Before you install ceiling material, whether it is decorative paneling or drywall, it is important to consider which way the material will be installed -- horizontally or vertically. With drywall, the direction you choose will affect the installation process. For wood paneling or ceiling tiles that are not squared, the direction they run will have an effect on the visual dimension of the room, making it appear either wider or longer.
Instructions
1. Measure the length and width of the room. If you have a very narrow room, installing decorative paneling horizontally will make the room appear wider than it actually is. Likewise, if the room is wider than it is long, vertical paneling will make the room appear longer than it is.
2. Consider the shape of the ceiling. If your room is not a square or a rectangle, but is an "L" shape, hang the drywall horizontally to reduce the amount of seams and the amount of trimming you will have to do.
3. Check the ceiling joists for levelness. In newer homes, this is typically not a problem. In older homes however, joists are rarely perfectly level. If you hang drywall over unlevel joists vertically, this can create what is known as a "wave" pattern. Hanging the drywall horizontally will reduce this effect.
4. Consider the area of the ceiling. Drywall panels are typically sold in 4-by-8 foot sheets. Although you can special-order them in 10- or 12-foot lengths, most stores are going to stock the standard 8-foot length. If you have a ceiling that is less than 8 feet wide, hang the drywall horizontally. This will reduce the amount of seams that you to tape. If the ceiling is wider than 8 feet, install the drywall vertically.
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