Plasterboarding - across or along joists?

Question

Checked the Wiki and a few Googles but there doesn't seem to be an obvious answer.

When plasterboarding, you can have the long edge across the joists or parallel to the joists assuming that your joiust spacing allows this.

Which is the usual way to lay the plasterboard?

400mm centres should take a 1200mm wide board O.K. assuming the joists are reasonably parallel but there is a lot less wiggle room than if you are going across.

Reason I ask is that the board layout seems easier front to back, roughly

1.5 boards per 3 joists, with easier fitting around wall pillars etc. However a wandering joist could cause problems.

Cheers

Dave R

sm_jamieson · Accepted Answer

I dont think it matters, whichever is better for the cutting. But its best to stagger the joints, like bricks are layed in a wall, since this avoid any cracks at the board joints form propagating across the whole ceiling. If you do get a wonky joist messing things up, you always screw another joist or a batten alongside to give a fixing point. Simon.

John Rumm · Answer

There are no hard and fast rules here. Landscape and staggered adds more strength to the wall generally, portrait is sometimes easier if the room height is conducive.

pcb1962 · Answer

I've always done long side perpendicular to the joists, starting eachrow from the opposite side of the room, ie a full board next to thecut board you've just finished the previous row with.

Weatherlawyer · Answer

There are no right and wrong ways. You just follow the best fit scheme. If the joins run along the line of light, you'll see less stepping if there is any. Not that the plastering wouldn't hide it afterwards anyway. Hopefully.

If there is a danger to the above floors from fire then in double boarding, you'd put them one way then the other to cover as many joints as possible.

Plasterboarding - across or along joists?

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