What Kind of Drywall Should I Use on a Garage Ceiling?

Fire Rated

• The building codes for your local municipality may require that you use a fire rated drywall for your garage ceiling, especially if you are finishing out an attached garage or a garage beneath part of your home. Contact your local building department to obtain a list of the building requirements that pertain to your specific project. Fire rated drywall contains materials that help decrease the risk of flame spread. Although this type of drywall is slightly more expensive, it provides an important safety feature that you should consider even if your building codes don’t require this material.

Thickness

• Drywall comes in a variety of thicknesses suitable for various uses. The amount of space between your ceiling supports plays an important role in determining the thickness of your drywall sheets. Use 1/2-inch drywall sheets for attaching to 16-inch centers, or use 5/8-inch drywall sheets for 24-inch centers. Thinner sheets of drywall, such as 3/8-inch and 1/4-inch sheets, are substandard for garage ceiling installation.

Size

• The rule of thumb when installing drywall in homes or garages is to use the largest length of sheets you can safely handle. The larger the sheets, the fewer joints you will have to mud and tape, resulting in a quicker, neater result. Using a mechanical drywall lift can help you safely move and install large drywall sheets, especially if you are constructing your ceiling by yourself.

Moisture Resistant

• Moisture resistant drywall contains a type of vapor barrier that helps your garage ceiling withstand high humidity and surface dampness. Although some garages may never experience humid conditions, this type of drywall can help protect your ceiling if you happen to leave your garage doors open during a rainstorm or if you regularly hose down your garage floor.