Hello,
I know this has been asked a million times, and I have read a million articles on hanging drywall, but I cannot get the answer I am looking for.
Everywhere I look it says to do top down because then the gap is left at the bottom and will be covered by floor trim. So then, using the same logic, wouldn't crown molding cover the gap at the top? Obviously it's less work to hang from the bottom up, and it's only me and my wife doing the work. So if anyone could explain to me why I should not be doing it this way, I would seriously appreciate it!
Thanks in advance!
Steve

 

Well...the Pros will probably have a better answer...I've only done much full size sheetrock a few times.

First...would you rather lift heavy stuff when you are fresh..or after you've already been carrying and working with full sheets for a few hours.

Second (and probably more important)...you want the ceiling to wall joint as tight as possible, since rarely does every room have crown. You also want the wall to support the ceiling 'rock.

Third...what if you somehow mess up installing the bottom course? Now you have a 1" (or whatever) gap at the top.

Fourth... say your ceiling height is off a bit or the floor has been raised over the years and you need to trim the length of a sheet to make it fit? Do you want that cut edge in the middle or top of your wall or at the bottom where it doesn't need to butt up to anything?

Those are what come to mind....

 

I also find it easier to hold the bottom of the sheet up to the ceiling without a sheet below it. Less of a chance of pinching your hands. Also the sheet could slip off the 1/2" lip of the of the lower sheet.

 

Basically, Vic's second answer was closest. You put the top piece in first to give you a perfectly straight line against your ceiling panels. Put the bottom one on last. It may leave a small gap at the bottom, but you will have molding, carpet, etc. to cover the gap.
Too, if your room is shorter than 8', your bottom piece will be cut, and that cut will be hidden.

 

To elaborate on a point Vic made, the rock on the walls supports the edge of the rock on the ceiling, so you want it up there tight.

 

I was always under the impression it was bottom to top. With the bottom sheet in place, you can place your next one on top and will not have to hold it up, simply in place while screwing it in place.
This might be the better way for new construction where your ceiling will be going in after the walls. As a person that tends to do most of his work solo, this would be the method I would prefer. That being said, I'm not a pro, so the way I work may not be the best way.

 

Mike...
The ceilings should never go up after the walls. Unless it's a drop ceiling maybe.

I knew a guy that did his own sheetrock on an addition to save himself money...and he screwed a 2x2 cleat on the wall he was working on to hold the upper sheet. Then he just unscrewed it after the sheet was in place. A little extra time involved but he never dropped one.

 

Yeah, ceiling first if it's drywall - you want the pieces on the wall to help support the edge of the ceiling pieces.

 

Just don't do like the guy in one of the magazines....used an 8' ladder to install his ceiling sheetrock as a "helper" while he screwed the other end. Got all the sheetrock up and the ladder was captive . Had to remove one sheet to get his ladder out.