If you’re planning on refinishing your wall yourself, which means you’d need to buy, carry and bring Drywall home, you probably would want to know how much Drywall weighs.
The easiest way to calculate the weight of a drywall sheet is by calculating the weight per square foot. For example, the most common 4X8 Drywall has a total surface of 32 ft2 and is a 1/2-inch type. The weight per square foot would be 2.40 lbs/ft2. Does making a total of 76.8 lbs for a 32 ft2 and is 1/2-inch type Drywall.
Especially when you’re by yourself and need to carry everything from one room to another, knowing how much Drywall weighs would help you decide whether you need a second person or not.
Even hanging Drywall in most cases, it’s considered a two-man’s job and takes a considerable amount of time to get the job done. But depending on the type of Drywall you decide to go for; you might also need help carrying it.
Drywall And Its Types: Quick Overview
Before jumping into your new project, it’s probably best to learn a little bit about the types of Drywall. Since each type is different, they would obviously also weigh differently.
To give you a little perspective, below, we have compiled a list of some of the most popular kinds of drywall sheets:
Regular Drywall
In terms of popularity, regular Drywall is on the top list. This type of Drywall is also known as the whiteboard. It’s commonly used in both residential and commercial renovation projects. Plus, you can use it on walls as well as on ceilings. If you want to use regular Drywall in areas such as your bathroom ceiling, you might want to read this article.
Regular Drywall is mostly available in the size of 4×8 and is also sold in pairs, but you can get it in lengths up to 16′ to cover high ceilings. In addition, you can even get 2×2 sheets for smaller repairs. Generally speaking, regular Drywall comes with a thickness of ½ inch, which is not ideal for most commercial buildings.
Cement Board Drywall
In terms of performance, the cement board drywall is undoubtedly the best drywall sheet available in the market. The issue with regular Drywall is that it’s not moisture or mold-resistant. Therefore, these drywall sheets cannot last for too long, especially when they get wet.
Alternatively, the cement board drywall is everything you need in Drywall. It’s durable, strong and resistant to moisture, mold, and mildew. This Drywall is probably the most expensive type of wallboard available out there, but it’s worth every single penny.
The Green Board
The green board is an excellent pick if you have a limited budget but want moisture-resistant Drywall. Just like regular Drywall, the green board is made of gypsum and two layers of paper. However, the paper used in this wallboard is thicker than regular Drywall, making it perfect for places such as garages or basements.
Moreover, the paper used in the green board is coated with wax, offering extra moisture resistance. You can even get the green board with fiberglass mesh – a non-organic material. With this approach, your green board will even reduce mold growth.
The Purple Board
Next, we have the purple board. This one is a specially treated fire- and mold-resistant paper-faced gypsum board that offers extra protection against mildew and mold compared to regular Drywall. The gypsum core is encased in moisture, mold, and mildew-resistant purple paper that is 100% recycled.
The purple board is up to 30% more expensive than the regular Drywall. This is because most purple board products stand up to noise, dents, scuffs, and scratches. It’s still not the ideal Drywall to be used around a fireplace, but its fire-resistant capabilities are still ideal for areas such as the kitchen.
The Blue Board
The blue board is another type of Drywall that deserves a spot on our list. This one is also known as plasterboard as it can be used as a base for plaster applications. To install this Drywall, you need to apply a thin layer of plaster over the entire surface.
Luckily, the paper used in the blue board is absorptive, allowing the plaster finish to stick to the wall better. Mostly, this Drywall is used in older homes to get the look of plaster and lath.
Type X Drywall
Lastly, we have the Type X Drywall or fire-rated Drywall. Now, all drywall types are fire-resistant. However, normally they can only resist fire for up to 30 minutes. So, if your local building code suggests you get one-hour fire-rated Drywall, this one is for you.
Usually, the Type X drywall sheets are used in basements and garages. They are made of fiberglass that can protect your property from intensive fire.
How Much Does Drywall Weigh?
As you can see, different drywall types are made of different materials. So, not every drywall type weighs the same. Generally speaking, the actual weight of a drywall sheet depends upon different factors, such as its thickness and construction.
