So you’re looking to install drywall for your ceilings but don’t know whether ⅝ drywall is the right choice. We know how daunting it is to choose the appropriate drywall so we’ve made it easy for you.
Is ⅝ drywall required for ceilings?
If you want a rigid, fire-resistant, soundproof drywall with an extra smooth finish then go for the 5/8 drywall. On the other hand, if you live in a one-story home and you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that is lightweight then ⅝ drywall is not for you.
This is only the tip of the iceberg. There’s a lot more you need to learn regarding ⅝ drywalls. So let’s dive into the main segment!
Why Do You Need To Use ⅝ Drywall On Your Ceilings?
A typical ⅝ drywall is a type of thick drywall that is ⅝ inch thick and provides rigidity to your ceiling. In some places using a ⅝ drywall is mandatory for your ceilings. Especially if you live in an apartment.
Rigidity
⅝ inch drywalls are one of the thickest drywall on the market. As a result, it provides great rigidity. This, in turn, helps to stabilize the ceiling of your home.
As a ⅝ drywall is quite rigid it is great for making your ceilings more durable. These types of sheetrock last a long time compared to other sheetrock on the market.
Fire-Resistance
The main purpose of the ⅝ drywall is the ability to withstand fire. This trait of ⅝ drywall can save your life. As a ⅝ drywall is relatively thicker it acts as a firewall.
A ⅝ drywall also has a denser core and contains glass fiber inside the drywall that doesn’t let it crumble when it comes in contact with heat.
It’s particularly beneficial for apartments. If you have another floor above you then you should go for the ⅝ drywall.
For example, if a fire breaks out on any other floor of a building the ⅝ drywall will prevent it from spreading to any other floors. Thus, in situations like this, it can be life-saving.
Some countries made it mandatory to use ⅝ drywall for this reason. So definitely check if this rule is also followed in your country. If it does then you should directly just go for the ⅝ drywall.
Acoustical Blocking
As the ⅝ drywall provides around ⅝ inch thickness it automatically makes your walls soundproof.
Due to its super thick proportion, it can add a definitive layer of soundproofing to your walls. So if you’re looking to make your room soundproof then make sure to use ⅝ drywall on your ceiling.
Stiff
A ⅝ drywall tends to be relatively stiffer. So it’s a great option for your house ceiling if you’re planning on remodeling it.
The ceiling of a beam house needs that extra stiffness just like the flooring of a beam house.
So the ⅝ drywall can provide this extra needed stability.
The ⅝ drywall reduces the possibility of the sheetrock bowing down between the ceilings. As a result, it prevents sagging. 24” centers are particularly more benefited by the ⅝ drywall.
Smoother
For a smooth seamless finish you should go for the ⅝ drywall. These tend to blend in with the walls perfectly.
Compared to other drywall on the market, the 5/8 drywall has the least amount of texture. It’s the smoothest to touch. So, it looks very polished and elegant.
The ⅝ drywall provides a seamless finish and blends in easily with the walls. These do not tend to have a gap between them unlike the presence of gap in dishwasher and countertop.
The light reflects on ⅝ drywall better. All in all, the ⅝ drywall is the most pleasing to look at. As a result, this drywall should be used if you’re planning on making your ceilings more refined.
When You Do NOT Need To Use ⅝ Drywall On Your Ceiling?
You don’t always have to use the ⅝ drywall on your ceilings. Especially if you don’t need any added benefits to your ceiling then avoiding the ⅝ drywall will save you a lot of money.
If You’re Looking For Budget-Friendly Options
The process of installing drywall to your ceilings can get quite costly. On top of that if your choice of drywall is also expensive then it can break your bank.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option then the ⅝ drywall can get quite costly for you. Compared to other drywalls on the market, the price of 5/8 drywall can be 300-500 dollars more than the next best drywall.
Although a ⅝ drywall wouldn’t cost as much as the cost of moving a garage it is still very expensive.
So the price markup is particularly high for a ⅝ drywall. If you’re planning on reducing some costs in your home remodeling journey then you can avoid the ⅝ drywall.
Here are some of the budget-friendly options for drywall:
| Product 1 | |
| Product 2 |
If You Live In A One-Storied Building
A thick, rigid, and fireproof drywall is needed for houses with multiple floors. These types of houses or buildings need a lot of support in their ceilings as they need to carry the weight of the upper floor.
On the other hand, if you happen to live in a one-story house then you don’t need all of that rigidity or stiffness.
Your one-story home doesn’t need to support the weight of multiple floors on top. As a result, you don’t have to get thick and strong drywall for your ceilings.
If You Don’t Need Soundproofing
If making your rooms soundproof is not a concern for you then you don’t need a ⅝ drywall. Due to its thick nature, the 5/8 drywall soundproofs your room effectively.
You can easily get away with using thin drywall compared to the ⅝ inch drywall in case you don’t need a soundproof ceiling. So look for other drywall options on the market.
If You Don’t Need Fireproofing
The other name of the ⅝ drywall is the firewall. Due to its thick proportion, it easily acts as a firewall.
If you live in a home with no floors on top then fireproofing your ceilings is not necessarily needed. There is a very slim chance of fire spreading in a one-story house.
So, paying a premium for the fireproof drywall when you don’t need one is a waste of money.
If You’re Looking For A Lightweight Drywall
The ⅝ inch drywall is thick, sturdy, and extremely heavyweight. This is essentially used in homes that need a supportive ceiling.
As it’s heavyweight drywall it may not be suitable for your home. In this case, you need to opt for lightweight drywall that won’t bring down your ceilings.
That’s all you need to know regarding whether you put ⅝ drywall on your ceilings or not.
FAQs
Questions: Where Should I Use ⅝ drywall?
Answer: The ⅝ drywall is typically used for ceilings and for walls that require a fire-resistant rating. It’s also used for soundproofing your apartment floors.
Question: Can a ⅝ drywall be used on walls?
Answer: Yea, ⅝ drywall can be used on walls to make it more durable and fireproof. If the additional cost doesn’t bother you too much then you can install ⅝ drywall on your walls.
Question: Can you screw into a ⅝ drywall?
Answer: Yes, you can screw into a ⅝ drywall. Make sure to use the appropriate screw for this type of ⅝ drywall.
Bottomline
So the answer to the question is ⅝ drywall required for ceilings ultimately depends on you.
If you prefer a sturdy fireproof ceiling with added aesthetics then go for the ⅝ drywall. But for reduced cost and less functionality, you can avoid ⅝ drywall.
Until then stay safe and healthy. See you next time!