The most common standard drywall you can find is gypsum board, plasterboard, wallboard, Sheetrock custard board, and others. Drywall panel are generally used for better interior construction, durability, heat-resistant, and water-resistant. But, drywall has variant thickness and their quality depends on it. So, you may come to know 1/2; and ⅝ drywalls.
1/2″ thickness panel considered as industry standard. On the other hand, 5/8″ drywall is popular in commercial interiors. Both provide excellent durability, architectural designs, and insulating advantages. Still, they differ in cost, quality, and benefits.
Both 1/2″ and 5/8″ drywall panels are effective in their specific construction zones. However, you must know the difference when choosing drywall panels for your project. This article will assist you to clarify all the key differences between 1/2″ vs 5/8″ drywall for better decision.
What is 1/2″ Drywall Panel?
This is a high grade gypsum board panel with 1/2; thickness. 1/2″ drywall board made of gypsum means calcium sulfate dihydrate. The manufacturer sandwiches this panel in between two paper sheets. It helps to make the drywall protective and aesthetic in visuals.
Some other chemicals are also added to the gypsum panel for making it durable, resistant and insulating. 1/2″ drywall panel is considered as industry standard gypsum board, ideal for interior and ceiling constructions.
The board provides better durability and safety in your space. 1/2″ drywall panel, mostly used in home and residential appliances. People love the board for quality and affordability.
What is 5/8″ Drywall Panel?
This drywall panel is also a high grade gypsum board with a thickness level of ⅝. Most commercial interiors are constructed with this drywall panel. Additionally, this is the thickest gypsum panel available in the industry.
5/8″ drywall panels are known for greater protection and durability. In fact, the gypsum board is highly soundproofing, fire and water-resistant. Industry says, the thicker the drywall is, the stronger it is.
Still, much thicker does not always mean it’s better than others. Additional benefits always come with additional costs. In fact, the 5/8″ is much heavier and complex to install. Indeed, the choices depend on the needs of the users.
10 Key Differences Between 1/2″ and 5/8″ Drywall
You might confuse 1/2″ vs 5/8″ drywall, which one is better choice. Maybe you think thicker is better than others. Despite It’s beneficial for better insulation, still the thicker can comes with few cons also.
1. Applications
1/2; drywall panels are small and widely used in home and residential buildings. For commercial applications, 5/8″ drywall panels are the first choice for builders. That’s because it is very durable, insulating, and has great resistance abilities.
Indeed, these are the vital concerns for every commercial building. 5/8″ drywall panels create a great noise reduction environment between two apartment rooms.
2. Weight Differnce
1/2″ drywall panels are much lighter and easy to use in residential buildings. These gypsum boards are easily installed in curved walls and joints. Thanks to their flexibility and small size design. On the other hand, 5/8″ drywall panels are heavier for their large size and rigid design.
That’s why they are complex to use in the interior designs. However, these qualities also provide better insulation and protective features. 5/8″ drywall panels only suited for commercial buildings where space of walls and ceiling are large.
3. Noise Reduction
Drywall panels are known for their excellent noise reduction capabilities. Thick high-end gypsum cores effectively absorb sound waves. On the other hand, potent outer layer or sheet panels help to reflect the noise.
That’s why builders recommend using drywall boards to install in walls and ceiling areas. As a general rule, thick gypsum boards offer greater noise reduction than the lower ones. It means, 5/8″ drywall panels have better sound absorbing quality than 1/2″ panels.
Still, if you compared price affordability with noise reduction, 1/2″ panels will work best against 5/8″ for residential appliances.
4. Ceiling and Sagging
1/2″ drywall panels have better flexibility and less weight than others. However, these qualities make the gypsum boards less supportive on ceilings where joists are far. In this situation, 1/2″ drywall panels start sagging if you don’t use maximum screws or supportive tools.
On the other hand, 5/8″ drywall panels are large, more durable and rigid to its shape. It means these gypsum boards became more supportive on large spaces.
You can easily use them on ceilings where joists are far from each other. Potent construction and thick layers do not bend on the roof and stick on its shape for years.
