QA

What Size Drywall For Ceiling

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.

Do ceilings have to be 5/8 drywall?

5/8″ Type X is most commonly used for ceilings due not only for its rigidity (no sagging), but also its fire-resistance and acoustical blocking. You’ll certainly want to use at least 2-inch drywall screws to hang it. Not sure adhesive is necessary or recommended unless you are covering existing drywall.

Can you use 3/8 drywall ceiling?

Joe, yes you can use 3/8-inch drywall on ceilings like this. It’s the BIBLE of everything drywall and plaster. In this great book you’ll find the minimum recommendations for installing 3/8-inch drywall, including fasteners, spacing, etc.

Is lightweight drywall good for ceilings?

There is no appreciable design advantage for ultralight drywall over standard drywall. This is a material that can be used for all wall and ceiling finish surfaces in any residential application.

Can you use 1/2 inch drywall ceiling?

1/2-Inch-Thick Drywall Half-inch drywall panels are the standard thickness for interior walls, as well as ceilings. These panels are easy to carry and hang.

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%.

Should you stagger ceiling drywall?

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.

Where can I use 1/4 inch drywall?

Quarter-inch drywall is often used to cover damaged plaster walls and also for curved areas because it bends easier than thicker drywall. Then the 1/4-inch-thick drywall can be double layered to get to the conventional 1/2 inch thickness to match the rest of the wall.

How thick should drywall be?

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 is code for hanging drywall?

Both the International Residential Code (IRC) and USG, the manufacturer of Sheetrock, note that the recommended maximum field screw spacing for wall drywall is 16 inches. Some builders like to space fasteners tighter than that, so they go down to 12 inches.

How long should drywall screws be for ceiling?

Screws that measure 1-1/4 inch in length are appropriate for sheets of drywall that are 3/8, 1/2 or 5/8 of an inch thick, while screws that measure 1-3/8 inches are meant for sheets of drywall up to ¾ of an inch thick.

How many layers of drywall do I need for 1 hour fire rating?

Double the number of Type X sheets on the wall for a simple system installed over fire-resistant fiberglass insulation; each sheet of 5/8-inch Type X drywall is rated to resist fire for one hour, so two layers will produce a two-hour firewall. Put two sheets together on one side or use one sheet on each side of a wall.

How much does a 12 foot sheet of 1/2 inch drywall weigh?

One-half-inch board weighs 54.4, 68 or 81.6 pounds for sheets of eight, 10 or 12 feet. Boards 5/8 inch thick weigh 73.6, 92 or 110.4 pounds per eight, 10 or 12 feet.

What size screw should I use for 1/2 drywall?

Choosing the right drywall screw Most common — 1-1/4”: Use 1-1/4” drywall screws to secure 1/2″ drywall installed on wood-stud walls. These coarse-thread screws typically feature phosphate coatings, which better protect against rust compared to zinc coatings.

Should I Sheetrock the ceiling or walls first?

Hang drywall on the ceiling first, then the walls. Check the ceiling for bowed joists using a 4-ft. level.

How far can you SPAN 1/2 drywall on ceiling?

What is the maximum joist spacing for ceiling drywall? Does it matter if the panels are oriented parallel or perpendicular to the joists? 1/2- or 5/8-inch drywall is 24 inches on-center. Ceiling drywall should always be installed perpendicular to the joists, even when they are 16 inches on-center.

Is there such a thing as 3/4 drywall?

3/4-inch drywall can also be used to patch or fix patches of drywall where the plaster has worn off or been removed. This drywall thickness is available in a variety of panel lengths. It is often used for walls and ceilings, and are considered a standard type of drywall for most residential spaces.

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 drywall supposed to touch the floor?

Drywall should never touch the floor. Allow for a 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) space between your new wall and your old flooring, so there is room for expansion of both materials without cracking the drywall.

Why do you hang drywall from the top down?

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!).

How far apart should Sheetrock screws be?

Space screws a maximum of 12″ apart on ceilings, 16″ on walls and at least 3/8″ from ends and edges of panels.