Drywall is a common material in most buildings. You can find it in your home, office, and any interior space that you visit. Drywall has numerous names, including gypsum wallboard, plasterboard, wallboard, and sheetrock. Despite its prevalence everywhere around you, not many people understand its importance.
Drywall material is made using gypsum covered in paper, but you will find it in nearly every building. With its many advantages, selecting the correct size of drywall is no less than an art. How? Well, the various sizes serve different purposes.
Understanding the varying sizes, thickness, and use in various projects can help you get the best results.
Here’s the Drywall Size for the Ceiling:
Experts suggest that 5/8 inch is the appropriate drywall thickness to use in ceilings since it provides the sturdiest support. Drywall ceiling with a thickness of 5/8 inch prevents sagging between ceiling joists.
Although you can find drywall in various sizes and thicknesses, a 5/8 inch thick drywall works best for ceilings. Why? This thickness level holds extra strength that is important to prevent the ceiling from sagging between joists. Simply put, thicker drywall panels offer better, sturdier support.
Thicker drywall is essential to support normal applications. But it becomes more important if you’re adding heavy textures like popcorn, etc., to your ceiling panels. These additions can further increase the weight, so you should further reinforce it.
While thick panels are most suitable for ceilings, you can also use any type of drywall for the ceiling. Typically, your options include ultra-light ¼ inch thick drywall, ½ inch thick drywall, and 3/8 inch thick drywall. However, using one of these options will require extra care during installation.
When installing thinner panels, fasten the drywall panels and studs or ceiling joists with 12-inches spacing. This will ensure that you don’t face any structural consequences anytime soon.
Does It Matter What Size You Use?
Many factors go into determining what drywall will work best for your home. These include the type, material, thickness, and size of the drywalls. All these factors greatly contribute to its functionality and efficiency.
The thickness and size are among the most important things to consider when buying drywall panels. When you get the correct size for your home, it makes the entire installation process much easier. On top of that, suitable thickness and size also help minimize the number of joints.
Furthermore, you might also want to consider the logistics of handling large drywall sheets for repair and project. For instance, it is easy to get a 12” inch drywall sheet for your home. However, the same sheet can be extremely hard to handle during installation and repair, etc. What else? A longer sheet may also be hard to get through doorways or stairs, etc.
Similarly, drywall panels are also available in varying thicknesses. Factors like the type of drywall and its application are huge determining factors for selecting a thickness.
Can You Use ½ Inch Drywall Ceiling
½ inch is the most commonly available thickness as you use it for various projects such as interior walls and even ceilings. This is the reason why they are the standard thickness for residential projects. However, it may be a little too thick for most types of curved walls.
Drywalls with a ½ inch thickness are quite easy to carry and hang. Even DIYers can install/hang their sheets without assistance. If you’re looking for an even easier to carry option, ¼ inch ultra-light drywall panels are 13 pounds lighter.
Another factor that makes these panels a good option is their cost-effectiveness. ½ inch drywall panels are practical and don’t cost as much at the same time.
You can find ½ inch drywall in a variety of panel lengths and widths, including both standard sizes and alternative, customized ones. Not to mention, ½ inch drywall panels are also incredibly easy to use with both wooden and steel frames.
Can You Use 3/8 Drywall Ceiling
Like the ½ inch drywall thickness, you can also choose a 3/8 inch thick drywall for your ceiling. However, you must ensure proper installation and appropriate fastening to joists or studs. Another thing, the spacing in between should not be less than 12 inches apart.
Besides, a 3/8 inch thick drywall is the best option for curved walls, drywall repairs, and replacing old and worn-out panels. Although these are too thick, you can still hang these drywall panels on preexisting drywall.
Do You Have to Use 5/8 Drywall on the Ceiling
The thicker a drywall panel, the stronger and sturdier it will be. This versatile drywall thickness is a great choice for ceilings for many reasons.
It is important to go for stronger materials for horizontal applications, like that in a ceiling. This is especially because thinner drywalls can sag as time passes, giving an unsightly appearance to your ambiance. Adding heavy surfacing materials such as popcorn texture, etc., can also increase the weight. And the strength of a 5/8 inch drywall can bear it quite effectively and successfully.
With that being said, you can also take advantage of the extra strength of these drywall panels for shared interior walls in most separate apartment units.
Is There a Code About Drywall Ceiling?
If you want to avoid redoing any work later, it is best to follow a drywall ceiling code. When it comes to drywall thickness, relying on the standard thickness options is a great idea.
In residential spaces, local building codes usually suggest a drywall thickness of ½ an inch.
However, this code may also vary depending on the situation. For instance, buildings with further apart joists usually require a drywall ceiling that is thicker than the usual. The extra thickness helps the drywall in spinning the space and stay firm. Without the added thickness, the ceiling is very likely to wave and warp.
In case the space between ceiling joists is near or more than 24 inches, you might want to consider upgrading your drywall thickness. Ideally, 5/8-inch thick drywall works best for this type of ceiling.
Furthermore, it is also a good idea to check in with the local building rules and codes to choose a drywall thickness accordingly. This can save you time and resources in case your choice of drywall thickness does not match the local building rules.
When looking at the local building codes, remember to also check for the fire resistance and safety requirements of your residential areas. For some areas, it is essential to install second-layer drywall in multi-unit buildings. These typically include apartments and business offices.
A double layer of drywall is significant for separating units from one another and reducing the risk of fire hazards. In simple words, these layers ensure that the flames do not spread as quickly from one unit to another. What else? It also soundproofs as an additional bonus.
Ultimately, a half-inch drywall is an ideal size. But checking in with building codes helps ensure safety and zero wastage of time and resources.
Key Takeaways
Drywall is gaining much popularity in the building industry for various purposes. However, its applications largely depend on the size and thickness of the sheets or panels. While you can use all standard drywall thicknesses for your ceiling, a 5/8 inch thick panel is most suitable. Make sure you choose one that ensures the safety of your loved ones and you.
Sources
diypaintingtips.com/drywall-thickness/
wconline.com/articles/87629-all-things-gypsum-where-is-it-in-the-code
