I'm working on my house built in the 1890s, and I need some advice on drywalling. The joists are spaced 16" apart, but the framing isn't perfect due to the house's age. I'm wondering if I can get away with using 1/2" drywall, or if I should opt for 5/8" to better hide any imperfections. I'm tackling this project solo but can get some help with lifting the drywall into place. Any thoughts or advice? Thanks a lot!
4 Answers
You should be fine using 1/2" drywall on the walls. If you have some larger imperfections, consider using butt strips, which are basically cardboard strips you can find in the Sheetrock aisle to fur it out a bit. Just a heads up though, for ceilings, definitely go with 5/8".
Going with 5/8" won’t necessarily help hide imperfections better. If you want to achieve a more even surface, consider sistering metal studs to your existing wooden ones. They can handle a load as well, but be cautious if you're attaching heavy items since they aren’t as sturdy as wood.
About the 5/8" – I've seen all kinds of drywall thicknesses, but if you're considering 1/2" or 5/8", just know that both boards can be flat. For lifting, you can also screw in a temporary 2x4 to hold the drywall in place while you work on it.
5/8" is the fire-rated option, and it’s a bit stiffer, which can help to hide uneven surfaces somewhat better.
I'm not a pro, but I’ve hung both 5/8" fire-rated and 1/2" drywall on ceilings. Honestly, I’d stick with 1/2". It doesn't do a significantly better job of hiding imperfections than 5/8"; the trick is to get your ceiling as flat as possible before you hang anything.
Is that for the fire rating?