What is cheaper, sheetrock or drywall?

Author: Darby Hermann  |  Last update: Saturday, November 29, 2025

Sheetrock and drywall prices are $10 to $20 per sheet or $0.30 to $0.50 per square foot on average, depending on size, thickness, and type. Gypsum plasterboard costs $12 to $16 per sheet. Drywall materials cost $200 to $400 to cover the walls and ceiling of a 12' x 12' bedroom (500 SF).

What is the cheapest way to do interior walls?

Drywalls are relatively easy to install which is always a good thing in a major renovation or remodeling project. It's also fire resistant which means that it is hard to damage with heat. It is also one of the more inexpensive options for interior walls.

What is the cheapest option to cover a wall?

If you are thinking of covering your shop or garage walls, there are many options. The 3 cheapest options are drywall, metal siding and OSB. Depending on you application, any one of these may be fine for your shop. For me, OSB was the best choice. OSB is cheap, mouse resistant, flat, and able to be screwed to. The.

What is the difference between drywall and sheetrock?

One key difference between the two is that sheetrock is a brand name of drywall made by the United States Gypsum Corporation. Another difference lies in their production process; sheetrock has a slightly denser core than drywall due to the addition of a small amount of wood fiber to the gypsum core.

What is the cheapest material to use for walls?

What Is the Cheapest Material to Build a Wall With? While prices of materials will vary depending on where you're building, the least expensive types of siding for exterior walls tend to be vinyl and composite. Vinyl is synthetic, low-maintenance, and comes in all different types to match aesthetic desires.

The Cost of Wood Walls vs Drywall - $$$

Is anything cheaper than sheetrock?

Duramax PVC panel - One of the most affordable and lightweight drywall alternatives. How would you handle it if drywall got wet constantly?

What is the new product instead of drywall?

Trusscore is changing residential and commercial construction with products that combine sustainable materials with nanotechnology. Our PVC-based wall and ceiling panels are easy-to-install and high-performance replacements for traditional drywall and fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) panels.

Do I Sheetrock the ceiling or walls first?

Hang the Ceiling First

This makes it much easier to manage and attach the panels since you will not have to fumble around with the screws, measuring tape, and so on. Screws for drywall lids should be placed no closer than 16” from the wall. This allows the drywall to have a bit of flexibility to prevent ceiling cracks.

What are the disadvantages of drywall?

Drywall cons:
  • Installation process is more complicated. ...
  • Creates a mess during the installation.
  • Drywall weights, so you'll need a partner to help you with the installation.
  • Drywall is not as flexible as plaster so it can be difficult to bend it to achieve the desired result.
  • Lower durability than plaster.

Is it cheaper to use drywall or paneling?

Custom paneling is typically more expensive upfront compared to drywall. The cost of materials, especially if you choose high-quality wood or intricate designs, can be significant. Additionally, installation may require specialized skills and labor, further driving up the overall cost.

What is the most expensive wall covering?

The world's most expensive wallpaper is called "Les Guerres D'Independence Americaine" or "The War of Independence" and in 2006 was priced at just under $60,000.00 for a complete set of 32 panels - each measuring 3.8 m high and 0.47 m wide.

How to panel walls cheaply?

The best way to panel the walls in your home on a budget is to invest in an mdf wall panel kit. This clever product makes the process quicker and easier. Plus it's not harsh on the purse strings either.

Is shiplap cheaper than drywall?

Is it cheaper to shiplap or drywall? Drywall is generally cheaper than shiplapping walls, with an average cost of around $1.50 - $2 per sq foot. However, shiplapped walls bring a unique aesthetic to rooms that drywall can't match. For this reason, many homeowners find that the higher price point is justified.

Can I use plywood instead of drywall?

Drywall is one of the most recommended wall materials that you will find, and if you are looking to keep things on the cheap side, go with it. If you do not think that there is a huge chance of fire or damage, go with plywood, but keep in mind, everything about drywall is just easier.

What's a good budget for interior decorating?

We suggest allocating about 7-10% of the home's value for interior design expenses as a general rule of thumb. This will give you a design with some "Mid-Range" products. If you're looking for "Designer" level finishes, we recommend budgeting about 25% minimum of the home's overall value.

Should I hang drywall vertical or horizontal?

Commercial: Hang the drywall vertically. On commercial jobs, fire codes often require seams to fall on the entire length of the framing, so the drywall must be hung vertically. Residential: How high are the walls? For walls nine feet high or shorter, hanging the drywall horizontally has a number of benefits.

How many screws per sheet of drywall?

Number of 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.

Is drop ceiling cheaper than drywall?

In terms of drop ceiling versus drywall costs, drywall costs less overall. On average, drywall installation costs between $1.50 and $3.00 per square foot, while a drop ceiling costs $2.00 to $5.00 per square foot. Prices can vary based on factors like location, complexity of installation, and materials used.

How much does it cost to drywall a 12x12 room?

The average cost to install drywall is between $1.60 and $2.35 per square foot. For a typical 12′ x 12′ room with a wall height of 8′, the average price is around $815 for just the walls, or a total of $903 if including the ceiling drywall.

Are sheetrock and drywall the same thing?

Drywall is a construction material used to cover the framing of interior walls and ceilings. Sheetrock® is a type of drywall and is a trusted brand. Sheetrock tends to be higher in quality, so it's costlier than other types of drywall.

Is it cheaper to do drywall yourself?

Contractor. All elements considered, installing drywall as a DIY project costs an average of $1.50 to $3 per square foot.

Is anything cheaper than drywall?

Plywood is cost-effective and easy to work with. MDF is cheap but less sturdy. Cement board costs more but lasts longer in damp areas. Beadboard and veneer plaster are stylish options.

What is the cheapest way to build an interior wall?

The cheapest way to build an interior wall is with light structural timber and drywall. Heavy timber or metal beams cost more but may be necessary for load-bearing or exterior walls.

Why has drywall prices gone up?

Drywall: COSTS TRENDING

Drywall and gypsum products have been increasing since the start of the pandemic, mostly due to the climbing production cost at the manufacturer level.

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