You’ve just started a drywall project and are unsure if the sheets are sold in pairs or what you need to know before getting started. You’re not alone.

Drywall is only sold in pairs of two sheets. You cannot buy Drywall as a single sheet. They are mostly not shipped on panels but as a bundle, making it difficult to carry them yourself.

Depending on your project, the size or the amount of Drywall you need to buy will change. Many people don’t know this, but most buy too little or too many sheets.

Is Drywall Sold In Two Sheets?

Yes, it is. In fact, you can only buy it in two-sheet form. Drywalls are generally sold in 4x8ft panels (but can be bought in sizes) attached in pairs of two facing each other and bonded by paper strips to hold them in place. Most people tend to have difficulties carrying them due to their size, weight, and dimensions. And inevitably also have a hard time bringing them home.

How Is Drywall Sold?

Drywalls are sold in different levels of thickness and quality. You can also find different types of Drywall that are designed for specific areas of your house, such as the garage or basement. 

There are 5 basic categories of Drywall you can choose from. Some are known, such as the green board or purple board Drywall.

Standard

Most commonly used inside residential construction in almost any project. Compared to other types of Drywall, it has no special design features. 

• It can be used for walls and ceilings.
• In some cases, also to finish Basements. 

Moisture Resistant

Perfect for areas that are prone to moisture or water, With its paperless backing and extra coating, it’s the perfect moisture-resistant Drywall.

• Perfect for places such as kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, and basements. 
• Mostly used for specific high moisture areas such as the shower ceiling, where the rest of the room is finished with standard Drywall. 

Mold Resistant

Usually used in very moist areas. Thanks to its special coating and paperless backing, it can prevent the build-up of mold. This Drywall can also be used against moisture but does not guarantee it. 

• Ideally used for bathrooms, kitchens,  laundry rooms, and humid garages. 

Fire Resistant

This extra-thick Drywall is made of glass fiber, making it the perfect choice for rooms such as utility rooms, rooms with furnaces or wood stoves, and garages where fire outbreak is the most common. 

• This Drywall prevents fire from spreading and slows it also down.
  Generates less smoke than traditional drywall. If it does catch fire, it doesn’t smoke as much as the other Drywall on the market. 
• It’s probably the most required by building codes, especially for commercial buildings. 

Soundproof

Ideally used for walls where noise travels easily through walls. It’s one of the thickest Drywall on the market because it has two gypsum layers glued together. Together with noise dampening adhesive, it’s the ideal noise dampening Drywall one can buy. 

• Thanks to its noise-dampening core, it can prevent noise from traveling through walls. 
• If you have drywall over drywall to solve your noise problem, this would be the ideal Drywall to replace it with. 

Here are the different sizes of drywalls on the market.

1. ¼ inch

This dimension is not only the most popular option for most home projects but also the most affordable one. It’s the lowest thickness range and is best suited for curved walls or if you found out that they previously used plaster for covering a plastered wall. They weigh only 38 pounds but, in some cases, even less. 

Unfortunately, they are also susceptible to breaking or bending at the slightest pressure, so they should be handled with care. For large projects, this is the best option to save costs.

2.  ½ inch

The ½-inch thickness is suitable for different wall projects but can be used for ceilings too. Alongside the ¼-inch option, this one is also commonly used for residential projects. They are more expensive than the ¼-inch option but not as expensive as the 3/8-inch option. You can also use them for steel and wooden frames.

3. 3/8 inch

The 3/8 inch frame is the perfect option for creating partitions because it’s thicker. This option is recommended for covering wall depressions or areas where worn-out plasters are no more.

4. 5/8 inch

This is the fourth drywall option you’ll find in the market. This is the option mostly used for commercial applications and construction sites. It’s the thickest range and is also called a firewall. You can use this option for soundproofing a garage or studio. 5/8 inch is ideal for walls but not ceilings due to its weight. 

If you use it for ceilings, the weight will cause it to sag. Deciding to use it for your home is a matter of choice but note that they are more expensive and heavier than the other three options.

