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Choosing the Right Drywall Type and Thickness

Posted by: User Avatar DIYDave October 26, 2023, 10:35 AM 1582 Views 27 Replies

Hey everyone!

I'm starting a renovation project and need to replace some drywall in a few different areas of my house. I'm a bit overwhelmed by the variety of drywall options available, and I want to make sure I choose the best type and thickness for each situation to avoid future headaches. I've seen terms like "standard," "moisture-resistant," "fire-resistant," and different thicknesses like 1/2" and 5/8".

Here's what I'm looking to do:

  • Living Room/Bedrooms: Standard walls and ceilings.
  • Bathroom: Walls around the shower/tub area and general walls.
  • Garage: Walls and ceiling.
  • Hallway: Section that shares a wall with a utility room.

What are the pros and cons of different drywall types? What thickness should I be using for each of these areas? Are there any specific brands or features I should look for?

Any advice or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated!

Specific Considerations:

For the bathroom, I'm particularly concerned about moisture and potential mold growth. For the garage and the hallway wall next to the utility room, I'm thinking about soundproofing and fire resistance.

I've also heard about different core materials and paper facings – does that make a big difference for typical DIY use?

Replies (27)

Posted by: User Avatar ProBuilder October 26, 2023, 11:15 AM

Great question, DIYDave! Choosing the right drywall is crucial for a good finish and long-term performance. Here's a breakdown:

Drywall Types:

  • Standard Drywall (Regular Gypsum Board): This is your go-to for most interior walls and ceilings in dry areas. It's cost-effective and easy to work with. Usually 1/2" thick for walls and 1/2" or 5/8" for ceilings.
  • Moisture-Resistant Drywall (Green Board): Features a moisture-resistant paper facing and core. Excellent for bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and other areas prone to humidity. Often specified as 1/2" thick for walls.
  • Mold-Resistant Drywall (Blue Board / Paperless): Even better than green board for bathrooms and high-moisture areas. The paperless versions have a fiberglass mat facing that's highly resistant to mold. Blue board has a special paper facing that is excellent for finishes.
  • Fire-Resistant Drywall (Type X / Type C): Contains additives (like glass fibers) to increase its fire resistance. Typically 5/8" thick and often required by code for garages, multi-family dwellings, and walls separating living areas from attached garages. Type C offers enhanced fire resistance.
  • Sound-Dampening Drywall: Made with a viscoelastic polymer core to reduce sound transmission. Great for bedrooms, offices, or walls separating noisy areas.

Thickness Guide:

  • 1/2 inch: Standard for most walls and ceilings. It's lighter and easier to handle.
  • 5/8 inch (Regular or Type X): Recommended for ceilings to reduce sag, and essential for fire-rated walls (like the one between your garage and living space). It also offers better sound dampening than 1/2 inch.

Recommendations for your project:

  • Living Room/Bedrooms: 1/2" Standard Drywall.
  • Bathroom: 1/2" Moisture-Resistant (Green Board) or Mold-Resistant (Paperless). Use 5/8" if you want extra rigidity or sound dampening.
  • Garage: 5/8" Fire-Resistant (Type X) is highly recommended, especially for the wall shared with the house, for code compliance and safety. For other garage walls/ceiling, 1/2" standard can suffice, but 5/8" adds durability.
  • Hallway (near utility room): 5/8" Fire-Resistant (Type X) is a good choice for fire safety and sound deadening.

For brands, Sheetrock (USG), CertainTeed, and National Gypsum are all reputable. Look for the specific type you need clearly marked on the board.

Don't forget to use the correct screws (drywall screws) and joint compound!

Posted by: User Avatar DIYExpert October 26, 2023, 11:40 AM

ProBuilder has covered the main points very well! I'll just add a couple of notes:

Paperless Drywall: Definitely go for paperless mold-resistant for the bathroom. It's a game-changer in terms of preventing mold issues down the line, and it's often easier to cut than traditional paper-faced boards.

Sound Dampening: If sound transmission is a significant concern for the hallway, consider not just the drywall type but also adding insulation (like fiberglass or mineral wool) in the wall cavity. You can also use resilient channels when installing the drywall on the ceiling to further decouple it and reduce sound transfer.

Edge Types: Most drywall comes with tapered edges for easy finishing. For areas where you might want a very flat, smooth finish, pay attention to the edge profile.

Good luck with the project!

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