sheet rock 1/2 or 5/8?

[truckman5000]

Hi, im starting to finish off my attached garage.

The common wall is 5/8 drywall. The rest is rough frame. No living space above.

Im not pulling permits, but the guy im having do the sheet rock. Says it needs to be 5/8. By code.

Since everything is set up for 1/2" id like to just do 1/2" thoughts?

BTW. i dont know codes (havent checked) but my fathers garage was just built. And its the same way mine is. With the common wall sheet rocked nothing else.

 

[Scott r c]

Here in Oklahoma its 1/2" residential and 5/8" commercial. I would do 1/2" especially if your not getting a permit.

 

[HoosierMark]

In Indiana it is 5/8 where it adjoins living space and 1/2 inch elsewhere in the garage. The 5/8 apparently serves as the fire break and the others is cosmetic. Call a local lumber yard who handles drywall, they will know what is required.

 

[Durka]

Same here. - In MI it's 5/8 if the garage is attached to the house. Just the living space wall. It's to aid in fire stop. You also need to have fire-stop incorporated into the framing on some builds.

 

[RustCollector]

Typically (in Ca) ceilings are 5/8 on 24" oc joist. Walls -5/8" that abut to living space for a 1 hr fire rating. If your joist are more than 16" oc then use 5/8" on the lid and 1/2" on the walls. If you want 1/2" on the lid you can install RC (hat) channel perpendicular to your joist for screwing attachment. Keep in mind the weight factor, if you only have 2x4 ceiling joist then go with the 1/2 inch.Check with a local GC and he should be able to advise you for code requirements in your area.

 

[Architorture]

I believe mass uses the 2009 IRC which requires the following

From the residence and attic
Not less than 1⁄2-inch gypsum board or equivalent applied to the garage side

From all habitable rooms above the garage
Not less than 5⁄8-inch Type X gypsum board or equivalent

Structure(s) supporting floor/ceiling assemblies used for separation required by this section
Not less than 1⁄2-inch gypsum board or equivalent

 

[truckman5000]

ok, thanks guys. Mainly i just wanted to do it correctly. So it looks like 1/2 is fine. And i would think any sheet rock is better than none. Code wise.

 

[Mustang51js]

Here it's 5/8 wall and double 5/8 for ceilings and walls next to living quarters,it's all for fire

 

[911mike]

I'm in Michigan and we had to have double 5/8 on the common wall. In the rest of the garage 5/8 on the ceiling and 1/2 on the walls.

 

[dogdog]

just do 5/8 all around (celling and wall) not that much differences in price of material that would break your bank. The wall comes out more rigid with 5/8. That little 1/8 differences actually is lot more stronger. also it doesn't feel like it wants to buckle and puncture when you lean on it. I did my first room with 1/2 that was a mistake. the 2nd one with 5/8 it's a world of difference. Mudding wise it is still the same.

 

[Stuart in MN]

If you use 5/8" only on the wall, I believe it will have to go all the way up to the roof on that common wall to provide the correct fire separation.

 

[tcianci]

I believe mass uses the 2009 IRC which requires the following

From the residence and attic
Not less than 1⁄2-inch gypsum board or equivalent applied to the garage side

From all habitable rooms above the garage
Not less than 5⁄8-inch Type X gypsum board or equivalent

Structure(s) supporting floor/ceiling assemblies used for separation required by this section
Not less than 1⁄2-inch gypsum board or equivalent

This is correct. I'm a licensed contractor in MA

 

[Forest Road]

I know of 2 homeowners who didn't pull permits for large projects.

House #1 went up for sale and had an open house. Bldg inspector had suspicions before sale. Went to the open house and somehow ordered all walls opened to expose pipes and wires, which are date stamped.

House # 2 had a fire. It was contained. But still caused considerable damage. Insurance companies first stop was town hall to check past permits. No permits in 10+ years. Claim denied!

Both homeowners were out big money because they wanted to save a buck. It's just not worth it. Good luck to ya.

 

[mobiledynamics]

5/8 anyday everyday firecode.

Much more ridgid than 1/2. Check it out at the local orange yourself. you can feel the difference

 

[csp]

I would suspect that since it's an attached garage, the areas where type X is required for fire reasons have already been completed.

My garage had the attached wall drywalled with type X before I could get the certificate of occupancy. None of the ceiling or other walls were finished and I could have installed any thickness of my choice.

I also did not have to pull a permit to hang drywall on the walls that were just framed at the time the house was built. It's not finished living space.