What size drywall is good for ceilings& size of nails?

5/8'; sheet rock gives the best long term results down here on the humid Gulf coast especially w/joists on 24'; centers.





Although 5/8'; rock is heavier than 1/2'; (duhh), it is more resistant to sagging between joists.





1-1/4'; (min for new installs) Type W bugle head screws 12'; apart are a much, much better installation than nails.





Here are some links that'll tell you more than you ever wanted to know:





http://www.usg.com/DocsAndMedia.do?cat=I鈥?/a>





http://www.usg.com/USG_Marketing_Content鈥?/a>What size drywall is good for ceilings%26amp; size of nails?
As others have stated 1/2 inch is an industry standard, and might only sag/warp/be damaged otherwise, through water intrusion, or someone stepping on it above, which would happen with 5/8 as well.





5/8 is more used commercially, and often includes some level or fire retardation in the process of manufacture in more compression of the gypsum, but a 4 x 8 x 5/8 sheet weighs in the 75 to 80 lb. +/- range, and like 1/2 inch, for a ceiling install, HELP should be considered, or the tedium of double ladders, and JACKS of some sort, to help hold a sheet at 8 ft. in the air,,,or higher.





Also, as others state, Drywall screws are standard, come in various lengths (You'd need no more than 1 5/8 max)





Steven Wolf


just my two ';sense';What size drywall is good for ceilings%26amp; size of nails?
I used 1/2 inch on the ceiling But do NOT use nails. Use drywall screws for the ceiling. You can get away with good drywall nails for walls, but not for the ceiling. A good drywall screw will hold the ceiling up much better and hold for the long haul. I had to fix a pile of nails that were popping out from the ceiling at our last house because of the cheap builder. Please don't make that mistake.
5/8'; Drywall. Sorry, no offense to others, but over time 1/2'; or thinner will sag down between joists and/or trusses, creating a wavy ceiling. But yes, certainly screws, not nails, 1-1/2';. At least that is standard in my area.
You want to use 5/8 drywall. If you go to the thin type after a couple of years,(maybe only a couple of months) you will see the drywall bow down between the roof joists. Yes it is weight is more as you try to hold them in place, but they do a better job. And I would use 2';screws (or longer) instead of nails they hold much better. They rent drywall lifters at many rental outlets. They will hold the drywall right where you need it until you can get screws in.


Also take an extra 2 minutes per sheet and snap lines where you what to put the screws. This takes 2 minutes longer at the start of each sheet but saves hours trying to remove screws that miss the joists and in filling extra holes.
You want 3/8'; drywall on the ceiling because it's not as heavy, and I would recommend drywall screws instead of nails because they don't pop as much.
they make 1/2 inch drywall in an ';extra strength ceiling panel'; that eliminates sag and weighs less than 5/8 inch board but it's a little more expensive. i would go with 5/8 or the extra strength board. regular 1/2 inch will sag over time especially with insulation laying on top of it. 1-1/4 inch screws are fine for ceilings.
1/2 or 5/8. But if cost is not a great consideration put up two sheets. Do the room in one direction and then in the opposite. Great sound insulator.





Again, screws large enough to bite 1-1.5 inches
1/2 inch drywall is normal and use screws instead of nails. 1 1/2 inch course thread drywall screws should be fine unless you are going over an existing surface in which case the screws should be long enough to go through the drywall, the existing surface and penetrate at least an inch into the ceiling joists. You can buy drywall bits that fit into any drill that will sink the screws to the perfect level in the drywall everytime. If you don't have a drill you can rent a drill or even better a drywall screwdriver that holds screws in a clip and will tremendously speed up the process. Since it's a ceiling, renting a panel lift would also be a HUGE help. It's just a lift that hold the drywall tightly to the ceiling so you can screw it in without the bother of trying to hold it up at the same time. I'll never do another ceiling without one.
Use 1/2'; drywall. Don't worry, it won't sag. Use drywall screws instead of nails. They hold better and nailing at that angle is VERY uncomfortable.