Drywall

Drywall Supplies for Every Room

An Essential Building Material

Drywall is an essential material in the construction of any room. Bedrooms, bathrooms and even the kitchen need drywall boards to create walls and ceilings. Whether you’re doing new drywall projects or need a drywall patch kit, here’s some helpful information on drywall sizes and types.

Drywall Sizes

Drywall panels come in a variety of thicknesses and sizes. The most common size for drywall panels is 4 feet wide by 8 feet long. The thickness may depend on the type of room and even certain building codes.

1/4-inch drywall is used for repairs and to support an existing wall. It’s thin enough to curve and bend as needed.

3/8-inch drywall used to be the common thickness used for interior walls, but it doesn’t offer the same strength that 1/2-inch panels do.

1/2-inch drywall is versatile and commonly used for interior walls in many homes.

5/8-inch drywall is great for ceilings. It’s also ideal for rooms needing soundproofing, such as bedrooms and living areas.

Drywall Types

Standard drywall works well for most interior walls, but there are other types of drywall that are used in certain situations. Mold- and moisture-resistant drywall has a special coating that prevents the growth of mold, making it ideal for humid environments like bathrooms, kitchens and laundry areas. Fire-resistant drywall contains glass fiber and other materials that help it endure flames longer than other types. It’s often found in laundry rooms, stairwells and garages.

All drywall has some soundproofing. Soundproofing drywall has additional gypsum and wood fiber that enhances its soundproofing qualities. This type of drywall is typically used between living spaces and shared walls where additional soundproofing is required. Drywall texture can be added to achieve a specific look or to hide imperfections in the surface.

Backer board, also known as cement board, is a thin layer of concrete with fiberglass mesh. It’s moisture-resistant, so it works great in bathrooms, kitchens and laundry areas.

Drywall Tools

If you plan on hanging panels yourself, there are a variety of drywall tools you’ll need before starting. These include knives, circle cutters and drywall tape reels. You’ll also need joint compound, a hawk to hold the compound, a mud pan and a trowel to spread the compound on the drywall. Joint compound comes in two forms: pre-mixed and powdered.

We also have drywall framing and corner beads to properly hang your panels. You’ll find metal corner beads and options made from vinyl. You’ll also find a variety of sizes of drywall nails, drywall anchors and drywall screws to hang your drywall. A pair of drywall stilts can make reaching higher places easier, so consider those as well.

Drywall Repair

If you’re just looking to repair a crack or hole in your drywall, you might choose a drywall repair kit. These kits have all the drywall supplies you need, such as patches, plaster and a putty knife. Drywall patches come in several different materials, including aluminum, steel and plastic. For more information on how to install drywall or make repairs, check out our article How to Patch and Repair Drywall. You can also learn about other installation topics by reading our articles, including How to Cut Drywall, How to Use Drywall Anchors and How to Mud Drywall.

Whether your do-it-yourself project involves framing out a brand-new room with drywall or just patching a few holes, you’ll find the drywall panels, tools and accessories you need at Lowe’s.