Guide to Standard Drywall Sizes and Thicknesses
- Drywall Thickness. Drywall comes in 3/8″, 1/2″ and 5/8″ thicknesses or in metric 6, 9.5, or 12.7mm. ...
- Drywall Sizes. The length and width of drywall sheets usually come in 4x. ...
- Alternatives to Drywall Sizes. When your wall panels come in lengths and widths instead of four feet multiples, then those are not drywall panels.
- Types of Drywall. ...
What thickness of drywall should I use on the ceiling?
- 1/4-inch (6.35mm)
- 3/8-inch (9.52mm)
- 1/2-inch (12.7mm)
- 5/8-inch (15.9mm)
What is the wall thickness of 10 standard wall?
The thickness of interior walls is dictated by stud width and wall covering. Standard 2-by-4 studs are 3 1/2 inches wide and drywall is 1/2 inch thick, so interior walls are usually 4 1/2 inches thick. Exterior wall thickness depends on siding material. The recommended maximum is 12 inches.
What is a minimum thickness for a residential slab?
minimum thickness should not be less than 4.75 inches not forgetting factor of safety. Standard concrete floor slab thickness is residential construction is 4 inches, five to six inches is recommended if the concrete will receive occasional heavy load, such as mortar homes or garbage trucks.
What is the standard wall thickness in a residential home?
on Standard Wall Thickness in a Residential Home. The typical interior wall thickness in newer construction uses 2-by-4 studs and half-inch drywall is 4.5 inches. 2-by-6 studs are typically used in walls that contain plumbing, making those walls 6.5 inches. Exterior wall thickness varies, depending on the exterior finish, siding and brick facing.
What thickness drywall should I use?
1/2-inch drywall is the most versatile board and the most 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 interior walls.
What is the standard drywall thickness for ceilings?
1/2-Inch-1/2-Inch-Thick Drywall Half-inch drywall panels are the standard thickness for interior walls, as well as ceilings.
What is the most common size of 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.
Why does drywall come in 2 packs?
They Come in Pairs: Drywall sheets are packed in pairs for shipping. The good sides are facing each other so that there will be no damage because each nick requires finishing later on. Two people will have to carry 140 pounds down to the basement or separate them beforehand.
What's the difference in sheetrock and drywall?
Drywall is a flat panel made of gypsum plaster sandwiched in between two sheets of thick paper. It adheres to metal or wood studs using nails or screws. Sheetrock is a specific brand of drywall sheet. These terms are often used interchangeably.
How many screws go into a sheet of drywall?
How Many Screws Per Sheet of Drywall. Use about 32 drywall screws per sheet of 4-foot by 8-foot drywall installed horizontally on a wall. This total is comprised of four screws on the five middle studs and six screws on each of the two sides.
What size screws 1/2 inch drywall?
When working with 1/2-inch drywall panels, use 1-1/4 or 1-3/8-inch nails or screws. When working with 5/8-inch drywall panels, use 1-3/8-inch or 1-5/8-inch screws. To properly secure drywall, the right number of drywall fasteners should be used.
What number are drywall screws?
Nearly all drywall screws available are #6, the measure of the diameter of their threaded area, but their length varies depending on how you plan to use them. Most common — 1-1/4”: Use 1-1/4” drywall screws to secure 1/2″ drywall installed on wood-stud walls.
Why use thin drywall?
Thin drywall can be used because the original material provides a structural backing. Advertisement. references.
What is fire resistant drywall?
This material is often used between units in an apartment building or around furnace or utility rooms in a home. The 5/8-inch-thick panels of drywall have a fire resistance rating of 60 minutes, compared to standard drywall panels' rating of 30 minutes. Check local building codes for the materials approved for your area.
Is drywall a do it yourself project?
Drywall that's thicker or thinner than standard drywall can be used in special situations around the home. Installing drywall can be a do-it-yourself project with the proper equipment and materials.
Different Drywall Thicknesses Explained
Just like length and width, drywall is sold in standardized thicknesses. Different thicknesses of drywall are better suited to different applications (such as walls versus ceilings). Building code also sometimes requires certain thicknesses.
Pros and Cons of Thicker Drywall
Here are the pros and cons of using thicker drywall (5/8-inch over the standard 1/2-inch) for your next project:
Pros and Cons of Thinner Drywall
Here are the pros and cons of using thinner drywall (1/4-inch or 3/8-inch rather than the standard 1/2-inch) for your next project:
How to Determine Thickness of Current Drywall
Knowing the thickness of your current drywall is very important when it comes to replacing or repairing a small section.
Drywall Thickness FAQ
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about drywall thickness.
Final Thoughts on Drywall Thickness
Understanding the most common drywall thicknesses will help make your DIY project that much easier.
Drywall Thickness
Drywall comes in 3/8″, 1/2″ and 5/8″ thicknesses or in metric 6, 9.5, or 12.7mm. Standard US drywall is 1/2″ (12.7mm) thick, while the other two are called “non-standard.” Building codes also have some requirements when it comes to standard thickness. The building code dictates the thickness of each application.
Drywall Sizes
The length and width of drywall sheets usually come in 4x. The most common ones include 4-foot by 8-foot, 4-foot by 12-foot, and 4-foot by 16-foot sheets. The building codes don’t dictate the requirements for drywall sizes. The sizes are determined by the needs of the architect, builder, and client.
