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Woodworking & Lumber
Drywall Guide: Types, Cost & Installation
Lumberama Editorial Team, Drywall & Interior Finishing Specialists Nov 7, 2026 9 min read
Types of Drywall
Regular (white board): Standard drywall for most interior walls and ceilings. Available in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2, and 5/8 inch. 1/2 inch is standard for walls. 5/8 inch for ceilings (less sag). Cost: $0.25-$0.50/sq ft.
Moisture-resistant (green board): Paper facing treated for moisture resistance. For bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms. NOT for direct water exposure (use cement board for shower/tub areas). Cost: $0.35-$0.60/sq ft.
Mold-resistant (purple board): Fiberglass facing (no paper for mold to feed on). Best for high-humidity areas. More expensive than green board. Cost: $0.40-$0.75/sq ft.
Fire-resistant (Type X): 5/8 inch thick with glass fibers. Required in garages, furnace rooms, and some ceilings. 1-hour fire rating. Cost: $0.35-$0.55/sq ft.
Soundproof (QuietRock, SilentFX): Multiple layers with damping compound. Significantly reduces sound transmission. For bedrooms, home theaters, shared walls. Cost: $1.50-$5/sq ft.
Cement board: Not technically drywall but used in similar applications. For tile backing in showers, tubs, and backsplashes. Waterproof. Cost: $0.50-$1/sq ft.
Drywall Finishing Levels
Level 0: No finishing (taping or coating). Temporary construction or concealed spaces.
Level 1: Tape embedded in joint compound. For above-ceiling plenums, attics, and areas not normally visible.
Level 2: Tape + one coat of compound over joints and fasteners. For areas receiving tile or other thick finish.
Level 3: Tape + two coats of compound. For areas receiving heavy texture.
Level 4: Tape + three coats of compound. Standard for most painted walls. Light to moderate texture or flat paint.
Level 5: Level 4 + skim coat over entire surface. For smooth walls with gloss or semi-gloss paint. Areas with critical lighting (where imperfections show). Most expensive finish.
Cost
Materials (per sq ft): Drywall sheets: $0.25-$0.75 (depending on type). Joint compound, tape, screws, corner bead: $0.15-$0.30/sq ft. Total materials: $0.40-$1.05/sq ft.
Labor (per sq ft): Hanging: $0.50-$1.50. Taping and finishing: $1-$2.50. Combined hanging + finishing: $1.50-$4.
Total installed (per sq ft): Budget (Level 4): $1.50-$3. Standard (Level 4): $2-$4. Premium (Level 5): $3-$5+.
For a typical room (500 sq ft of wall/ceiling): Materials: $200-$500. Labor: $750-$2,000. Total: $1,000-$2,500.
For a 1,000 sq ft basement: Materials: $500-$1,000. Labor: $2,000-$5,000. Total: $2,500-$6,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Per sq ft (installed, Level 4 finish): budget: $1.50-$3. Standard: $2-$4. Premium (Level 5): $3-$5+. Materials only: $0.40-$1.05/sq ft. Labor (hang + finish): $1.50-$4/sq ft. For a typical room (500 sq ft of wall/ceiling): $1,000-$2,500. For a 1,000 sq ft basement: $2,500-$6,000. Drywall repair: small patch: $50-$150. Large repair: $200-$500. Water damage: $300-$800.
Yes, but finishing (taping and mudding) is the hard part. Hanging: moderate difficulty. Heavy sheets (a 4x8 half-inch sheet weighs 52 lbs). Ceiling hanging requires a helper or drywall lift (rent for $40-$60/day). Cutting is easy (score and snap). Finishing: high difficulty. Taping and mudding requires skill and practice. Multiple coats with drying time between. Sanding is messy and tedious. Imperfections show in the finished product. The hybrid approach: many DIYers hang the drywall themselves and hire a professional finisher. This saves 30-40% (hanging labor is cheaper than finishing). DIY cost: materials only: $0.40-$1.05/sq ft. Professional finishing: $1-$2.50/sq ft. Save: $0.50-$1.50/sq ft on hanging labor.
1/2 inch (standard): walls with studs 16 inches on center. Most common thickness. 5/8 inch: ceilings (reduces sag between joists). Garages and furnace rooms (fire code requires Type X 5/8 inch). Walls with studs 24 inches on center. 3/8 inch: covering existing walls or ceilings (overlay). Curved walls (easier to bend). 1/4 inch: curved walls and arches (very flexible). Double layer over existing surfaces. The rule: 1/2 inch for walls, 5/8 inch for ceilings. When in doubt, go thicker.
Small holes (nail holes, small dings): fill with lightweight spackle. Sand smooth when dry. Touch up paint. Cost: $5-$10 (DIY). Medium holes (fist-sized): use a drywall patch kit. Apply self-adhesive mesh patch. Cover with 2-3 coats of joint compound. Sand and paint. Cost: $10-$20 (DIY). Large holes (bigger than 6 inches): cut a clean rectangle around the damage. Cut a new piece of drywall to fit. Attach with drywall screws to backing strips. Tape seams with mesh tape. Apply 3 coats of joint compound. Sand and paint. Cost: $20-$50 (DIY). Water damage: remove all wet or moldy drywall. Fix the water source first. Replace with new drywall. Cost: $50-$200+ (DIY) depending on extent.
Lumberama Editorial Team
Drywall & Interior Finishing Specialists
Contributor to Lumberama’s reference library. Read our editorial standards and source methodology.
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