How much are sheetrock and drywall prices?
Ashburn, VA

How much are sheetrock and drywall prices?

Ashburn, VA

How much are sheetrock and drywall prices?

$10 – $20material cost per sheet
$0.30 – $0.50material cost per square foot
$1.50 – $3.50total cost per square foot installed

Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:

$10 – $20 material cost per sheet

$0.30 – $0.50 material cost per square foot

$1.50 – $3.50 total cost per square foot installed


Get free estimates for your project or view our cost guide below:
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Kristen Cramer
Written by
Kristen Cramer
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Tara Farmer
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Drywall prices

Sheetrock and drywall prices are $10 to $20 per sheet or $0.30 to $0.50 per square foot on average, depending on size, thickness, and type. Gypsum plasterboard costs $12 to $16 per sheet. Drywall materials cost $200 to $400 to cover the walls and ceiling of a 12' x 12' bedroom (500 SF).

Average drywall prices per sheet - chart
Average drywall prices per sheet - chart
Drywall price chart
Type Price per sheet* Description
Standard 1/4" $8 – $12 Used for repairs, curved walls, or to cover textured walls with a smooth surface
Standard 3/8" $8 – $15 Used for repairs and curved walls
Standard 1/2" $8 – $20 Most common drywall used for walls and ceilings
Standard 5/8" $10 – $20 Used for fire-resistance, soundproofing, and ceilings
Green board $12 – $20 Moisture and mold resistance for bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and mudrooms
Purple board $12 – $22 Moisture and mold resistance for bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and mudrooms
Blue board / plasterboard $12 – $16 Used as a base for plaster veneer
Fire-resistant Type X $10 – $20 Contains non-combustible fibers that resist fire for up to one hour
Paperless $13 – $26 Has a fiberglass outer layer instead of paper for higher mold and rot resistance
High-impact $40 – $60 Provides added protection against damage in schools, gymnasiums, and correctional facilities
Soundproof $30 – $100 Dampens sound for home theaters, bedrooms in noisy areas, or multi-family homes
Lead-lined $200 – $600 Used in hospitals and clinics for radiation protection from diagnostic imaging equipment

*Material prices. Minimum delivery fees of $79 typically apply.

  • Bulk drywall costs 10% to 25% less when ordering 34 panels or more.

  • Drywall installation costs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot for labor and materials.

  • Costs are based on the wall or ceiling surface square footage, not the floor space square footage.

  • Drywall is also called wallboard, sheetrock, gypsum board, and plasterboard.

  • Common drywall sheet sizes are 4' x 8', 4' x 10', and 4' x 12' for constructing interior walls and ceilings.

Get free estimates from drywall installers near you.

Average drywall prices per sheet

The following table shows the average drywall cost per sheet.

Average drywall prices per sheet
National average cost $14
Minimum cost $7
Maximum cost $65
Average cost range $10 to $20

* Cost data is from research and project costs reported by HomeGuide members.

Drywall prices by type

Regular drywall prices

Regular drywall costs $8 to $20 per sheet, depending on the size and thickness. Standard drywall—also called whiteboard—ranges from 1/4" to 5/8" thick and has a gypsum core sandwiched between two layers of gray, white, or brown paper.

Green board drywall price

Green board drywall costs $12 to $20 per panel. Green board is also called moisture-resistant or mold-resistant drywall and is commonly used in kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.

Pile of green board drywall sheets
Pile of green board drywall sheets

Blue board / plasterboard prices

Blue drywall costs $12 to $16 per panel. Blue board—also called plasterboard—is resistant to mold and moisture and is coated in blue paper designed to bond with plaster instead of drywall mud. The paper's special absorption qualities result in a smoother plaster surface.

Purple drywall prices

Purple drywall costs $12 to $22 per panel and is made by National Gypsum. Standard purple drywall is moisture, mold, and mildew resistant and is ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, mudrooms, and laundry rooms.

Fire-resistant Type X drywall prices

Fire-resistant Type X drywall prices are $10 to $20 per panel. Fire-rated drywall is 5/8" thick and has a dense gypsum core embedded with non-combustible fibers that resist fire for one hour. Type X drywall is used for kitchens, boiler or furnace rooms, and shared walls between a house and garage.

