It's not necessary to stagger seams on ceiling drywall. However, because these joints are relatively difficult to finish—and tend to be noticeable in the finished product—it's a good idea to stagger the drywall panels to make the joints less visible.

What happens if you dont stagger drywall?

Time – It takes longer to stagger sheetrock than to align panels in parallel. ... The wall length and ceiling area must be calculated, and staggering or not staggering the sheetrock may impact how many panels are needed to complete the job. Purpose – The type of finished job should be considered when hanging sheetrock.

Does drywall have to line up perfectly?

Hanging Drywall Vertically: Leave a 1/8-in.

There's no reason to measure and cut drywall for an exact fit. It'll usually just cause trouble. Jamming in a piece that's too tight will crumble the edge or break out a corner (left).