Which is better? I notice that many of the drywallers in these "house flip"shows use the horizontal method-is it faster?
I prefer horizontal. You can buy drywall in lengths up to 16 feet and cut to match the wall to make one seam per wall horizontal at a handy 48" working height.
I do whichever way looks like it’ll end up with the least taping. Default for me is horizontal. Similar reason as Emtar
I have a friend who is a drywaller. Horizontal is the way to go. It not only results in fewer seams, but he swears a horizontal seam is less likely to be noticed than a vertical seam.
I’ve always done horizontal and all the carpenters I ever knew did, also. Part of it is the seams, which are easier to tape/mud at 48", but also standard room height is 8 feet, which happens to be the size of 2 standard sheets butted lengthwise. If you’re using any ceiling molding, there won’t be a high tape joint. Another point in its favor is getting that bottom row fairly level; it’s more accurate and easier to level an 8’ length than a 4’ length.
I am most definitely not a builder, but when I drywalled years ago in the Midwest, we put up 4x8’ sheets vertically, as it looked easier and logical. Then I moved to California, the shaky side of the nation, and was told that horizontal, with offset placement, was the way to go to assist in the rigidity of the structure.
Not that it matters anymore. I hate drywall, and much prefer wood interiors for appearance. Drywall’s for cheap construction or where you don’t care.
Sheet goods are not cheap, regardless of what they’re made from. Wood is fine if you don’t want to paint your walls; otherwise, what’s the point of putting it up? Drywall can accept many finishes. I prefer a flat finish, but most houses have an orange peel or heavy knockdown finish that covers up any oopsies, which I don’t like but am presently stuck with.
Drywall can save your life in a fire by limiting its spread. Drywall is often used as a firewall when doubled up (thickness) in wood framed multi-unit buildings.
And it might work for extra insulation, too, but if it’s under something else, you won’t see it, and that’s what I prefer.
I had the few drywalls in my house replaced with real wood over time just for appearance sake. The only walls not replaced are ones I hope to knock down to expand in to new construction or cover with built-in bookcases someday.