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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.
How do I know what kind of drywall to use?
Use a sheet size that minimizes the number of seams that will appear in the finished product. Drywall comes in various thicknesses, 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch being the most common. Thicker sheets are needed if nails or screws will be far apart — for example, if there is a large gap between studs or joists.
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.
What is the difference between gypsum board and sheetrock?
The difference between gypsum and drywall is that gypsum is a naturally occurring natural mineral used for construction work. At the same time, drywall is a manufactured product with gypsum as one of its raw materials. A lot of properties of the drywall are because of the gypsum plaster present in it.
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.
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.
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 drywall your garage?
Drywall your garage for the cleanest finished look. Drywall, in combination with insulation, can help to keep your garage climate-controlled all year long. Drywalling your garage is an excellent way to improve the room and make it seem more like an extension of your home.
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.
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.
What goes on top drywall?
Compound. Compound, also called spackle or mud, is an important item that goes on top of drywall. After hanging and screwing drywall to wall studs, you must apply the compound to the drywall board seams using a 4-inch-wide knife.
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.
Does 1/2 drywall have a fire rating?
The fire rating for the 1/2-inch drywall used throughout the rest of the home is 30 minutes. As added benefits, Type X absorbs sound slightly better and is slightly stronger than conventional 3/8-inch or 1/2-inch drywall.
Can I use purple drywall in shower?
Purple sheetrock is highly resistive to mold, damage, and water. It is used on the exterior of commercial buildings and many other applications such as showers.
What is Greenboard drywall?
Green board is a general term for drywall that can withstand high moisture or humidity. Although it is being phased out in modern construction, you might still come across it or need it for a project around the house. Green board is easier to install and less expensive than cement board alternatives.
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.
Can you paint drywall without mudding?
Q: Can I paint directly on drywall? A: No, after you are done hanging your drywall, you need to make sure that you mud and primer it before applying any coat of paint. To top it all off, you should paint your drywall with acrylic latex paint.
Why do they call it Sheetrock?
The name “drywall” refers to the fact that walls made of the material are installed without the use of water. A major problem with plaster had been the extremely long drying time associated with it, as it was installed wet, and installers had to wait for the previous layer to dry before installing the next one.
Should drywall touch the floor?
Always leave a 1/2-inch gap at the floor. This allows for floor and wall expansion without cracking the drywall. It also helps prevents moisture wicking if the floor floods. Wear work gloves, safety goggles and a dust mask when hanging drywall.
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.
