Available in many varieties, drywall is one of the best panel types to use for laying floors, walls, ceilings, and partitions, especially if you’re building your home from scratch.
While other materials such as wood, plastic panels, and plywood can be costly and are hard to work with, drywall is relatively cheaper and just as good.
So how much does drywall weigh? A 4×8 foot standard drywall sheet of 1/2 inch thickness will weigh about 57 lbs.
How Much Drywall Weighs
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Drywall is a versatile building material. It’s manufactured in different colors, sizes, and qualities. It doesn’t have a fixed weight, though. Its weight boils down to its type. That being said, let’s go over the different types of drywall and how much they weigh.
Standard or Regular Drywall
This is the most affordable and basic of all drywall types. It’s considered of average quality since it has none of the improvements other drywall types have.
It’s fire-resistant by nature, which means it will hold off 15 minutes before it starts to crack under extreme heat exposure. Further, it has an STC rating of 30 to 34, which means it permits sound transmission to an acceptable extent.
Ultralight Drywall
If you’re DIYing, using lightweight materials is probably at the top of your list of priorities. Transporting and installing a number of drywall sheets can be a hassle. So, if you’re doing the whole process on your own, I recommend trying out the ultralight drywall.
Ultralight drywall means a 23% reduction in weight for the same strength you’d expect from standard drywall.
Type X Drywall and Type C Drywall
If you don’t mind paying a few extra bucks in exchange for top-notch fire resistance, Type X and Type C are ones for you!
Many building codes dictate using fire-retardant drywall, but even if it’s not a requirement, they can definitely help you sleep better at night.
Both Type X and Type C consist of gypsum with noncombustible glass fibers but with different degrees. They’re best used in garages, furnace rooms, and bedrooms.
Type C is considered the enhanced version, having more fireproof material, it slows down the spread of fire for up to four hours. On the other hand, type X only lasts for one hour.
They’re relatively thick drywall boards. A 4×8 foot sheet of Type X is 5/8 inches thick and weighs about 70.4 lbs.
As for Type C, you can get a 1/2 inch sheet that weighs 64 lbs. or one that’s 5/8 inches and weighs 80 lbs.
Purple Drywall
If you’re constantly dealing with leaks or have moisture building up in your house, you might want to consider installing purple drywall.
Usually, if you have mold and mildew growing on your drywall, you might be forced to throw the whole thing away to control the spread. Purple drywall, favorably, is highly resistant to moisture, mold, and mildew, so you can use it in your kitchen, bathroom, and basement to avoid hazards.
It’s only sold in one size, which is 5×8 foot, 1/2 inches thick, and 51 lbs heavy.
Soundproof Drywall
If you’re not the one screaming at your neighbor to turn down the noise, you’re probably the latter. We’ve all been there, so here’s the one drywall that’ll give you the privacy you need.
Sound-insulating drywall is made of more layers of wood, gypsum, and polymers than your average drywall, which helps muffle all sounds.
Technically speaking, soundproof drywall can give you an STC rating of 52. Once integrated into the wall system, you no longer have to worry about your neighbors complaining when you blast music at higher volumes!
Some people choose to double-layer standard drywall since soundproof drywall sheets could be pricey. Personally, I wouldn’t recommend that. The use of extra sheets does add up money, space, and labor. It’s not a very practical solution.
If you decide to go for sound-insulating drywall, you’ll find it has an average weight of 68 lbs for a 1/2 inches sheet.
It’s very convenient for walls, ceilings, and floors.
Is Drywall Easy to Install
You can install drywall without the help of a professional, but it’s still not a simple DIY job that takes only a couple of steps.
Although it might seem like a basic job of hoisting the drywall then screwing it in place, it’s more demanding than that. If you’re planning to cover a large area, you’ll surely need a helper or two.
You’ll also need to get your tools and measurements ready beforehand. Also, you might want to rent a drywall lift if you’re doing the ceiling.
Is Drywall a Durable Material
Drywall isn’t impact-resistant; it can be liable to cracks or holes. However, plastering can make it quite heavy-duty. Also, it’s easy to repair. You can use a drywall patch or joint compound, and it’s as good as new.
If you plan on hanging frames or decoration, look for a wall stud to support the extra weight. You can easily find a wall stud by tapping on your walls as you go around until you hear a solid sound. Also, make sure you’re choosing the right anchor.
Is Drywall Environmentally Friendly
The sulfate and hydrogen sulfite in the gypsum can be pretty harmful when introduced into the environment. Nonetheless, this harm can be easily avoided by recycling your drywall.
Is Breathing Drywall Dust Harmful
If you’re not a construction worker and only install and do repairs for personal use, you have nothing to worry about. However, if you’re exposed to drywall dust regularly, you need to understand the risks and precautions.
Breathing in drywall dust and respirable silica can cause eye, nose, throat, and respiratory tract irritation. These develop with time into more serious health conditions.
There are, however, some steps you can follow to limit your exposure, like using pole-sanding instead of hand-sanding.
Conclusion
There are many aspects that affect the weight of a drywall board. Those include its ability to resist heat, water, and sound.
Unfortunately, the extra boost means extra weight. Nevertheless, if weight is your number one priority, you can always opt for ultralight drywall. It’s 23% lighter than standard drywall!