The most common drywall thicknesses are:
- 1/2-inch Drywall
- 5/8-inch Drywall
- 1/4-inch Drywall
- 3/8-inch Drywall
The following table will represent the approximate weight of these drywall sheets in square feet as well as feet:
| Thickness | Regular Drywall | The Cement Board | The Green Board | The Purple Board | The Blue Board | Type X Drywall |
| 1/2 Inch | 2.40 lbs/ft2 | 2.60 lbs/ft2 | 2.00 lbs/ft2 | 2.08 lbs/ft2 | 1.87 lbs/ft2 | 1.76 lbs/ft2 |
| 5/8 Inch | 3.00 lbs/ft2 | 3.00 lbs/ft2 | 2.50 lbs/ft2 | 2.60 lbs/ft2 | 2.33 lbs/ft2 | 2.20 lbs/ft2 |
| 1/4 Inch | 1.20 lbs/ft2 | 1.90 lbs/ft2 | 1.00 lbs/ft2 | 1.04 lbs/ft2 | 0.93 lbs/ft2 | 0.88 lbs/ft2 |
| 3/8 Inch | 1.80 lbs/ft2 | 2.40 lbs/ft2 | 1.50 lbs/ft2 | 1.56 lbs/ft2 | 1.40 lbs/ft2 | 1.32 lbs/ft2 |
How Do You Calculate The Weight of The Drywall?
The easiest way to calculate the weight of a drywall sheet is by using the weight mentioned above per square foot reference table.
First, you need to find the square foot area of your drywall sheet. The most common size of drywall sheet is 4×8. In that scenario, the square foot area will be 32 ft2. In other words, all you need to do is multiple both dimensions to find the area of a drywall sheet.
Afterward, find the weight per square foot. For instance, if you have 1/2-inch regular Drywall, the weight per square foot will be 2.40 lbs/ft2. Once you’ve found out the area and the weight per square foot, you need to multiply both numbers to find the actual weight.
Based on the example mentioned above, the actual weight of a 4×8 regular drywall sheet would be 76.8 lbs.
Tips To Consider While Handling Drywalls
Drywall sheets are quite brittle. Yes, they can protect your walls and ceilings from moisture, fire, and other hazards, but they are still quite fragile. This is because these sheets are basically gypsum enclosed in two layers of paper.
So, to protect your investment, you must ensure you are carrying and handling drywall sheets properly. This includes bringing them home safely using the right type of transport. Here are some of the most useful tips that you need should keep in mind while handling drywalls:
- Find out the actual weight of the Drywall. This will help you determine how much manpower you need to complete the job.
- Practice makes a man perfect. You should start with small pieces of drywall sheets and then handle the larger ones.
- It’s best if you get your Drywall delivered directly to the installation site. You need to avoid transportation as much as possible.
- Always use drywall jacks and a drywall lift to hang a drywall sheet. You should never use your hands to install Drywall.
- Handing vertical pieces of Drywall is certainly not a piece of cake. So, be extra cautious while hanging these pieces.
- If your drywall sheets are too heavy, ask for help. You don’t have to deadlift with Drywall. Sometimes, a little help can do wonders.
- Lastly, don’t forget to take breaks. You need to avoid overexertion by staying hydrated and taking more frequent breaks.
How Do You Move Drywall Alone?
First of all, it’s not a good idea to carry Drywall on your own. This is not only because it’s quite fragile and heavy, but it also can be quite expensive– especially if you are dealing with larger pieces of drywall sheets. That being said, it’s not an impossible task either.
With the following step-by-step method, you can move Drywall all by yourself:
Step #1 Weight Your Drywall
The first step is knowing how much a drywall sheet weighs! If you have a smaller drywall sheet that is also lightweight, you can use a drywall lift to carry it. You should never use your hand if you are all alone. Moreover, getting help is always a rational decision if the Drywall is heavy.
Step #2 Preparation
If you are feeling confident that you can carry Drywall, you need to do some preparations. During this step, you’ll need to determine how much space you need to move around. Afterward, clear the room to create enough space.
Step #3 Move the Drywall
Lastly, you’ll need to move the Drywall. Never use your bare hand while moving a drywall sheet. You should use a drywall lift – especially if you are moving it independently.
FAQs:
How Much Does A 12-Foot Sheet Of 5/8 Drywall Weight?
Regular Drywall with a thickness of 5/8-inch can weigh around 96 pounds per 10 feet. However, this might differ depending on your sheet construction.
How Much Does 1/4 Inch Drywall Weigh?
The answer to this question depends upon the drywall type and its size. If you have 1/4-inch regular Drywall, it will probably weigh about 48 pounds.
How Heavy Is An 8-Foot Sheet Of Drywall?
If you have a 4×8 foot regular drywall with a thickness of 1/2 inch, it will weigh around 76.8 pounds.