Drywall is a commonly used building material in construction projects. It’s a type of board made of gypsum and is used to create walls and ceilings. One of the most important factors to consider when working with drywall is its weight. Knowing the weight of drywall is essential to ensure that the structure can support it and to determine how much material is needed for the project.
The weight of drywall can vary depending on its thickness and size. For instance, a 5/8 inch thick sheet of Type X drywall can weigh between 70 to 105 pounds, depending on the sheet’s size. To calculate the exact weight of a USG Sheetrock Brand Type X sheet of 5/8″ drywall, one can multiply the total square feet of the sheet by 2.2 pounds per square foot.
How Much Does Drywall Weigh Per Square Foot?
The weight of drywall is an important factor in construction, and it varies depending on the type and thickness of the drywall. For instance, a typical sheet of Type X 5/8″ drywall from USG weighs 2.2 pounds per square foot, which is the most common size and thickness in commercial construction. However, every different type of drywall product weighs a slightly different weight.
The good news is that each manufacturer calculates the weight per square foot and issues the statistics in the product data submittals. The hard part is identifying the manufacturer and each specified product, then finding the technical data in the product submittals and identifying the drywall weight.
For instance, 1/2″ USG UltraLight Sheetrock and 5/8″ Firecode Type X Drywall are some of the most common gypsum products on the market. According to the manufacturer, 1/2″ USG UltraLight Sheetrock weighs approximately 1.6 pounds per square foot, while 5/8″ Firecode Type X Drywall weighs approximately 2.2 pounds per square foot.
It’s worth noting that there are other types of drywall and gypsum board products available on the market, and each one has a different weight per square foot. Therefore, it’s important to check the manufacturer’s product data submittals to determine the exact weight of the drywall.
How Much Does a 1/2” Sheet of Drywall Weigh?
For residential walls, 1/2″ drywall is the most common thickness. USG Sheetrock Brand 1/2″ drywall weighs 1.6 pounds per square foot. The weight of a 1/2″ regular gypsum drywall sheet depends on the size of the sheet. The typical sheets come in 32, 40, and 48 square feet. Therefore, the weight of a 1/2″ regular gypsum drywall sheet is 52, 64, and 77 pounds, respectively.
It is essential to note that the weight of drywall varies depending on the thickness and type. For instance, a 5/8″ sheet of drywall, which is used to achieve fire ratings, typically weighs a little over 70 pounds. Lightweight drywall, on the other hand, weighs about 28-30 pounds per square foot.
The table below shows the weight per sheet of different types of gypsum drywall panels.
| Type of Gypsum Drywall Panel | Weight per Sheet |
|---|---|
| 1/2″ Regular Gypsum Drywall | 52-77 pounds |
| 5/8″ Type X Gypsum Drywall | 70-100 pounds |
| Lightweight Drywall | 28-30 pounds |
As seen from the table, the weight per sheet of drywall varies depending on the type and thickness. It is essential to consider the weight of drywall when planning a construction project to ensure that the structure can support the weight.
Why Do We Need to Know the Weight of Drywall?
Knowing the weight of drywall is essential for several reasons. These include transporting drywall, stocking and stacking drywall, and installing drywall.
1. Transporting Drywall
Trucks carrying enormous loads of drywall pass through tunnels, over bridges, and on top of freshly dug construction sites. It is critical to know the total weight of drywall on each truck, which can range from 30,000 to 40,000 pounds or more. This information is important for ensuring the safety of the driver, the truck, and other road users.
2. Stocking and Stacking Drywall
Drywall must be stocked and stacked on each floor of a project in a centralized area before it can be hung on the walls and ceilings. Structural engineers need to know how much weight is going to be resting on the floor of their project so they can engineer accordingly. It is important to ensure that the weight of the drywall does not exceed the load capacity of the floor.
3. Installing Drywall
Drywall hanging is a labor-intensive task that requires human labor. Workers hang gypsum panels all day long, which can be physically demanding. If the weight of drywall sheets can be reduced, it can make a significant difference in the efficiency and productivity of workers. For instance, a reduction in weight from 2.2 pounds per square foot to 1.8 pounds per square foot, like the USG Lightweight drywall product, can make one sheet almost 18% lighter. This can help workers hang more sheets per day, making them less tired and less worn out for the next day of work.
In conclusion, knowing the weight of drywall is crucial for ensuring the safety of the driver, the truck, and other road users during transportation, for ensuring that the weight of the drywall does not exceed the load capacity of the floor when stocking and stacking, and for improving the efficiency and productivity of workers during installation.
How Much Does UltraLight Drywall Weigh?
UltraLight drywall from Sheetrock Brand by USG is a popular alternative to standard drywall due to its lighter weight. It weighs nearly 18% less than standard drywall, making it easier to handle and install. Ecosmart Firecode 30 5/8″ drywall, on the other hand, weighs 1.7 lbs/sq. ft. and is not designed for rated walls. For partition or ceiling that requires type X drywall, USG 5/8″ Firecode 30 is recommended. These sheets meet ASTM C1396 and weigh 1.8 pounds per square foot. Using UltraLight drywall can save the backs of drywall hanging crews and make installation easier.
