Drywall, also known as Sheetrock and plaster board, comes in a variety of thicknesses. Drywall thicker or thinner than standard drywall can be used in special situations. Installing drywall can be a do-it-yourself project with the proper equipment and materials. The first step is to determine the appropriate thickness of the drywall.
Standard Walls
The most common thickness of drywall used in residential interior construction is 1/2 inch. This material is recommended for walls with studs placed 16 inches on center. If the wall studs are placed 24 inches on center a 5/8 inch drywall is recommended. Most pre-hung doors are designed to work with 1/2 inch drywall installed on each side of a 2-by-4 wall. Thicker drywall may require adjustments to the door assembly.
Curved Walls
Thin drywall, commonly 1/4 or 3/8 inch thick, can be bent around curved surfaces. This type of construction is used in archways and other areas where the surface is curved rather than straight. Two layers of the thin drywall can be installed to provide structural integrity.
Fire Resistant
Fire resistant drywall is available in both 1/2 inch and 5/8 inch. This material is often used between units in an apartment building or around furnace or utility rooms in a home. The 5/8 inch thick panels of drywall have a fire resistant rating of 60 minutes while the 1/2 inch panels typically only stop flames for 45 minutes. Check local building codes for the materials approved for your area.
Wall Repair
Thin drywall, 1/4 to 3/8 inch thick, is also used in repairs to interior walls. In some cases the drywall is placed over old plaster that is cracked and breaking up. In other cases the thin drywall covers old drywall that has discolored or been damaged. Thin drywall can be used because the original material provides a structural backing.
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