Fire rated drywall vs moisture resistant drywall?

[jbadjones]

Howdy folks. I am getting ready to drywall my garage. It is an attached garage and there are two walls connecting to the inside of the home, one exterior wall and then of course the garage door. The garage is not heated or cooled.

I live in Louisiana where it gets very humid so that makes me think I should go with moisture/mold resistant drywall, but then I am being pulled in different directions telling me that code requires 5/8" fire rated drywall. I have been told two different things by two different reputable sources which has me pulling my hair out. The garage was lined with pegboard which I have ripped out. I'm insulating and adding drywall to be more aesthetically pleasing and to add value to the home for the chance that I do sell it. Anyone have any recommendations?

 

[LB-1911]

Give this product a look -

SHEETROCK® BRAND MOLD TOUGH® PANELS FIRECODE® X​

Sheetrock® Brand Mold Tough® Panels Firecode® X | USG

5/8 in. (15.9 mm) Type X panels with moisture and mold resistance for wall and ceiling applications

www.usg.com

 

[rlitman]

Fire rated X is not mutually exclusive with mold resistance. The X fire rating comes from 5/8" thickness, and fiberglass strands within the gypsum. The mold resistance is in how the surface is treated.

 

[TRWham]

Despite the common and persistent myth, there is no IRC requirement for anything more than 1/2" drywall for attached garage walls. There may be a different local requirement, however, or you may feel more comfortable using type X, but 1/2" gypsum and a 20 minute door is all that is generally required. If the space above is habitable, then 5/8" Type X is required on the ceiling.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I don't care what codes says ! The wall between the garage and the living area should be DOUBLED 1/2" sheetrock with no overlapping seams. It must run from the floor the rafters.

 

[Neggy]

What you are up against is gas infiltration (carbon monoxide) and putting up a fire barrier between the garage and the living quarters.

The paper on the drywall is what supports mold growth, you need something that is treated to make the paper incapable of being food for the mold.

Sheetrock® Brand Mold Tough® Panels Firecode® X are mold and moisture resistant and are rated for garage/living space separation​

Sheetrock® Brand Mold Tough® Panels Firecode® X | USG

5/8 in. (15.9 mm) Type X panels with moisture and mold resistance for wall and ceiling applications

www.usg.com

​

 

[yeldogt]

I always use 5/8 rock for my projects -- it makes for a better house. Like a lot of things today -- product lines have grown. You could always get 5/8 greenboard for areas needing some moisture resistance. Now they make products that list fire code information -- and other that don't. The last I asked the firecode listed product is for commercial .... regular 5/8 is fine for residential. Youe area may be different. They also have a blue board product .... my last project had a purple that they called "premium" ... looked the same.

 

[Walkers]

I am surprised houses in Louisiana would actually burn. Every timeI have been there I felt wet the entire time!