Does Fire Rated Drywall Weigh the Same as Regular Drywall?
Fire-rated drywall typically weighs around 5% more than regular, non-rated drywall due to the added glass fiber reinforcement in the gypsum core. This reinforcement is specifically formulated to resist flame spread. According to USG, a standard 5/8″ type X fire-rated drywall sheet weighs approximately 2.2 pounds per square foot.
How Much Does Soundproof Drywall Weigh?
National Gypsum’s Gold Bond Soundbreak XP is a popular soundproof drywall product. The Soundbreak XP drywall panels have a high-density, acoustically enhanced sound-damping gypsum core with moisture and mold-resistant recycled purple paper. The 1/2″ Gold Bond Soundbreak XP board weighs 2.3 pounds per square foot, while the 5/8″ Soundbreak XP drywall weighs 2.7 lbs / square foot.
How Much Does Moisture Resistant Drywall Weigh?
Moisture-resistant drywall is designed to resist moisture and mold growth in areas with high humidity. The weight of moisture-resistant drywall can vary depending on the type and thickness of the product. For example, the USG “Mold Tough” product weighs 1.8 lbs/ sq. ft. for the 1/2″ glass-mat, while National Gypsum Gold Bond’s “eXP Interior Extreme” product weighs 2 pounds per square foot for the 1/2″.
How Much Does a 12′ Sheet of 5/8″ Drywall Weigh?
A 12-foot-long sheet of 5/8-inch thick drywall usually weighs around 105 pounds. This is because it weighs 2.2 pounds per square foot, and there are 48 square feet in one sheet. This means that the weight of one sheet of drywall is exactly 105.6 pounds.
If you prefer to measure in yards, then it would be 5.33 square yards times 19.8 pounds per yard, which also equals 105.6 pounds per sheet.
To calculate the weight of a sheet of drywall in inches, you can use the formula 6,912 square inches times 0.0153 pounds per square inch, which also equals 105.6 pounds per sheet.
It’s important to note that lifting a 4′ x 12′ sheet of 5/8″ drywall by oneself is a challenging task.
Some manufacturers may have different weights per square foot for their drywall products. For example, National Gypsum and CertainTeed both provide weight per square foot information for their drywall products.
How Many Sheets of Drywall in a Stack?
The number of sheets of drywall that can be stacked together depends on the thickness of the sheets. A stack of 5/8″ drywall has 26 sheets. In the factory, two drywall sheets are attached at each end with thick paper for easy handling. Before picking up one sheet by hand, the paper must be torn off each end to separate the two sheets.
On the other hand, the typical stack of 1/2″ drywall has 32 sheets. Home improvement stores like Home Depot have several stacks of drywall on top of one another with dunnage in between. The drywall stacks are separated with spaces so a forklift can lift each stack without damaging the sheets. Even though a drywall stack is of different lengths, they are all stacked with the same number of sheets.
It is important to note that drywall sheets of different sizes and thicknesses will have varying weights. For instance, a typical 1/2-inch thick sheet weighs around 51.2 pounds while a 5/8-inch board will weigh 70.4 pounds. Drywall sheets vary by thickness and weight, with some sheets weighing less than 55 pounds and others weighing more than 120 pounds.
In conclusion, the number of sheets of drywall that can be stacked together depends on the thickness of the sheets. A stack of 5/8″ drywall has 26 sheets, while the typical stack of 1/2″ drywall has 32 sheets. It is important to keep in mind the weight of the sheets when transporting and installing them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Weight of Different Sizes and Types of Drywall
Drywall is a widely used construction material that is sold in various sizes and types. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about the weight of drywall.
What is the weight of a 4×12 sheet of 5/8 drywall?
A 4×12 sheet of 5/8 drywall weighs approximately 105 pounds. This type of drywall is commonly used in commercial construction due to its high fire resistance and soundproofing properties.
How much does 1/2 lightweight drywall weigh?
1/2 lightweight drywall weighs around 1.2 pounds per square foot, which means a 4×8 sheet would weigh approximately 38.4 pounds. Lightweight drywall is easier to handle and install than standard drywall, making it a popular choice for DIY projects.
What is the weight of UltraLight drywall?
UltraLight drywall weighs about 25% less than standard drywall, making it one of the lightest types of drywall available. A 4×8 sheet of 1/2 UltraLight drywall weighs around 29 pounds.
How much does a 4×8 sheet of 1/2 drywall weigh?
A 4×8 sheet of 1/2 drywall weighs approximately 52 pounds. This is the most common size and type of drywall used in residential construction.
How much does 3/8 drywall weigh?
3/8 drywall weighs around 1.1 pounds per square foot, which means a 4×8 sheet would weigh approximately 35.2 pounds. This type of drywall is thinner and lighter than standard 1/2 drywall and is used for curved walls and ceilings.
What is the weight of 1/2 x 54 x 12 drywall?
A 1/2 x 54 x 12 sheet of drywall weighs approximately 108 pounds. This type of drywall is used for taller walls and ceilings and is less commonly used than standard 4×8 sheets.
Drywall weight can vary based on the size, type, and thickness of the drywall. It is important to consider the weight of drywall when planning a construction project to ensure safe handling and installation.
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