QA

Quick Answer: What Is Standard Drywall Thickness

Most drywall measures 1/2-inch thick. It’s the most common choice for interior walls because they are easy to carry and hang. If weight is a concern, consider ultra-light half-inch drywall.

What thickness drywall should I use?

The most common thicknesses for general application are 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch. However, several decades ago, 1/2 inch became the industry standard. Quarter-inch drywall is often used to cover damaged plaster walls and also for curved areas because it bends easier than thicker drywall.

Can you use 3/8 drywall ceiling?

Yes, you can use a 3/8″ drywall for a ceiling. To prevent sagging ensure ceiling frames supporting the drywall are 16″ apart. Do not apply water-based texture and do not support insulation with it.

What drywall should I use?

1/2-inch drywall is the most versatile board and common thickness for the 16-inch on-center interior walls in most homes. It offers a good balance between strength and weight. 5/8-inch drywall is a heavier product that resists sagging in ceilings and in 24-inch on-center walls.

Is sheetrock better than drywall?

Drywall and sheetrock are really the same thing. Sheetrock is a brand of drywall patented by the US Gypsum Company. Both are used to make walls and ceilings. Aside from a few chemicals that allow the sheetrock formula to be patented, there is really no practical difference between drywall and sheetrock whatsoever.

What thickness drywall is used on ceilings?

5/8-Inch-Thick Drywall When installed on ceilings, 5/8-inch-thick panels are less susceptible to sagging between the joists than 1/2-inch panels. Adding popcorn texture or another type of heavy surfacing material can add to the weight problem, making 5/8-inch drywall a better choice for ceilings.

What kind of drywall do you use in a garage?

Drywall is the easiest and most economical covering for your garage ceiling. Use 5/8-in. -thick drywall if your trusses or rafters are spaced 24 in.

Should I sheetrock walls or ceiling first?

When hanging drywall, always hang the ceiling first. This is the hardest drywall to hang, so get a partner and go slow. Large cracks due to misaligned sheets are hard to repair because the extra mud required to fill them will constantly fall out and drop to the floor (or worse, down the back of your neck!).

Does the whole bathroom need green board?

Green boards are often required by local building codes to be used as a backing for tiles and wall panels in areas that are exposed to moisture; this includes bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchens. However, they are not allowed for use in parts of the home that have excess humidity, like near indoor pools.

How thick should a ceiling be?

The floor of one level of a home shares framing with the ceiling of the level below it. In a typical home, the entire structure between levels can be about 12 to 14 inches thick, depending on the type of joists used and the finish materials for the floor and ceiling.

Is it better to hang drywall vertical or horizontal?

On commercial jobs, fire codes often require seams to fall on the entire length of the framing, so the drywall must be hung vertically. For walls 9 feet high or shorter, hanging the drywall horizontally has a number of benefits. Fewer seams. Horizontal hanging reduces the lineal footage of seams by about 25%.

How much does a 4×8 sheet of drywall cost?

The average price for drywall and sheetrock is $15 per 4′ x 8′ panel, with a typical range of $12 to $20 per panel. This translates into a cost of $0.40 to $0.65 per square foot.

Is there a difference between ceiling drywall and regular drywall?

It’s thicker than most standard drywall sheets and often has two gypsum layers that are glued together with a special noise-dampening adhesive. Helps prevent noise from traveling between walls and ceilings. Note that two sheets of drywall will be thicker and take up more space than a single sheet of soundproof drywall.

Why is drywall so expensive?

There are a bunch of reasons drywall prices can rise. As with most commodities, increased demand or decreased supply can have an affect on drywall board prices. You don’t want to set up your construction loan and then find out prices have skyrocketed for the building materials.

What is the life expectancy of drywall?

Plaster and/or drywall walls and ceilings have an expected life span as long as 70 years but as short as 30 years. Water leaking in from the roof or exterior walls can greatly reduce the life of plaster and drywall and cause cracks and defects.

When should you use 5/8 drywall?

The thickest option available, 5/8-inch drywall is ideal for commercial construction applications. 5/8-inch thick drywall is also referred to as firewall drywall. Its thickness makes it the ideal drywall for soundproofing in noisy buildings. 5/8-inch drywall can be used on walls, and will not sag when used on ceilings.

Can you put Sheetrock over Sheetrock?

Studs. Hanging new drywall over existing walls is very similar to hanging drywall in a new construction setting. This process is relatively simple with walls that are paneled because you can actually see the original nail holes with the naked eye. Just follow the holes to the ceiling and make a mark.

What kind of drywall do you use for a bathroom ceiling?

Conventional drywall is commonly used for ceilings in non-shower/tub areas of bathrooms, although some builders prefer to use moisture-resistant drywall — aka greenboard — instead. Moisture-resistant drywall is similar to standard drywall but has face paper that’s treated for extra resistance to mold and moisture.

Can you drywall an unheated garage?

Can you drywall an unheated garage? Yes. The biggest thing to worry about is moisture, not heat. A climate controlled garage helps to minimize the risk of mold and rot, but you can still add drywall and add heating or air conditioning later, if necessary.

Do I need mold resistant drywall in garage?

Do I need mold resistant drywall in my garage? Moisture resistant drywall is always preferable in garages. While standard or traditional types of drywall is good to be used inside the home since it is thick enough, your garage will require something that is more water-resistant and that is mold-resistant drywall.

What is purple drywall?

National Gypsum has developed Purple drywall that is moisture, mold, and mildew resistant. This means less water and mold damage in homes keeping construction debris from landfills. In addition, within the line of Purple drywall products, are sheets that stand up to abuse and impact.