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5/8 or 1/2″ drywall for ceiling

Muteability | Posted in Construction Techniques on October 18, 2009 07:57am

On a detached building 24’x16′. 24″ OC 2×4 ceiling joists.

I’m going to blow cellulose on top of the drywall. Even if I blow R40, that’s only 1.25 lbs/sq ft.

If I double screw the field any concerns with using the thinner sheets?

This is a weight issue not cost. Those big sheets are heavy.

Adam

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Replies

  1. renosteinke | Oct 18, 2009 08:01pm | #1

    With 24" between rafters, I'd reccomend 5/8".

  2. ruffmike | Oct 18, 2009 08:18pm | #2

    Absolutely 5/8" on 24" centers always.

                                Mike

        Small wheel turn by the fire and rod, big wheel turn by the grace of god.

  3. User avater
    IMERC | Oct 18, 2009 08:31pm | #3

    24"oC... 5/8 rock...

     

    Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming

    WOW!!! What a Ride!


    Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

     

    "Some days it's just not worth chewing through the restraints"

  4. mikeys | Oct 18, 2009 08:56pm | #4

    1/2" ceiling board
    http://www.americangypsum.com/products/product_detail.cfm?p_id=135

     http://www.gp.com/BUILD/dealerlocator.aspx?pid=5435



    Edited 10/18/2009 1:58 pm by mikeys

    1. renosteinke | Oct 19, 2009 12:31am | #9

      Thank you! I didn't know there was a product specifically for ceilings!

    2. Muteability | Oct 19, 2009 06:29am | #10

      1/2 inch ceiling board it is. I never noticed ceiling specific board before but a quick look on line and there it was. $29 for a 4x12 sheet at the local building center. Thanks all,Adam

      1. ruffmike | Oct 19, 2009 06:47am | #11

        Is that cost effective compared to a 12' x 5/8" sheet?

        I know you are in Canada, but in California a 12' x 5/8" is around 10 bucks.                            Mike

            Small wheel turn by the fire and rod, big wheel turn by the grace of god.

        1. Muteability | Oct 19, 2009 05:03pm | #13

          Regular 1/2", 4'x12' is $21.50. I'd have to look and see what the price is for 5/8" x12', if it's available. 5/8"x8' is $20.50, 1/2"x8' is 14.00. I would guess if I could find the 5/8x12' the price would be comparable to the ceiling board.Adam

  5. fingersandtoes | Oct 18, 2009 09:36pm | #5

    Ceilings get done with 1/2" ceiling board. About the same weight as regular 1/2" but much stronger.

  6. Westcoast | Oct 18, 2009 09:51pm | #6

    Use 1/2" ceiling board it is stiffer and more ridgid than the 5/8" board.

    1. Oak River Mike | Oct 18, 2009 10:05pm | #7

      Agreed.  We always use 1/2" ceiling board unless there is a definite call for 5/8" as in Type X fire rated.

    2. Zano | Oct 20, 2009 01:19am | #20

      Just may have to wait about a month for the 1/2" ceiling board..it's a special order and not many yards stock it.

      1. Westcoast | Oct 20, 2009 07:06am | #24

        Oh ok, out here it is all that is used unless fire code is prescribed.

  7. JTC1 | Oct 18, 2009 10:36pm | #8

    5/8" on 24" centers - makes a nice ceiling. 1-5/8" screws.

    My area's supply situation, don't know about Calgary:

    I can very occasionally get 1/2" ceiling board, OTOH, can always get 5/8" type X. Pro suppliers here will have 8', 10', 12' and 16' (never been nervy enough to try 16'); BB stocks 8' and 12'.

    When I can get 1/2" ceiling board, it costs more than 5/8" type X, and frequently is not available in longer than 8'.

    5/8" is heavier? - yeah it is, which is why I automatically rent a lift -- goes up easy - very hard to tell from 1/2" on the lift........

    Jim

    Never underestimate the value of a sharp pencil or good light.



    Edited 10/18/2009 3:37 pm ET by JTC1

  8. User avater
    Dinosaur | Oct 19, 2009 08:21am | #12

    Strap it at 16" and use half inch regular rock.

    Dinosaur

    How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
    low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
    foolish men call Justice....

    1. Muteability | Oct 19, 2009 05:13pm | #14

      I only need 8 sheets. The cost difference between the regular with strap vs. ceiling board would only be about 20$. Adam

      1. User avater
        Dinosaur | Oct 19, 2009 05:23pm | #15

        I suggested that because (a) it's not clear whether ceiling board is available from your suppliers, and (b) some rockers prefer to hang ceilings from strapping anyway, because you're screwing into a 2½"-wide strap rather than a 1½"-wide joist. Makes it harder to miss, even working overhead with a crick in yer neck and gyprock dust in yer eyes....

        ;o)

        Dinosaur

        How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....

        1. Muteability | Oct 19, 2009 05:39pm | #16

          If I couldn't find the ceiling board or 12' x5/8, strapping would be the way to go. Thanks for the input.Are the pretty fall color all gone yet in your neck of the woods? I moved from Montreal a couple years ago and miss the fall color change.Adam

          1. User avater
            Dinosaur | Oct 19, 2009 05:46pm | #17

            The maples are mostly bare, but of course there're still leaves on les trembles  so there's patches of gold up on the hills across the lake. Warming up nicely today; supposed to hit +11.

            Skiing opens in 3-4 weeks, I think. The snowmakers will get their seasonal recall to the mountain on Nov. 2.

            Dinosaur

            How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....

          2. Muteability | Oct 20, 2009 02:09am | #22

            High up in the mountains, we get the larches changing in late Sept. Similar to the Tamarck in your area. Valleys look very nice with a carpet of gold, but nothing like the reds the maples give you. They started to blow snow two weeks ago during our early cold snap. The leaves weren't even off the trees yet.Adam

          3. User avater
            Dinosaur | Oct 20, 2009 02:50am | #23

            That mountain obviously does not belong to Intrawest, LOL.

            We start blowing 'snow' a week before scheduled opening, no matter how warm it is that week nor how cold it was before that. Can't bring the guys in early; that costs money not in the authorised budget.

             

            I don't really care; I use my seniority to spend as much of my time as possible in the few places we don't blow that artificial crud--glades, a few old trails.

            Dinosaur

            How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....

  9. Piffin | Oct 19, 2009 09:08pm | #18

    are you seriously trying to use a 2x4 ceiling joist to span 16'???

     

     

    Welcome to the
    Taunton University of
    Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
     where ...
    Excellence is its own reward!

  10. Piffin | Oct 19, 2009 09:08pm | #19

    Or do you mean maybe that you have trusses with a 2x4 bottom chord?

     

     

    Welcome to the
    Taunton University of
    Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
     where ...
    Excellence is its own reward!

    1. Muteability | Oct 20, 2009 02:04am | #21

      I guess bottom chord of the trusses would be more precise. Peaked roof with about a 3/12 pitch. The garage has probably been there 35+years. Pretty dry here so snow load is minimal.Adam

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