Drywall thickness for 24” stud spacing

[TimberMan]

I need to decide if I should go with 1/2” or 5/8” drywall for my barn which has 24” stud spacing and 19.2” ceiling joist spacing. (edited to correct ceiling spacing typo)

Let me you your thoughts!

Thx

 

[mike93lx]

29.2? You mean 19.2, correct? Never heard of 29.2

If it is actually 29.2, you should use strapping.

For the walls, 1/2 is fine at 24oc

 

[logical]

Definately 5/8 for the ceiling. The walls will generally be fine with 1/2 but depending on climate, insulation, HVAC, etc...it might have slight imperfections.

 

[TimberMan]

typo on the ceiling...yes it is 19.2

 

[mike93lx]

typo on the ceiling...yes it is 19.2

I'd run 5/8 if going direct to joists. To do 1/2, you'd want to strap at 16oc. Check the bottom plane of the joists for flatness before you start.

 

[TimberMan]

Thx folks.

 

[nora45]

With 24” wall studs and 19.2” ceiling joists, I’d definitely go with 5/8” drywall. It’s stiffer and sags less, especially on ceilings, plus it's more durable overall. Worth the extra cost for long-term strength.

 

[pcmeiners]

Working with Sheetrock for over 60 years. 5/8 type X is fire rated, hides issues with beams bowing, far easier to tape, less sanding, far superior to 1/2" except for the extra cost/weight, especially with 24" on center studs. May give you a lower insurance premium.

 

[atch]

1/2" on ceiling with joists 24" OC is guaranteed to bow downward between joists over time. And not much time at that. I know from actual experience.

All ceiling drywall that I've done in the past 30 years has been 5/8" with joists 16" OC. Never a problem.

 

[Scotto]

Working with Sheetrock for over 60 years. 5/8 type X is fire rated, hides issues with beams bowing, far easier to tape, less sanding, far superior to 1/2" except for the extra cost/weight, especially with 24" on center studs. My give you a lower insurance premium.

I'm curious, how is it easier to tape/sand? Thanks!

 

[pcmeiners]

With 5/8" the Sheetrock does not show the bowing in the beams nearly as much as 1/2" so there is less work in covering the seams (taping) and less overall waviness showing up when painted. With 5/8" the screws do not pull in the Sheetrock nearly as much in when there is a beam with a bow which is concave. If I were to do an entire home or garage in Sheetrock all surfaces would be covered with 5/8".

"1/2" on ceiling with joists 24" OC is guaranteed to bow downward between joists over time. And not much time at that. I know from actual experience."

 

[micromind]

I guess it depends on the climate.....around here, it's pretty dry most of the time. I've seen hundreds of sheets of 1/2" on walls and trusses spaced at 24" and have yet to see any of it sag at all.

The house I built 28 years ago and still vivid often has 1/2" and 24" walls and trusses and the walls/ceilings are still flat as can be.

 

[BillK]

I guess it depends on the climate.....around here, it's pretty dry most of the time. I've seen hundreds of sheets of 1/2" on walls and trusses spaced at 24" and have yet to see any of it sag at all.

The house I built 28 years ago and still vivid often has 1/2" and 24" walls and trusses and the walls/ceilings are still flat as can be.

I was going to say the same thing but only from my own experience. My house was built in 1978 and the ceiling trusses are on 24" centers with 1/2" drywall and they are fine.

 

[PCustoms]

With 5/8" the Sheetrock does not show the bowing in the beams nearly as much as 1/2" so there is less work in covering the seams (taping) and less overall waviness showing up when painted. With 5/8" the screws do not pull in the Sheetrock nearly as much in when there is a beam with a bow which is concave. If I were to do an entire home or garage in Sheetrock all surfaces would be covered with 5/8".

Only downside I've found is door/window jambs are sized for 7/16 sheathing and 1/2 drywall.

Nothing a little finish carpentry can't fix

 

[Bert_]

On walls, I have come over to to the group that says 5/8 always, and that's in a house. 5/8 is so much more solid.