Alternatives to Drywall Sizes
When your wall panels come in lengths and widths instead of four feet multiples, then those are not drywall panels. They are cement board or drywall alternatives such as DRIcor Smartwall. 4-1/2-foot wide drywall sheets are not very common in the consumer market, but you can get them with special orders.
Types of Drywall
While standard drywall works well for bedrooms and living areas, there are other types of drywall for special purposes. Here are the types of drywall that you should consider on your next home project. They are excellent in humid areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
FAQS on Guide to Standard Drywall Sizes and Thicknesses
Most drywall measures 1/2-inch thickness, which is the most common for interior walls. This is because they are easy to carry and hang, unlike other types of thickness.
Final Thought on the Guide to Standard Drywall Sizes and Thicknesses
As you can see, it’s very important to be careful when choosing drywall because choosing the wrong size and thickness can break your project. You don’t want to spend a lot of money and time on your home improvement project only to end up with losses.
Drywall Sizes
Determining drywall sizes is an important thing that you need to consider before purchasing. You need to know what sizes are available so you can buy the right piece for your next home improvement project. Drywall comes in various sizes, and it is important to use the correct size when applying it to a surface.
Drywall Thicknesses
It's crucial to consider the existing drywall thickness because the thicker the drywall, the stronger it is. And this is very important, especially in horizontal applications such as ceilings.
Types of Drywall
Drywall also comes in different types, and each type has a different purpose. Here are the different types of drywall available:
FAQs on Standard Drywall Sizes and Thicknesses
Most modern homes come with 1/2 thickness drywall sheets. This is suitable for wood and steel frames.
Final Thought on Standard Drywall Sizes and Thicknesses
Now that you know different sizes, thicknesses, and types of drywall, you will get more informed on the drywall process. There are many jobs that require different types of drywall, so you should know the differences between them when people ask you.
What is half inch drywall?
Half inch thick drywall is the most popular thickness of drywall used in residential construction. Half inch thick drywall is used on most walls and even some ceilings. As long as the studs or floor joists are spaced no more than sixteen inches on center, half inch drywall provides enough rigidity to be used in most settings. Half inch drywall is less expensive than five eighths drywall and easier to handle. For this reason, it is the go to choice for residential construction.
Is quarter inch drywall flexible?
Quarter inch thick drywall is very flexible and for this reason it is sometimes used on curved walls. It is easily bent around large gradual curves but will crack if forced too much. Wetting quarter inch drywall can make it more flexible, allowing it to mold to even tighter curves. However, care is needed not to use too much water which can reduce the structural integrity of the panel.
What is the thickness of drywall?
1/2" will likely be correct most of the time. Drywall Sizes: 4' x 8', 9', 10', 12' and 14' Sheets - This thickness of drywall comes in several standard lengths. It can also be ordered in special lengths (quantity restrictions apply).
How much does a 4x8 sheet of drywall weigh?
Drywall Sizes: 4' x 8' Sheets - This type of drywall is usually only available in one size. Weight per 4' x 8' Sheet - 29.58 lb.
How many types of drywall are there in a house?
It is possible for you to have four or more types drywall in your home. The different types are used for different purposes. Wet locations like bath rooms and showers need materials that resist moisture. Garages usually need fire code drywall.
How thick is rock lath?
Another thickness issue is plaster walls. You may run into walls in your home that have rock lath and plaster on them. Rock lath is a type of drywall that is 3/8" thick. Another 3/8" to 1/2" of plaster is applied over the rock lath. This leaves you with a material that is thicker than most standard drywall.
What is 1/4" drywall?
1/4" Drywall - This the thinnest drywall you can buy. It is not a good idea to use this drywall by itself, it is too weak to provide much support. It is ideal for going over other surfaces. Laminating new 1/4" drywall over badly damaged areas can be an easy way to solve a drywall repair problem.
Is there a limit to the length of drywall?
Drywall is manufactured on continuous feed lines. It is cut to length after toward the end of the line. So in theory there is no limit to the lengths for drywall. There are however, practical limitations. Handling and weight being two important ones.
Is drywall made of gypsum?
This is not drywall at all (drywall is made of gypsum, cement board has no gypsum in it).It is made by sandwiching a special cement core between two layers of fiberglass mat. This type of drywall is used behind ceramic tile and marble for high moisture areas. This material is the hardest of all to cut.
How much does a drywall hanger weigh?
drywall thickness weights about 60 pounds. The new lightweight drywall weighs about 41 pounds. A drywall hanger can hang an average of 60 4×8 sheets a day. If the hanger is installing regular drywall, that adds up to about nine tons a week.
How long is a 5/8 panel?
Most 5/8-in. and 1/2-in. panels are available up to 16 feet long. Longer lengths help eliminate or reduce the number of butted seams, or butt joints. A butted seam is created when the ends of the panels are butted together.
What is a 4x8 panel?
There are also “special use” panels, including moisture/mold-resistant, fire-resistant, and impact or abuse-resistant.
Is 1/2 inch drywall good for 24 inch ceilings?
Because of the superior sag resistance, compared to regular 1/2-in. drywall thickness, lightweight is ideal for ceilings that have joists 24 inches on center. Regular 1/2-in. drywall has always been approved for use on 24-in. spacing on ceiling framing, but because of heavy sagging insulation, wet ceiling textures, or higher humidity, ...
