Dry wall thickness question

tripower

I am remodeling a typical sized (small/medium) bathroom. Slab floor. What thickness drywall do i use and when do I decide to use a different thickness drywall in one place versus another?

AtlanticWBConst.

use 1/2". It is standard for residential walls.

__________________
- Build Well -

Termite

5/8" is great for ceilings. Hang the ceiling first, then the walls. Hang the top wall sheet tight to the ceiling, and the lower one next.

ozzyu812

Get mold resistant also

Termite

Mold resistant sheetrock is always a good idea in a bathroom.

FYI...You cannot use sheetrock of any kind as a substrate for tile in wet areas, such as walls around a tub or shower. Cementitious backerboard is what's used in those areas.

ozzyu812

I almost said that but I hoping he already knew that.

tripower

I know that I have backerboard for the shower but what do you mean "around" the shower how much around? Also I am going to tile my own shower as opposed to putting in a fiberglass one. For the bottom part of the shower (the drain area), How to I build that myself? The original shower was built, I believe, with sand, a thin layer of concrete, and then ceramic tile (old school). How would I custom build my shower drain these days?

buletbob

I guess I,m still old school, there has been mentioned a product by I believe Kurdy, they make kits for this type of install. I have not had the opportunity to use it yet!! but have read here that most people like it.

tripower

Does mold resistant really offer an advantage over standard drywall? Also, is there anything to use on the studs to make them mold resistant? Does insulation make mold more likely as opposed to letting the space between the studs breath?

Termite

Anytime you have air in a wall and there's even a slight chance that moisture can get back there, there is a chance for mold. Moisture resistant sheetrock is excellent for use in bathrooms. It costs an extra dollar or so per sheet, and hangs and finishes the same.

As for wet areas, you can't use sheetrock as a substrate for tile. You can still use it on the walls above the tile and on the ceiling. Behind your tile or wall panels it is best to use cementitious backerboard. Just slightly overlap your tiles over the sheetrock to hide the joint.

Termite

Not really. If it is an exterior wall, insulate it!

ozzyu812

Standard drywall has paper. The paper does at leastbad things A/holds moisture and B/ provide food for the organisms to eat.
There several products paperless, fiberglass coated etc.
Building shower is not as simple as it seems. Saw a Holmes on Homes episode, it can be a real nightmare if not done right.
This is a little outside my field, I'm a framer not a mudder.

Termite

So does the moisture/mold resistant stuff. Agreed, building a shower is a science and isn't something you want to do before really doing your homework.

tripower

I'm doing my homework now.

dhag

schluter.com has the KERDI products ..... I can't imagine doing anything but they're shower system