Drywall has different sheet sizes for different products, along with different thicknesses. For a patch or remodel-type project, getting the proper size drywall is crucial.
The thicker the drywall, the stronger it is. This is especially important in horizontal applications like ceilings. Drywall that is too thin can sag overtime and give your project an unappealing look.
We’ve put together a listing of all drywall sizes, thicknesses and weights available for common drywall types. Check the drywall sizes and thickness chart for information on the kinds of drywall products you may need.
Residential Drywall Sizes
Since drywall is manufactured on continuous feed lines, there is no limit to the lengths for drywall. But there are practical limitations and it is cut to length after toward the end of the line.
Whether you need your drywall to be twenty feet long or shorter, drywall can be special ordered.
The only downside to this is that you have to buy one or more semi loads in order to get specially cut, which is not practical for a homeowner who is looking to repair a bathroom wall.
Why The Size of Your Drywall Matters
Getting the right size drywall sheet will help minimize joints and make your next project easier. With larger sheets of drywall, handling it can become a problem.
The two main issues are:
- Physically being able to lift and install it yourself
- Getting it into the right spot you need. Getting drywall around corners or up and down stairs without help can post problems.
Determining Existing Drywall Thickness
To determine the thickness of damaged drywall that you plan to replace, start by cutting a hole and using a tape measure to determine its thickness.
Be sure to use extra care when checking the thickness of drywall on a ceiling or inside a garage, where thicker drywall is usually placed. Plaster walls can also cause an issue with thickness.
Walls in your home that have rock lath and plaster on them is a type of drywall that is ⅜” thick, leaving you with material that is thicker than most standard issued drywall.
Drywall Sizes
- ¼” Drywall – This the thinnest drywall on the market and is not recommended for use by itself. It is too weak to provide much support other than going over other surfaces. An easy way to solve a drywall repair problem is by laminating a new piece of ¼” drywall over damaged areas.
- ⅜” Drywall – ⅜” drywall used to be the standard thickness, but now it is mostly used where the particular thickness is needed on a project. the standard thickness. It can also be used like ¼” drywall as a laminate over existing damaged to walls and ceilings. It is also lighter in weight compared to ½” inch and ⅝” inch drywall. Due to its thickness, it’s not recommended to be used on ceilings.
- ½” Cement Board – Cement board thickness will usually match the thickness of drywall.
- ⅝” Drywall – Drywall of this thickness will usually be made in a fire resistant form since it is mostly used on ceilings and in garages. The extra fiber makes it more resistant to fires and stronger for ceilings. Proportionally, it is heavier than ½” drywall.
- ⅝” Cement Board – This thickness of cement board is mostly used in commercial buildings, not residential homes.
Different Types of Drywall
Each type of drywall is used for different purposes and it is possible for you to have up to four or more types of drywall installed in your home, depending on the location.
- Regular Drywall – Regular drywall is by far the most common type of drywall that you will use inside your home, especially on the walls and ceilings. It is also the easiest drywall to cut.
- Firecode Drywall – This drywall is thicker than the half-inch material due to its heavier fibrous core that makes it resistant to heat and provides fire protection. It is also harder to cut.
- Moisture Resistant Drywall – Sometimes called “green board” (though drywall comes in other colors now), this drywall is used for areas like bathrooms where the humidity is higher.
- Glass Mat Drywall – With the prevalence of mold issues, glass mat drywall is a variation of moisture resistant drywall and was developed to eliminate mold growth. Instead of being made of paper, the facing is instead made of fiberglass, which mold cannot grow on since there is no organic material present. This drywall is often found in new homes.
- Cement Board – Since cement board is not made with gypsum, technically it’s not considered drywall. It’s made by sandwiching a special cement core between two layers of fiberglass mat, making it the hardest of all to cut. This is mostly used behind ceramic tile and marble for high moisture areas.
All of the different types of drywall listed above may be found in your home, upwards to four or more different types. It really just depends on where they’re being placed.
When doing a repair in your home, make sure that you are sing the right thickness and type that you need.
Call an Experienced Drywall Company
Now that you know all of the drywall sizes available, you will be ready for your next drywall repair project.
Bill’s Drywall contractors are proud to offer a wide range of drywall services for residential property. Call 866-228-5321 to request an estimate.
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