When reviewing all four, before deciding on the one to buy, you should also consider the insulation properties of the materials and other protection features too. Reviewing the thickness alone is not a smart move. 

Thicker drywalls may cost more, but they offer extra benefits like moisture and fire resistance. They are also more effective at trapping sound due to their insulation properties. 

Here are the drywalls to choose from based on different factors.

5. ¼ inch

If price is a big deal, ¼-inch options are ideal. They don’t cost much; you can buy several sheets for a large area and still save money. This is a good option for hot conditions and residential properties.

6. ½ inch

This level of thickness is good for residential properties and provides some protection from low temperatures. This option is thicker than the ¼ option with insulation and anti-warping properties.

7. 3/8 inch

This option is ideal for kitchens, laundry rooms, or any area that is vulnerable to water damage and humidity. However, it’s also more expensive than the ¼ and ½ options. In most cases, it’s money well spent because it’ll work well to protect your walls and give your room a facelift.

8. 5/8 inch

Best for garages and commercial projects. The ideal option for water and fire resistance. Great for keeping rooms warm.

Can You Buy One Piece Drywall?

Drywall ls are sold in a pair of two pieces merged by a strip. While you can buy a single pair of two, you cannot buy a single drywall sheet. Even though these sheets have different levels of thickness, all of them are sold in a pair of two sheets.

How Much Is A Single Sheet Of Drywall?

Here is the price of drywall sheets.

For the typical range, the price will be between $12-$90, depending on the thickness or the quality. This price is for a 4x8ft panel. The national average price range is $15 per 4x8ft panel.

When preparing for a project, knowing the price of sheets is not the only cost you should prepare for. You should also prepare for the overall installation cost (in case you decide to hire a professional). This will involve budgeting for other accessories that you will use. To get it right, consider doing the following.

• Measure the square foot by multiplying the height by the width of the wall you plan to cover with drywall. Then divide the figure by 32 for 4×8 foot sheets or 48 for 4×12 foot sheets. Doing this will help you decide how many drywall panels you will need to buy.
• Include the cost of at least ½ gallon of compound glue for every 100 square feet of ground
• Include the cost of at least 40ft drywall tape for every 100 square feet
• Include the cost of drywall screws. Make sure to go for anti-rust Drywall screws if you live in a very humid or wet area. You will need at least 3 pounds of screws for every 1000ft.

The overall cost will depend on the quality of materials you use and how many of each item, but you should budget between $200-$300 for every 12x12ft space. You should also plan for extra costs like a rose in the prices of materials, the need for extra materials, off-cuts, waste, corners, and other factors. 

Furthermore, the quality and thickness of your panels will determine the overall cost. If you decide to use a 3/8 inch drywall instead of ¼ or ½ inch drywall, your budget will increase because 3/8 inch sheets are more expensive.

Note: The above cost estimation breakdown gives you a good idea of how much a drywall installation will cost you and should not be taken as an accurate figure. If you wish to know how many Drywall sheets a 1200 Square feet house would need, read this ultimate guide.

FAQs:

How Much Does It Cost To Drywall A 12×12 Room?

A 12×12 room will attract an installation cost of $1.50 – $3.50 per square foot. But a few factors will influence the final price, like the quality of drywall you use, ceiling height and finishing material, or the type of Drywall you decide to use.

The average cost of cheap drywall is $0.50 – $0.80 per square foot. If you then factor in labor cost, you may spend between $600 – $1700 to cover a 12×12 ft room. Note that the cost of materials varies from location to location.

How Many Drywall Sheets Do I Need?

To know the number of drywall sheets you need, divide the total square foot of the room by 32 for 4×8 sheets and 48 by 4×12 sheets. Whichever figure you get, multiply it by the number of sheets you need, then multiply the sheets by the price or unit. This will let you know how many sheets you need.

How Many Sheets Are In A Bundle Of Drywall?

Drywalls are mostly not shipped on panels but as a bundle. These bundles are then also paired to prevent multiple carriers. The range of sheets per bundle varies between 40-100 sheets per bundle.