Is all drywall the same?

Category: home and garden indoor environmental quality
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Drywall comes in sheets. While the most common size is 4 x 8 feet, you can purchase much larger lengths. 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.



Consequently, what are the different types of drywall?

7 Drywall Types, Applications, and Uses

  • Green Board Drywall. Green board drywall, also known as moisture-resistant drywall, has a green covering that makes it more resistant to moisture than regular drywall.
  • Blue Board Drywall.
  • Paperless Drywall.
  • Purple Drywall.
  • Type X Drywall.
  • Soundproof Drywall.

Secondly, is there a difference between sheetrock and drywall? Drywall is a panel made of gypsum plaster pressed between two thick sheets of paper. It is used to make interior walls and ceilings. Sheetrock is a trademark for drywall made by the US Gypsum company.

Also Know, what thickness drywall should I use?

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 can I use instead of drywall?

Consider the options below for alternatives to drywall that looks good and holds up better.

  • Wood Planks.
  • Plastic Panels.
  • Plywood.
  • Veneer Plaster.
  • Pegboard.
  • Lath and Plaster.
  • Wahoo Walls.
  • Textured Wall Panels.

39 Related Question Answers Found

Is Blue drywall waterproof?

Blueboards are made of gypsum and do not have any moisture-resistant paper covering; this makes them neither waterproof nor water resistant.

How much is a sheet of drywall?

The cost to install drywall is about $1.50 per square foot.
After material and labor are added in, the cost per panel can range from around $40.00 to $60.00. A typical 12x12 room, for example, will use 12 panels.

Do they make 1/4 inch drywall?

1/4-inch: Not a common thickness, 1/4-inch-thick drywall is used as a skimming (or double-wall) material for placing over an existing surface. 1/2-inch: Half-inch drywall panels are the standard thickness for interior walls, as well as ceilings.

How can you tell how old a drywall is?

Usually the year the house was built is a good way to start, but if the drywall was added as a renovation, the date stamp is on the back side of the sheets. If you can get access, say in an attic space and move insulation if needed will get you there.

What is waterproof drywall called?


Greenboard is a term that's occasionally used for a type of drywall that is used for walls in damp areas. Originally, greenboard was used as a direct backer board for ceramic tile in highly wet areas such as showers or bathtubs but this usage began to be phased out in the 1990s.

How much weight can drywall hold?

How much weight can drywall hold without anchors? This can be 5 to 10 pounds, but keep in mind that the drywall is an extremely brittle material and, it is not strong enough to hold the weight for a longer period of time.

Do it yourself repair drywall?

drywall panels
  1. Step 1: Outline the Damaged Area with a Carpenter's Square.
  2. Step 2: Cut the Sides with a Keyhole Saw or Utility Knife.
  3. Step 3: Cut the Support and Install in the Wall.
  4. Step 4: Cut the Drywall Patch to Size.
  5. Step 5: Install the Drywall Patch with Drywall Screws.
  6. Step 6: Complete the Drywall Patch.

What is the most common drywall thickness?

Standard Walls
The most common thickness of drywall used in residential interior construction is 1/2 inch. This material is recommended for walls with studs placed 16 inches on center. If the wall studs are placed 24 inches on center, a 5/8-inch drywall is recommended.

What is code for drywall on ceilings?

When applying a water-based texture material, the minimum gypsum board thickness shall be increased from 3/8 inch to 1/2 inch for 16-inch on center framing, and from 1/2 inch to 5/8 inch for 24-inch on center framing or 1/2-inch sag-resistant gypsum ceiling board shall be used. e.

How long should drywall screws be?


When installing 1/2 inch drywall, nails or screws should be at least 1 1/4 inches long and nails should be of a ring shank variety to provide better security and reduce the chances of “popping”. 3/4 inch drywall necessitates a slightly longer 1 1/2 inch nail or 1 3/8 inch screw.

Is mold resistant drywall worth it?

In brief, mold-resistant drywall still can grow mold, and with surprising vigor. However, it does have less of a propensity towards mold growth than traditional paper-covered drywall. Mold resistant drywall is more expensive than paper-faced drywall, but not vastly so.

How many screws go into a sheet of drywall?

Drywall screws per sheet. Drywall screws should be installed every 12 inches. This means that when using 48 inch wide sheets, you will have 5 screws in each stud when the sheets are hung perpendicular to the framing; two on the edges and 3 in the field.

What is the best drywall to use in a bathroom?

Use in high water areas like bathroom and kitchens. Mold-resistant board options include USG (MoldTough), National Gypsum (XP) and American Gypsum (M-Bloc).

Do I need green board in the bathroom?

Green board is water resistant – it is not water-proof. Green board is highly efficient in bathrooms and kitchens where moisture is frequently in the air, but it is not the drywall that should be set behind tile in your shower or any other areas where it can come in direct contact with water.

Can I use regular drywall in my bathroom?


You can hang drywall in the bathroom but not the same type that you hang in the rest of the house. Bathroom drywall must be moisture-resistant, and it's colored green to distinguish it from the regular variety. It isn't appropriate for areas that actually get wet, however, such as shower and tub surrounds.

Does Lowes cut drywall to size?

Yes, they will cut it for you and help you load it into your vehicle. You do need to realize that Home Depot will not take responsibility for accurate cutting or any breakage in the sheetrock, so you may need to buy an extra sheet to allow for damage in transit or whatever else might happen.

Can you use plywood instead of drywall?

Plywood is a viable alternative to drywall for walls and ceilings. If you are planning on redoing your walls or ceilings, the typical materials you'll use include Sheetrock or finished plywood. Each has its benefits as a building material and in some cases, finished plywood is the better alternative.