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 is the most common thickness of drywall?
- 1/4-inch (6.35mm)
- 3/8-inch (9.52mm)
- 1/2-inch (12.7mm)
- 5/8-inch (15.9mm)
What is the least thick drywall?
Most building codes mandate either 1/2 or 5/8 inch drywall for single-thickness applications. Thinner ¼ and 3/8 inch to be used to cover existing walls and ceilings. All this is further explained here. Keeping this in view, what thickness drywall should I use?
What are the sizes of drywall?
On the basis of applications, the Drywall Textures market from 2015 to 2025 covers:
- Walls
- Ceilings
- Others
How thick is ceiling drywall?
Importance of Installing Panels with the Right Thickness
- Soundproofing. In a busy and noisy environment, the right choice of drywall thickness (5/8 inch) forms a barrier that helps cushion the walls, thus blocking the sound pollution coming from ...
- Fire resistance. ...
- Variety of choice for the end product. ...
- Easy repair. ...
Is all drywall the same thickness?
However, other types of drywall come in different thicknesses; the most common are 1/4 inch, 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch and 5/8 inch. 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.
Does the thickness of drywall matter?
Drywall Thickness. Choosing the correct thickness is one of the most important factors to consider before purchasing drywall sheets. Certain panels are light and flexible but more prone to break, while thicker panels are needed for walls and ceilings.
How do I choose drywall thickness?
Choosing a Drywall Thickness1/4-Inch Drywall: The thinnest of all the options, 1/4-inch drywall is most commonly used as a skimming material. ... 3/8-Inch Drywall: Just slightly thicker than 1/4-inch drywall, 3/8-inch drywall is also a good choice for curved walls. ... 1/2-Inch Drywall: ... 5/8-Inch Drywall:
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 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.
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.
What is 5/8 drywall?
Ideal for use in walls, ceilings, garages, and basements, 5/8 inch drywall has added fiber that gives it extra strength for ceilings (to avoid bending or sagging), helps it resist fire, and makes it effective for soundproofing. Unlike 1/2 inch drywall, 5/8 inch drywall can be installed in just a single layer and already provide adequate fire resistance and sound deadening properties. Additionally, the added thickness of ⅝ inch drywall makes it stiffer, less prone to denting, and capable of hiding frame imperfections. However, because it is heavier and costs a bit more, 5/8 inch is more often used when state or building code requires it for fire suppression purposes. Otherwise, you can still make do with 1/2 inch drywall, even for ceilings.
Is 3/8 inch drywall the same as 1/2 inch?
Because it’s not as popular, the price for 3/8 inch is generally the same as 1/2 inch; the only reason to use it is for weight reduction.
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.
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, ...
