Drywall, also known as gypsum board or wallboard, is an essential building material used to create interior walls and ceilings. Determining the price of drywall is important for both homeowners and contractors to understand when budgeting for construction or renovation projects. In this article, we will examine the key factors that influence drywall pricing, provide an overview of cost ranges, and outline the differences between various drywall types.
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What is Drywall?
Drywall is composed of a layer of gypsum pressed between two sheets of heavy paper or fiberglass mats. Gypsum is a soft mineral that is mined and processed into a fine powder then reconstituted with water to create the core of the drywall panels.
The gypsum core gives drywall its fire-resistant properties. The paper or fiberglass facing provides structural rigidity and a surface that can be painted or textured. The standard size for a sheet of drywall is 4 feet wide by 8 feet tall, but it also comes in 4×10, 4×12, and 4×14 feet sheets. Thicknesses range from 1/4 inch to 5/8 inch for regular drywall, and up to 1 inch for specialty products.
When installed as wall panels, drywall provides a smooth, continuous surface for decorating. For ceilings, it can be screwed to joists or hung on a metal grid. The seams between panels are filled with joint compound, creating a seamless finish.
Drywall Pricing Factors
Several key factors impact the cost of drywall per sheet:
- Thickness – Thinner 1/4 inch and 3/8 inch drywall is less expensive than thicker 1/2 inch or 5/8 inch panels.
- Type – Standard drywall is the most affordable option. Specialty products like mold-resistant, fire-resistant, or sound dampening drywall cost more.
- Size – 4×12 foot and 4×14 foot sheets cost more per square foot than smaller 4×8 sheets.
- Quantity – Buying full bundles with multiple sheets offers a lower per-sheet price.
- Brand – National brands like USG or Georgia Pacific may be pricier than generic drywall.
- Location – Prices vary regionally based on supply and demand.
Cost Ranges
To give an idea of typical price ranges, here are some examples for 1/2 inch and 5/8 inch standard drywall from major home improvement retailers:
1/2 Inch Regular Drywall
| 4×8 Sheet | $9 – $12 per sheet |
| 4×10 Sheet | $12 – $16 per sheet |
| 4×12 Sheet | $16 – $22 per sheet |
5/8 Inch Regular Drywall
| 4×8 Sheet | $10 – $13 per sheet |
| 4×10 Sheet | $13 – $18 per sheet |
| 4×12 Sheet | $18 – $24 per sheet |
As shown, 5/8 inch drywall costs slightly more than 1/2 inch. Prices also rise for longer sheet sizes. Purchasing full bundles provides a lower cost per sheet compared to buying single sheets.
Types of Drywall
Beyond regular drywall, there are various specialty products at different price points:
Moisture-Resistant
Moisture-resistant or “greenboard” drywall has an oil-based coating that provides extra protection against moisture damage. It’s designed for bathrooms, laundry rooms, and other damp areas. Moisture-resistant 1/2 inch drywall costs $1 – $3 more per sheet than regular 1/2 inch drywall.
Fire-Resistant
Fire-resistant drywall contains glass fibers or other additives to increase fire resistance ratings. It’s required in some commercial buildings and high-rises. Fire-resistant 1/2 inch drywall ranges from $15 – $25 per 4×8 sheet.
Soundproof
Soundproof drywall has noise dampening properties thanks to layers of viscoelastic polymer sandwiched inside. It reduces sound transmission through walls for quieter rooms. Soundproof 1/2 inch drywall costs $30 – $45 per 4×8 sheet.
Mold-Resistant
Mold-resistant drywall is coated with biocides or copper to inhibit mold growth. It’s useful in moisture-prone basements or bathrooms. Mold-resistant 1/2 inch drywall costs $10 – $18 per 4×8 sheet.
Impact-Resistant
Impact-resistant or abuse-resistant drywall can withstand hits and dents without damage. It uses fibers or plastics to create a tougher shell. Impact-resistant 1/2 inch drywall ranges from $15 – $25 per sheet.
Calculating Drywall Quantity
To estimate total drywall costs for a project, the square footage of drywall needed must be calculated. Here is the formula:
Total drywall square footage = (Wall 1 Length x Wall 1 Height) + (Wall 2 Length x Wall 2 Height) + (Wall 3 Length x Wall 3 Height) + […]
The square footage result can then be divided by 32 sq ft (the area of a 4×8 sheet) to determine the number of sheets required.
For example, a 10×12 bedroom with an 8 foot ceiling requires:
- Wall 1: 10 ft long x 8 ft high = 80 sq ft
- Wall 2: 12 ft long x 8 ft high = 96 sq ft
- Wall 3: 10 ft long x 8 ft high = 80 sq ft
- Wall 4: 12 ft long x 8 ft high = 96 sq ft
Total = 80 + 96 + 80 + 96 = 352 sq ft
Divided by 32 sq ft per sheet, this 10×12 room would need around 11 sheets of 4×8 drywall (352/32 = 11 sheets).
With 1/2 inch regular drywall at $10 per sheet, the estimated drywall cost would be 11 sheets x $10 = $110.
Accurately measuring room dimensions and accounting for doors, windows, and other openings leads to a more precise drywall quantity estimate.
Cost to Install Drywall
In addition to material costs, professional drywall installation also factors into a project budget. Drywall contractors charge an average of $1.50-$4.00 per square foot for installation and finishing. This covers hanging panels, taping seams, applying joint compound, sanding, priming, and texturing. Texture choices like smooth, knockdown, or orange peel affect the final price.
Complex designs with high or vaulted ceilings often require more labor time and increase drywall installation costs. Factors like the contractor’s experience, overhead expenses, and geographic location also cause pricing variations.
Conclusion
Drywall is a versatile and economical wall surfacing material. For standard 1/2 inch drywall without special properties, pricing typically ranges from $9-$12 per 4×8 sheet at major home improvement stores. Specialty soundproofing, fire-resistant, or mold-resistant drywall is considerably more expensive. Exact drywall costs depend on the type, thickness, size, quality, and quantity purchased. Homeowners or contractors should calculate total square footage to accurately estimate the number of sheets and overall budget for a drywall project. Labor for installation and finishing also contributes significantly to the total price. Carefully measuring rooms and getting contractor quotes makes it possible to determine an accurate installed price per square foot and overall cost for a drywall job.