2023 Drywall Cost And Installation

Purple Board

Homeowners who want to take moisture resistance the extra mile may wish to invest in the purple board. This is mold-resistant drywall that also has a coating to prevent moisture penetration, but it inhibits mold growth as a plus.

If your home has a moisture problem or you merely want the best protection against mold, the purple board is what most drywall experts recommend. The price per sheet goes from $15 to $22.

Fire-Rated Drywall

You will likely hear this type of drywall referred to as the Type X drywall as well. It’s a popular choice for high-occupancy spaces like apartment buildings or commercial properties.

The main difference between the fire-rated drywall and other types is that it contains non-combustible elements.

The Type X drywall is more challenging to install as it’s harder to cut, and it’s not the most common choice among homeowners. The price for the fire-rated drywall is between $15-$30 per sheet

Paperless Drywall

Most drywall types contain a layer of paper over the gypsum, but that’s not the case with this type. Instead of paper, the manufacturers use fiberglass to make the drywall more resistant and durable.

This type’s texture isn’t smooth and is more difficult to install. It’s also more expensive than the standard drywall covered with paper; it costs around $15-$22 per sheet

Did You Know? You can install drywall both vertically and horizontally. The main difference is the benefit each method brings.

You get a more secure attachment to the studs with vertically hung drywall. The advantages of horizontal installation are clearer seams and easier finish work.

Eco-Friendly Drywall

In general, drywall is a sustainable building material as gypsum is highly recyclable. But the homeowners who want to take the most environmentally friendly approach can opt for drywall that uses post-consumer material.

They can look for brands that are marketed as eco-friendly specifically and expect to pay a little more than they would for the standard drywall. The prices start at $14 per sheet and may go all the way to $22 per sheet.

Soundproof Drywall

One of the downsides of standard drywall is the lack of proper sound isolation. While it’s not a significant issue to many homeowners, soundproof drywall is nonetheless available on the market.

The soundproof drywall is either laminated or contains layers of wood pulp and other insulation elements. This type of drywall can efficiently deaden noise and absorb sounds.

The disadvantages of soundproof drywall are that it’s incredibly difficult to cut and install and can also be quite expensive.

If you’re looking to soundproof your home or commercial space, you’ll need to pay between $40 and $75 per sheet.

Drywall Cost By Size

The type of drywall you choose is only a starting point in determining the final price tag. We also need to consider the drywall sheet size.

For the sake of simplicity, we’ll use the prices by size for the traditional drywall type as it’s the most widely used anyway.

4×8 Sheet

Undoubtedly, the most common size is 4×8 feet and the one used as a reference when talking about drywall prices.

When a seller tells you about the price per sheet for the drywall, they’re usually referring to 4×8 – they will specifically mention it if it’s another size category.

However, be sure to ask if you’re unsure when making a purchase. As mentioned, the standard drywall of this size ranges from $10 to $15 per sheet.

4×12 Sheet

If you need to re-do the ceilings, consider this drywall size. But this size is also an excellent solution for walls in rooms with very high ceilings.

As sheets of this size are more difficult to handle than the 4×8 sheet, they also cost a little more. Homeowners will be expected to pay between $12 and $19 per sheet

4×16 Sheet

If you need to cover a large space with drywall, this is the size to go with. It’s not a common choice and is only used when necessary.

Drywall sheets of this size can be prone to breakage, so they’re often a lot thicker too. As they come with higher installation costs, they may set you back from $15 to $24 per sheet.

Cost Of Drywall By Sheet Thickness

As mentioned, the largest drywall sheets need to also be thicker to avoid breakage. However, you can also buy standard size drywall sheets that range in thickness.

There are several options in this category, but 1/2-inch thickness is the most popular, and it costs between $10-$20 per sheet. However, keep in mind that some building codes will require different drywall thicknesses.

For example, 1/4-inch-thick drywall is usually used to repair existing walls or ceilings, and thus is cheaper. You also have the 5/8-inch drywall that differs from the 1/2-inch drywall only slightly.