5. Insulation quality
Drywall panels contain thermal properties to provide better insulating properties. Thick panels can offer excellent heat, water, moisture protections to the wall.
Talking about thickness, 5/8″ drywall panels work best for insulating your interiors. These gypsum boards include better thermal properties and a thick layer in your room. On the other, 1/2″ drywall panels are less effective for insulation.
These panels have a low R-value, which is about 0.45. This level of thickness compared with concrete, face brick, single glass, particleboard, wood etc for insulation. Still, 1/2″ drywall panels does good jobs in most construction projects in residential.
6. Durability
Both 1/2″ and 5/8″ drywall panels are durable in their own ways. 1/2″ gypsum boards are thinner and more flexible than others. These qualities make the panels movable, and flex to a constant pressure. On the other hand, they tend to bend, break or damage due to strong or constant force.
5/8″ drywall panels are much thicker, heavier and durable than 1/2″ boards. 5/8″ rock sheets are also very rigid and strong on different occasions. Still they also tend to crack or snap under extreme pressure. So both are durable and strong depending on their purpose of use.
7. Fire Resistance
Builders always suggest installing drywall panels for better heat and fire resistance. These gypsum boards contain approximately 21% of water content. During fire, this water content evaporates as a stream and prevents spreading of fire to other spaces.
Industry says, 5/8″ drywall panels have better ratings in fire resistance. In many cases, 1/2; gypsum boards also work best on these occasions. Still, 5/8″ drywall panels have better thickness, making them greater heat and fire protection.
8. Water Resistance
Honestly, both 1/2″ vs 5/8″ drywall panels offer the same water resistance in your interiors. Indeed, the thickness of these panels doesn’t matter on this occasion. Both panels contain almost the same level of water content and work similarly to keep things protected from moisture.
Compounds in drywall panels work as a waxy coating to make everything seal to each other. As a result, both offer the same level of water resistance and prevent mold build up.
9. Hanging Over Drywall
Some people love to hang their new drywall panels over top of the old boards. This process helps to perform tasks like painting, sanding, hole filling etc. So, if you are planning for the same projects, know certain points.
1/2″ drywall panels are relatively lighter than 5/8″ boards. So if you install much thicker gypsum sheets on the roof, it can damage or tend to fall.
10. Costing
As mentioned, the thicker is costly than the options having less thickness. So, 5/8″ drywall panels are a bit more expensive than 1/2″ boards. It’s because the 5/8″ panel used more high-end gypsum in the panel.
Besides, it also provides better protection than the 1/2″ drywall boards. So if you have a tight budget but want to invest in gypsum panels, go for a less thick option. For example, it will cost rougly 300 dollar extran for 2200 square foot, if you go for 5/8″ drywall option.
FAQs
Are 1/2″ and 5/8″ Drywall the Same?
Actually, both 1/2″ and 5/8″ drywall panels include the same components inside. The difference is their thickness level. 1/2″ drywall panels are much lighter, flexible and commonly used residential items than 5/8″ drywall boards.
Is Half Inch or 5/8″ Drywall better for Walls?
It completely depends on your DIY projects or purpose to use. 1/2″ drywall panels widely used in residential appliances. On the other hand, 5/8″ drywall boards are used in commercial buildings where durability, resistance and protection has higher concern.
What Thickness of Drywall is Best for ceiling?
For ceiling, the thicker the drywall is, the more beneficial it is. Therefore it is recommended for 5/8″ drywall panels to offer greater durability and protection. Still, thicker doesn’t always mean it is the best. For most residential buildings, industry standard drywall 1/2″ panels work excellent.
Should Drywall Be Butted Tight?
Butt joints of drywall are called vertical joints where builders leave 1/2 inch gaps at the floor. This process helps to prevent crack or break of drywall.
Conclusion:
We hope you get all related answers to 1/2″ vs 5/8″ drywalls. Remember depending on your needs, choose the right thickness for you home project. Both 1/2″ and 5/8″ drywall panels work best in their zones, so choose the right one wisely based on your budget. However, you can also consult with a professional contractor.
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