Skip to content

5/8″ VS 1/2″ Drywall: Things You Need To Know

58″ vs 12″ drywall

Are you going to construct the drywall? Okay, what matters more for you? While constructing the drywall, many things are considered choosing the perfect one for your home or building. Its material is important to consider for durability and consistent performance, but the thickness of your drywall is one of the essential factors.

Two popular drywall thicknesses are 5/8 “and 1/ 2 “, but which one is better to choose for your building. We have wanted drywall that protects us from heat and cold and also protects us from noise. So to make the right decision about the drywall thickness, stay here to learn about 5/8 “and 1/ 2 “drywall.

Why do I Need to Consider the Thickness of Drywall?

Why do I Need to Consider the Thickness of Drywall

Before selecting the right thickness level of drywall for your home or commercial buildings, you need to decide about thickness due to several reasons.

Temperature

Temperature is an essential factor; your too cold or hot environment could badly affect your inside environment. So only the right thickness of the drywall could protect you from the temperature effect.

Safety

The safety of your inside items is also essential; when you have strong drywall of heavy thickness, it is hard to break. It also reduces the risk of theft.

Noise protection

Only enough and right drywall thickness could protect you from noise.  It is essential when you are in a populated area where noise is a major issue.

Durability

Durability of your drywall is also connected with the thickness level of the drywall. If you want a long lifespan, then it is better to get a higher thickness.

5/8″ vs 1/2″ Drywall- Comparison

58″ vs 12″ Drywall Comparison

The right choice of drywall thickness may vary depending on your purposes, but here is a detailed comparison of 5/8 “and 1/ 2 “drywall to assist you in deciding a better one for you.

1/2 Inch Drywall

½ inched drywall is widely used for residential properties for ceilings and walls. It is a standard type of drywall that is compatible with most residential projects.

You have the flexibility of having 1/2-inch drywall because you can use it for steel and wood frames.

5/8 Inch Drywall

If your purpose is to choose the right thickness options for your commercial property, there is no better choice than 5/8-inch drywall that is good as the firewall drywall. It not just protects your inside from a warm and cold environment but also is a greater solution in a noisy area.

It also provides enough strength to your ceilings when installed in ceilings. You may find it a little heavier than you may not think a better choice for the residential properties, and it is also very expensive than the 1/2-inch drywall.

Features Comparison

Features Comparison

Insulation

Insulation is necessary to keep your room inside the environment moderate. In comparison, a 5/8 inches wall offers better insulation than the 1/2-inch drywall.

Water resistance

There is no doubt that 1/2-inch drywall and 5/ 8 inches drywall are the best water resistor and protect against water leakage issues. But a 5/8 inches drywall has more resistance against water than 1 /2-inch drywall.

Fire resistance

You also need safety from fire risks, especially in your commercial properties; in comparison, a 5/ 8 inches drywall offers better resistance against fire than 1/2-inch drywall.

Cost

The cost comparison is also necessary; on the comparison, 5/ 8 inches drywall was found to be much more expensive than 1 / 2-inch drywall. You can only choose 5 /8 inches when you have enough budgets.

Versatile use

You may use both drywalls according to your choice, but on the comparison, we found 5 /8 inches drywall more flexible than 1 / 2-inch drywall.

The reason is that you have options to use 5/ 8 inches of drywall at all types of commercial places and can use it for residential purposes too.

But the 1/2-inch drywall is only compatible with residential property and not a good choice for commercial use.

What are the Advantages and Disadvantages: 5/8″ vs 1/2″ Drywall

Advantages and Disadvantages Drywall

5/8” Drywall- Highlights

Pros

  • Durable
  • Highly Resistive against water and fire
  • Best to use for commercial use
  • You can also use it for residential places
  • Better insulation and protection
  • Greater resistance against noise

Cons

  • Very expensive
  • A heavy option that may not be a better choice for residential purpose
  • Need a strong base for support; otherwise, installation could be riskier for residential purposes

1/2” Drywall- Highlights

Pros

  • Low durability
  • Compatible to use for residential properties
  • Less expensive option
  • Greater resistance against temperature and water
  • Good insulation

Cons

  • Not suitable for commercial use
  • Low insulation may affect inside temperature

Conclusion

We need to install drywall for protection, insulation, and protection from noise. After material choices, their thickness is also an essential feature to consider.

Among 5/ 8 and 1 / 2 inch drywall, 5/8-inch drywall is a good option for commercial purposes. If you have a good budget and strong base, you can also use it for residential purposes. But 1 / 2-inch drywall is also suitable for residential properties. So if you have a low budget or for the residential property, then 1/2-inch drywall may be a good choice; otherwise 5 / 8 inches drywall is a better option.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *