Drywall thickness is also related to other properties of drywall, such as insulation and other protection. Thicker drywall panels offer additional benefits such as fire- and moisture-resistant qualities, as well as more effective insulation.
5/8-Inch-Thick Drywall
These panels are commonly used for ceilings or for walls that require a prescribed fire-resistant rating. When installed on ceilings, 5/8-inch-thick panels are less susceptible to sagging between the joists than 1/2-inch panels.
Drywall has a relatively low R-value — about 0.45 at ½” thickness. This is similar to building materials such as siding, concrete, dirt, face brick, particleboard, wood and single-pane glass. However, it is significantly less than materials that are commonly used for insulation.
The short answer is no. Drywall is a material used to construct a building's interior walls. It can boost insulation's effects, but its primary function is not to insulate. Also called gypsum or plasterboard, drywall's primary function is to provide a smooth and durable surface for painting.
It is possible to over-insulate your house so much that it can't breathe. The whole point of home insulation is to tightly seal your home's interior. But if it becomes too tightly sealed with too many layers of insulation, moisture can get trapped inside those layers. That's when mold starts to grow.
The insulation is usually made from one of several forms of foamed plastic. It should normally be at least 60mm thick, and can be up to 100mmm. The actual thickness required will depend on the material used - Insulation boards are fixed straight onto the wall using continuous ribbons of plaster or adhesive.
3/8-inch drywall is a good choice for remodeling partitions or creating patches. It's slightly thinner than standard ½-inch drywall but sturdier and more rigid than ¼-inch drywall, making it a good choice when you'll need to add it to an existing wall or surface where the plaster has worn away.
Thicker drywall panels offer additional benefits such as fire- and moisture-resistant qualities, as well as more effective insulation. With these concerns in mind, drywall is sold with different properties: Insulated — Good for rooms that don't retain heat well.
1/2″ is ideal if you want a lightweight material that can easily be cut and installed, while 5/8″ provides added strength and stability. The 1/2″ option is suitable for most basement ceilings, while 5/8″ type X sheetrock is typically reserved for walls requiring fire ratings.
1/2-Inch Drywall: Most drywall measures 1/2-inch thick. It's the most common choice for interior walls because they are easy to carry and hang. If weight is a concern, consider ultra-light half-inch drywall.
Joints are too tight
Without enough space when this happens, you'll get cracks. Keep a 1/8-inch space between sheets during installation to keep this from happening. Using a guide can help make sure your sheets are properly spaced throughout the job.
The walls, floors and ceilings of your home should feel warm and dry to the touch. When drywall and panelling inside a home feels damp or cold, that's a clear sign there's not enough insulation. Alternatively, when touching an exterior wall, it should feel cold because insulation is keeping warm air inside a home.
You should always put down the vapor barrier before installing insulation. That way, you don't end up with gaps in the insulation that allow moisture to get into the wall cavity, floor joist, or on a crawlspace floor. Once the vapor barrier is installed, then you can have your insulation installed.
That means most of the humidity will be generated from within, so the barrier should be installed between the drywall and the insulation. The opposite applies if you live in a hot, humid climate, where it makes sense to put the moisture barrier between your exterior wall and the insulation to keep it dry.
Double or multiple layers of drywall are sometimes required for increased fire resistance or for reduced sound penetration.
On the other hand, Plywood offers some distinct advantages over drywall and is a good alternative to be considered, especially if you are looking for a warm, natural look. The sterility of drywall doesn't provide much warmth, whereas wood grain naturally does.
With 1/2-inch drywall applied perpendicular to the trusses, the allowable weight load is 1.3 pounds per square foot. This is equal to about 6 inches of cellulose insulation. With 5/8-inch drywall, the allowable load is 2.2 pounds per square foot, or about 10 inches of cellulose.