It is the usual thickness for soundproof and fire-resistant drywall as they take up more space, but they’re available in standard type too. The price range is understandably wide and goes from $12 to $75 per sheet.

Cost to Install Drywall (200 s.f. room)
$625 - $970

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Sheetrock Prices

When you’re planning a home renovation, getting familiar with building material terminology is inevitable, at least to some degree. New drywall installation projects can be costly, and it’s important to learn about the products available.

While doing research, you might have noticed that drywall is sometimes called sheetrock. Indeed, these terms are nearly always used interchangeably, but that’s not entirely accurate.

The best way to see the difference is to understand that not all drywall is sheetrock, but all sheetrock is drywall. In fact, Sheetrock – with the capital “S” – is a brand name.

It has become synonymous with the idea of drywall like Kleenex has with paper tissues. Still, when people talk about sheetrock, they might or might not be referring to the actual brand.

Did You Know?

The Sheetrock brand has a patented drywall formula. However, apart from a few chemicals that allow the patent, there are no meaningful differences between the store brand drywall and Sheetrock.

Sheetrock is available in all the same size, thickness, and type as other brands of drywall, and its price depends on these factors.

As a brand name, Sheetrock tends to be more expensive than drywall. The price per standard type and size sheet can go up to $25 per sheet.

Drywall Wholesale Prices

When you’re making home renovation plans, it’s pretty easy to go over budget in no time. It’s nearly impossible to think of all the costs, so it’s worth considering all the ways you can reduce the final price tag for the drywall.

Note that the price per sheet doesn’t account for other materials such as screws, mud (a compound used to seal drywall seams), and tape, which can range from $5 to 15, depending on the brand and quality.

Furthermore, shipping isn’t calculated in the drywall price per sheet, and that pricing may vary drastically depending on how far away the seller is from you.

But there is a way to reduce potential drywall cost and buy it in bulk. As a rule, you need to purchase 34 drywall panels or more to qualify for the 20% discount. That comes down to the amount of drywall enough to cover a 300 square-foot room.

Cost Of Drywall Finishing

Cost to Install Drywall (200 s.f. room)
$625 - $970

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Once the drywall is professionally installed, it requires additional attention. For most homeowners, choosing the drywall finish is a crucial decision in this process.

Drywall finish is available in six different levels, and each achieves particular decorative purposes. We’ll go over every finished level and the labor cost.

Level 0

Zero stands for no finish at all. While it may seem redundant to count it as a level, that’s the standard procedure in the drywall installation business.

But if you’ve gone over the budget for the renovation, you may choose to leave the finish for later.

Level 1

With level 1 finish, the drywall contains all the mudding and taping and the seams are done. But you can still see the tool marks and ridges, which are not intended to be seen.

Even though this is technically a finish, it’s not meant for spaces such as a living room or a bedroom. Instead, a level 1 drywall finish is the right solution for attics and basements. The cost per square foot for this type of finish is $0.50-1.30.

Level 2

If you’re drywalling a garage or a different utility space, a level 2 finish might do the trick. It consists of a thin layer of paint, primer, and not much more.

This level of finish is also not sanded and can show various imperfections. The price ranges between $0.60 and $1.25.

Level 3

From level 3, we’re entering the decorative zone for drywall finish. If you choose this level of finish, your drywall will be covered in the joining compound.

It will also go through a light sanding process and can be primed if requested by the installer. The level 3 drywall finish is considered the low-end solution for residential housing.

The prices with labor go from $0.70-1.70.

Level 4

This drywall finish level comes with a smoothed surface but may still show slight imperfections. If you’re not going for a textured finish, the contractor will typically apply a single coat of paint.

The level 4 drywall finishing creates an excellent foundation for wallpaper or tiles you may want to install in the future. Prices vary, and you may pay anywhere between $0.80 and $1.90.

Level 5

Most living rooms and bedrooms with drywall feature a level 5 finish. The contractor has properly sanded, primed, and even painted the drywall by the time they’re done.

From there, you can apply glossy or matte paint to add a more customized look. Understandably, a level 5 drywall finish is more expensive and can set you back between $0.90 and $2.45 per square foot.