absolutely contributes to shear strength. IBC allows for it in certain applications, drawing from the research performed by the American Wood Council, a summary of which you can find here:

PDF Viewer

Regarding your second statement, I don’t see how a 2x6 OC16 wall wouldn’t be stronger in either compression or lateral strength. A 2x6 OC24 is similar in compression strength to a 2x4 OC16 but is still stronger in the face of racking forces

 

[branimal]

Vertically is a piss poor way to hang rock, much stronger to hang the sheets horizontally.

I sheetrocked the apartment above the one i'm working on now. I hung everything horizontally except skinny return walls in which case I'd hang a vertical sheet.

If 12 foot sheets won't fit you could cut them to length outside, but that is also extra cost. It might be cheaper than extra seams.

It's all getting boomed thru a window.

That's what I would do if I was dumb enough to do drywall work again, but I'm a feckless hack with a taping knife.

I'll never hang rock again. Last time around I had to deal with 12' ceilings. I had a guy helping me and I used a sheetrock lift, but it still took forever. I hired out for taping. That's an art form.

 

[Joemctag]

^^^This^^^ It's seems that it was done this way longer ago for the exact reason you stated. Just makes sense. In the slap it up as quick as possible, with the least amount of effort while maximizing profit world we live in, hanging vertically has become the norm.

Horizontal is all I’ve ever seen by residential hangers. Fewer joints; one at covenient 4’-0” or 4’-6” +\- height above floor. Commercial, all I’ve ever seen is vertical. Don’t know why they do it that way; someone here must know the reason.

 

[Norcal]

Stronger? Sheetrock isn't used to tie a wall together for strength. There is zero difference between horizontal and vertical hanging except to reduce finish work on the seems. This is one of those myths like a 2x6 framed wall is stronger than a 2x4 framed wall. SMH...

Go in where a stud has twisted out and the dumb asses hung the rock vertically and the seam landed on that stud, if had been horizontal, it may have restrained it while drying & been fine, as it was had to be torn out to replace the stud & rehung.

 

[gungatim]

Go in where a stud has twisted out and the dumb asses hung the rock vertically and the seam landed on that stud, if had been horizontal, it may have restrained it while drying & been fine, as it was had to be torn out to replace the stud & rehung.

If the stud is twisted, you slit it and untwist it or you toss it and use a different one. If you rely on drywall to hold a wall straight, you're doing it wrong.

 

[Norcal]

If the stud is twisted, you slit it and untwist it or you toss it and use a different one. If you rely on drywall to hold a wall straight, you're doing it wrong.

When I came across it the damage was done, I do not even know who the idiots were that were responsible.

 

[Mandres]

That's the reason why you hang residential drywall horizontally. The walls are never straight or flat and horizontal hides it better. It's not about strength. In new commercial work with metal studs it's usually not an issue to go vertical if code or the builder requires it

 

[rayra]

Stronger? Sheetrock isn't used to tie a wall together for strength. There is zero difference between horizontal and vertical hanging except to reduce finish work on the seems. This is one of those myths like a 2x6 framed wall is stronger than a 2x4 framed wall. SMH...

Yep, more about averaging out the ****** framing job over a wide span, than any "strength".

 

[The Cobbler]

Commercial, all I’ve ever seen is vertical. Don’t know why they do it that way; someone here must know the reason.

that's probably a fire code issue, so there's no joint over open air .

 

[Norcal]

Yep, more about averaging out the ****** framing job over a wide span, than any "strength".

Lumber is not getting any better.

 

[KenC]

Horizontal vs vertical. In my world it's all about finishing ease/time. 12' wall vertical has 16' to mud and tape. Horizontal has 12'. And it's easier to reach. DIY'er and too old to like climbing ladders or wearing stilts.

+ there's always the stud that twists, after the rock is in place. Or those not placed correctly in the first place creating a work step that's unneeded with horizontal, ripping sheets to width to fit 13" or 15" spacing. Not every room is framed correctly.

 

[Joemctag]

Horizontal vs vertical. In my world it's all about finishing ease/time. 12' wall vertical has 16' to mud and tape. Horizontal has 12'. And it's easier to reach. DIY'er and too old to like climbing ladders or wearing stilts.

+ there's always the stud that twists, after the rock is in place. Or those not placed correctly in the first place creating a work step that's unneeded with horizontal, ripping sheets to width to fit 13" or 15" spacing. Not every room is framed correctly.

Twisted studs: no more reason needed to run sheets horizontally the whole length of a room, or if length is greater than your sheets’ length, then have **** joints close to ends and therefore less noticeable.
Not a pro, but firmly believe we should consider why pros do things.

 

[cosmokenney]

Not sure I would put this inside the interior of a house. But for a garage/outbuilding this stuff looks pretty great: