Professional carpenters use different types of drywall for different jobs. Fire-resistant drywall, which is thicker and heavier than most other sheets of drywall, is widely used in commercial construction and occasionally in residential homes. When installed correctly, Type X drywall provides anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours of additional fire protection.
Makeup
Type X drywall includes a main core of gypsum, just like ordinary sheets of drywall. However, this specialized type of drywall also includes fibers from glass and noncombustible materials to increase its fire rating beyond that of the average sheet of drywall.
Thickness
Sheets of fire-resistant drywall, regardless of length, are typically manufactured with a thickness of 1/2 inch, 5/8 of an inch or 3/4 of an inch. Individual fire ratings for each thickness are 45 minutes, one hour and two hours, respectively.
Length
Type X drywall can be purchased in lengths of 8, 10, or 12 feet. It can be measured and cut to size to fit a ceiling or wall, just as with ordinary drywall.
Applications
Fire-resistant drywall is primarily seen in commercial construction. Depending on the area in which you live, however, local building codes may require the installation of Type X drywall in certain areas of a home. Likely scenarios for fire-resistant drywall installation in a residential home include walls and ceilings around a furnace, inside a utility room and inside garages that are attached to the home. Type X drywall is also used on walls and ceilings that separate individual living spaces in apartment and condominium construction.
Appearance
With the exception of the "Type X" stamp found across each sheet, fire-resistant drywall looks exactly the same as ordinary drywall. Given the extra materials added to Type X drywall during manufacturing, however, this specialized drywall is heavier and more difficult to cut and work with than ordinary drywall.
Cost
On average, fire-resistant drywall costs about 75 cents more per sheet than ordinary drywall. This is why installation of Type X drywall is rarely seen in residential buildings, and even then it is usually used only when local building codes call for it.
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