How much does drywall cost?

Standard 1/2-inch drywall costs $10-$15 per 4x8 sheet ($0.30-$0.50/sq ft). With joint compound, tape, and screws, total materials cost $0.40-$0.70/sq ft. Professional hanging and finishing costs $2-$4/sq ft. A 12x12 room costs $150-$300 in materials or $800-$1,600 professionally. A whole house (5,000 sq ft of drywall) costs $10,000-$20,000 professional. What thickness drywall should I use?

What thickness drywall should I use?

1/2-inch is standard for walls. 5/8-inch is standard for ceilings (sag-resistant) and anywhere fire rating is required (between garage and living space, between units in apartments). 1/4-inch is for curved walls and overlaying damaged drywall. In bathrooms and kitchens, use moisture-resistant (green board) or mold-resistant (purple board) in 1/2-inch. Can I hang drywall myself?

Can I hang drywall myself?

Yes. Hanging drywall is physically demanding but straightforward. Walls are manageable for one person. Ceilings require a drywall lift (rent for $40-$60/day) or a helper. Cutting is simple: score, snap, cut. The hardest DIY part is taping, mudding, and sanding to achieve a smooth finish — this takes practice. Many DIYers hang drywall themselves but hire a professional for taping and finishing. What is the difference between drywall finishing levels?

What is the difference between drywall finishing levels?

Level 0: no finishing (concealed areas). Level 1: tape embedded in joint compound (behind tile). Level 2: tape plus thin coat of compound (garage, utility). Level 3: tape plus two coats (textured walls). Level 4: tape plus three coats, sanded smooth (flat or semi-gloss paint). Level 5: skim coat entire surface (high-gloss paint, critical lighting). Most residential walls need Level 4. Level 5 costs 30-50% more in labor.

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Woodworking & Lumber

Drywall Guide: Types, Sizes, Hanging, Taping & Finishing

Lumberama Editorial Team, Drywall & Interior Finishing Specialists Aug 18, 2026 9 min read

Types of Drywall

Regular (white board): Standard interior walls and ceilings. Cost: $10-$15 per 4x8 sheet. Most common type.

Moisture resistant (green board): Paper face treated for moisture resistance. Cost: $12-$18 per 4x8 sheet. For bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms. Not for direct water contact (use cement board for showers).

Mold resistant (purple board): Fiberglass face (no paper for mold to grow on). Cost: $15-$25 per 4x8 sheet. Best for high-moisture areas. Brand: National Gypsum Purple XP, Georgia Pacific DensArmor.

Fire resistant (Type X): Contains glass fibers for fire resistance. Cost: $12-$18 per 4x8 sheet. Required: between garage and living space, between units in multi-family. 5/8 inch thick provides 1-hour fire rating.

Soundproof: Multiple layers with damping compound. Brands: QuietRock, SilentFX. Cost: $40-$60 per 4x8 sheet. STC rating 50+ (vs 33 for standard drywall).

Specialty: Abuse-resistant: fiber-reinforced for high-traffic. Flexible: for curved walls (1/4 inch). Ceiling board: sag-resistant for ceiling applications.

Standard Sizes

Thickness: 1/4 inch: flexible, for curved surfaces and overlays. 3/8 inch: repair and layering. 1/2 inch: standard for walls (most common). 5/8 inch: standard for ceilings (sag resistant) and fire-rated.

Sheet sizes: 4x8 feet: most common, easiest to handle. 4x10 feet: reduces seams in 9-10 foot walls. 4x12 feet: reduces seams, harder to handle. 4x14 and 4x16 feet: commercial, requires multiple people. 54-inch wide sheets: ceiling applications (fewer seams).

Hanging Drywall

Tools needed: T-square and utility knife. Drywall screws (1-1/4 inch for 1/2 inch drywall). Drill or screw gun. Drywall lift (for ceilings, rent for $40-$60/day). Keyhole saw or rotary tool (for outlets and switches).

Hanging sequence: Ceilings first, then walls. Top sheets before bottom sheets (top sheet supports upper edge). Horizontal orientation for walls (stronger, fewer seams at standing height).

Screw pattern: Every 12 inches along edges. Every 16 inches in the field (center of sheet). 3/8 inch from sheet edge minimum. Screws should dimple (slightly below surface) without breaking paper.

Cutting: Score face with utility knife along T-square. Snap board along score line. Cut back paper with knife. Openings: measure and cut with keyhole saw or rotary tool.

Cost

Materials per sq ft: Drywall sheet: $0.30-$0.50/sq ft (standard). Joint compound (mud): $0.05-$0.10/sq ft. Tape: $0.02-$0.05/sq ft. Screws: $0.02-$0.05/sq ft. Total materials: $0.40-$0.70/sq ft.

Per sheet (4x8): Regular 1/2 inch: $10-$15. Moisture resistant: $12-$18. Fire rated 5/8 inch: $12-$18. Mold resistant: $15-$25. Soundproof: $40-$60.

Professional installation: Hang only: $1-$2/sq ft. Hang and finish: $2-$4/sq ft.

Room costs (12x12 room, walls + ceiling): Materials: $150-$300. Professional hang and finish: $800-$1,600.

Whole house (2,000 sq ft living space, ~5,000 sq ft drywall): Materials: $2,000-$3,500. Professional: $10,000-$20,000.