Drywall Types: Standard vs. Moisture-Resistant vs. Fire-Rated
Read more → requirements. When your insurance replaces damaged drywall, the replacement must use the correct type for that location.
Standard drywall
Standard drywall (also called regular or whiteboard) has a white paper facing and a gypsum core. It comes in 1/4-inch, 3/8-inch, 1/2-inch, and 5/8-inch thicknesses, with 1/2-inch being the most common for residential walls and 5/8-inch for ceilings. Standard drywall costs $0.
30-$0. 50 per square foot. It is suitable for most interior walls and ceilings in dry areas like bedrooms, living rooms, and hallways.
Moisture-resistant drywall
Moisture-resistant drywall (green board) has a water-resistant paper facing and a moisture-resistant gypsum core. It costs $0. 50-$0.
80 per square foot. Building code requires it in bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and other areas exposed to moisture. A newer product called purple board offers even better moisture and mold resistance.
In shower and tub surrounds, code requires cement board or fiber cement board instead of any gypsum product.
Fire-rated drywall
Fire-rated drywall (Type X) has a denser gypsum core reinforced with glass fibers, providing greater fire resistance. It is 5/8-inch thick and provides a one-hour fire rating when properly installed. Building code requires it on garage walls and ceilings that share a boundary with living spaces, around furnace rooms, and in other fire-separation assemblies.
Type X costs $0. 50-$0. 70 per square foot and is heavier than standard drywall.
Why the type matters for your claim
When your insurance replaces damaged drywall, the replacement must match the code requirement for that location. If fire-rated drywall is required in your garage ceiling and the estimate specifies standard drywall, the repair will not pass inspection. If moisture-resistant drywall is needed in your bathroom, standard drywall will fail and lead to future mold problems.
The cost difference per sheet is small, but the wrong type can cause significant problems.
What to do
Check where the drywall is being replaced in your repair scope. For any bathroom, kitchen, or laundry area, confirm the estimate specifies moisture-resistant drywall. For garage walls and ceilings adjacent to living space, confirm it specifies Type X fire-rated drywall.
If the estimate just says 'drywall' without specifying the type, ask for clarification. The building inspector will require the correct type regardless of what the estimate says, and you do not want to be stuck paying the difference.
See how this applies to your property
Upload photos of your damage and get a detailed analysis showing exactly where your estimate may fall short.