Based on where you are, your area’s building regulations may require the installation of waterproof drywall. Often referred to as green board, this kind of drywall is strongly advised for parts of a room that are susceptible to moisture.
The price of drywall ranges from $12 – $20. Moisture-resistant drywall costs $14 – $18 per panel. You will pay $0.40 – $0.50 per foot to install it. It is more expensive than standard drywall. While it is moisture-resistant, it is not fully waterproof.
There are many types of drywall that you can install in different parts of the home. You may also need specialized drywall depending on the weather in your region.
| Description | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Moisture-resistant drywall cost | $14 - $18 per panel |
| Cost to install moisture-resistant drywall | $0.40 - $0.50 per foot |
Here are some of the notable features of the green board.
Moisture resistant
The most prominent feature of green board drywall is its moisture resistance. It means that this type of drywall handles moisture better than standard drywall. Hence, it is installed in areas with high moisture levels.
It cannot be installed outdoors or in showers since it is not waterproof.
Thicker than standard drywall
Green board is thicker than regular drywall. The extra thickness provides its moisture resistance capabilities.
The thickness on the green board comes from wax infused in the material used to make the drywall panel.
However, exposure to water makes it weak and it tears down easily. Therefore, it should be installed in areas of moisture and not water.
Not fire resistant
Moisture-resistant drywall is not fire resistant. If the building code in your area requires you to install fire-resistant drywall, the green board will be useless. It may be the same thickness as fireproof drywall, but it is not fire resistant.
Fireproof drywall slows down the spread of fire. However, wax that is used in moisture-resistant drywall will melt when exposed to fire or heat. Consequently, the fire will spread fast if you use moisture-resistant drywall.
Durability
Green board lasts longer than standard drywall. Moisture-resistant drywall is made with more gypsum than standard drywall.
In addition, the layer of paper ensures that the drywall has superior moisture handling capabilities and protects it from environmental factors that may reduce its lifespan.
Uses of moisture-resistant drywall
As its name suggests, moisture-resistant drywall handles moistness better than standard drywall.
As a result, it can be installed in areas of the house that have more than ordinary moisture levels.
Green board can be installed in the following areas:
- Bathrooms
- Sink
- Laundry rooms
- Basements
- If you are building your home in a humid region
- Utility rooms
- Crawl spaces
Moisture-resistant drywall, however, is not waterproof. Consequently, it should not be installed in areas that have water such as
- Saunas
- Steam rooms and
- Indoor pools.
Benefits of moisture-resistant drywall
- Easy to use and install.
- Eco-friendly.
- Good for insulation
- Numerous design options.
- Balance humidity in rooms.
- Good for sound insulation
- Lightweight enough to install in ceilings, walls, and other areas.
Factors that determine the cost of drywall installation
Type of drywall you use
There are many types of drywall you can install in your home. Each type of drywall has its purpose and price.
Standard drywall is the most common gypsum board used to finish homes. Depending on the building code, you may require waterproof, fireproof, and soundproof gypsum. Standard gypsum does not possess these capabilities.
Therefore, you will pay more to get these specialized drywall types.
The size of your home
The larger the house, the more drywall you need. Consequently, the more you will pay.
The larger your home, the longer the drywall installation job will take. Therefore, you will pay more for labor.
Drywall finishes
There are up to six levels of drywall finish. They range from
- Level 0 – where you only hang the gypsum to cover the walls. It is mostly a basic, near-shoddy job as it leaves the joints and fasteners exposed.
- Level 1 – It improves slightly on level 0 by covering up the joints and fasteners.
- Level 2 – Improves on level 1 by covering the whole wall with compound in preparation for tiling.
- Level 3 – Smooth walls due to a second layer of compound.
- Level 4 – An additional layer of compound that gets the wall ready for painting.
- Level 5 – Proper finish which may include painting and other decorations.
DIY or hire a professional
Drywall installation is an easy task that you can easily DIY. It is often a two-person job. Thus you will need help. If you DIY successfully, it will save you lots of money that you would pay to hire professional installers.
DIY installation costs almost three times less than if you hire a pro.
Pros charge per hour or by the size of the house. The longer it takes to install your drywall the more you will pay. Similarly, the larger your home, the more you will pay.
Drywall thickness
Drywall is available in ¼, ½, ⅜, and ⅝ inch panels. The thicker the drywall you choose, the more you will pay. If you are on a budget, you can purchase the ¼ inch panels that are more affordable.
If you want to soundproof, the thicker the drywall you choose, the better the results. ⅝ inch thick drywall panels are used to soundproof and fireproof homes or rooms.
Shape and height of your home
If you are installing drywall on high ceilings, you can expect to pay more. Additionally, if your house has odd shapes, you will pay.
The higher the ceiling the more work needs to be done to install drywall. The task may require more than two people to complete successfully.
If your house has an odd shape, you will purchase more drywall panels as they have to be cut to fit. Hence, the installation will cost more than in an ordinary shaped house.
Removal
If your drywall installation involves the removal of existing drywall, expect to pay more.
If you hire pros, they will charge you to remove the existing drywall. To lower or eliminate the removal cost, bring down the existing drywall before the pros arrive.
Additionally, the removal of existing drywall increases the project period. Thus, you will pay more.
Types of drywall
- Green board. It is moisture-resistant drywall. It gets its name from the green paper that covers the gypsum and fiberglass that make up the board. The green paper and additional wax on the board make it moisture-resistant.
- Purple board. Covered with a purple paper layer, it is waterproof, mold, and mildew resistant. It is also the most expensive type of drywall.
- Plasterboard is a drywall type manufactured with plaster veneer. It is also known as the blue board.
- Fire Resistant. Also known as Type X drywall. It is recommended in building codes for its capability to slow the spread of fire. There are different categories of fire-resistant drywall depending on how long it can stop the spread of fire.
- Soundproof drywall. It is installed to keep noise from coming in or going out of noise-sensitive rooms.
How much does drywall cost
| Type of drywall | Cost per panel |
|---|---|
| Standard drywall | $12 - $20 |
| Green Board | $14 - $24 |
| Blue board | $12 - $20 |
| Purple board | $20 - $90 |
| Fire resistant | $20 - $30 |
- Standard drywall is the most common type of drywall used to finish homes. It costs $12- $20 per panel. It is easy to use and provides easy to decorate finished surfaces. It is best used in moderate climatic locations.
- Green board or moisture resistant drywall costs $14 – $24 per panel depending on the thickness of the panel you purchase. It is used in parts of the home that experience excess moisture such as kitchens.
- The blue board has blue paper on the exterior that enables it to handle plaster well. It ensures that you cannot see the joints when installed. It costs $12 – $15 per panel.
- Purple drywall is superior to all other types of drywall. It is mold, moisture, and mildew resistant. Consequently, it is more expensive. You will pay $20 – $60 per panel depending on the features of the purple drywall you purchase.
Hire a pro to install drywall
Looking for a reliable drywall contractor can be daunting, especially if you are a first-timer. Here is a free tool you can use to make your search easier.
Homegardenguides.com is a free tool that connects homeowners to professionals in the following easy steps.
- Enter your zip code at the top of the tool.
- Fill in the form to provide more details about the drywall service you need.
- You will receive three or four quotes and advice from professional drywall installers.
- Contact and hire a service that falls within your budget.