High-impact drywall cost

High-impact drywall costs $40 to $60 per sheet and provides added protection against damage in commercial settings like schools, gymnasiums, hospitals, and correctional facilities. High-impact drywall features a dense fiberglass mesh embedded in its core for the strongest durability.

Lead-lined drywall price

Lead-lined drywall prices are $200 to $650 per panel, depending on the lead layer's thickness. Hospitals and clinics install lead-lined sheetrock to provide radiation shielding from diagnostic imaging equipment.

Soundproof or sound dampening drywall cost

Soundproof drywall costs $30 to $100 per panel and is ideal for home theaters, bedrooms in noisy areas, or multi-family homes. Sound-dampening drywall is denser than standard drywall and features multiple layers of gypsum surrounding a thin elastic membrane to reduce noise transmission.

Other gypsum board prices

Gypsum board costs $10 to $20 per sheet, depending on the type and features:

Other types of gypsum board
Type Features
Foil-backed
  • Foil vapor barrier
  • Prevents condensation from forming inside walls in cold climates
Paperless
  • Fiberglass outer layer instead of paper
  • Higher mold and rot resistance
Enviroboard
  • Made with recycled materials
  • Compressed into solid concrete-like panels
Cement board
  • Used as a backing for shower or bathroom tile

Bulk drywall wholesale prices

Get free estimates from drywall installers near you.

Bulk drywall orders of 34 panels or more qualify for a 10% to 25% discount, depending on the drywall type and the store. Some home improvement and building supply stores require a 48- to 52-sheet minimum order for discounts on mold-resistant or fire-resistant drywall.

Sheetrock prices

Sheetrock costs $12 to $20 per panel, depending on the type and thickness. Though the terms drywall and sheetrock are often used interchangeably, Sheetrock is a specific brand of drywall made by U.S. Gypsum (USG) that undergoes extensive quality control testing.

Sheetrock prices from Home Depot or Lowe’s

Home Depot and Lowe's sheetrock prices are $12 to $20 per panel. Sheetrock comes in standard, moisture-resistant, Type X fire-resistant, and ultralight drywall panels.

Drywall material prices

Drywall supplies and materials cost $200 to $400 to cover 500 square feet of wall and ceiling surface, enough for a standard 12' x 12' bedroom.

Get free estimates from drywall installers near you.
Drywall material prices
Material Price per 500 square feet
Drywall $160 – $320
Mud / Joint compound $14 – $16
Tape $3 – $12
Screws $20 – $40
Corner bead* $3 – $12
Total $200 – $400

*Only required for rooms with outside corners.

Drywall price FAQs

Where to buy drywall

Home Depot, Lowe's, and local building supply stores sell drywall. Some building supply stores only sell sheetrock in bulk quantities, but their prices are typically lower than retail chain stores.

How much drywall do I need?

Follow these steps to calculate how much drywall you need:

  1. Multiply the length of the wall by the height to get the square footage. Do not subtract for doors or windows.

  2. Divide the result by 32 for 4' x 8' drywall panels or by 48 for 4' x 12' drywall panels.

How many sheets of drywall do I need?
Project Sheets needed (walls only) Sheets needed (walls and ceiling)
5' x 8' Bathroom 5 – 6 6 – 8
12' x 12' Bedroom 10 – 12 12 – 18
12' x 20' Primary bedroom 12 – 16 16 – 24
16' x 20' Living room 12 – 18 20 – 28
20' x 20' Garage 16 – 24 24 – 36
1,000 SF Basement 22 – 60 45 – 80
1,500 SF Whole house 115 – 150 150 – 225
2,000 SF Whole house 170 – 210 210 – 315
2,500 SF Whole house 190 – 260 260 – 390
3,000 SF Whole house 220 – 300 300 – 450

How much does it cost to install drywall?

Drywall installation costs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot, including materials and labor to hang, tape, and finish the walls or ceiling. Drywall contractors charge $40 to $100 per hour or $30 to $70 per sheet for installation.

How much does it cost to tape and mud drywall?

The labor cost to finish drywall is $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot, depending on the finish level. Drywall finishing is typically included in the installation price and includes taping, mudding, and sanding the joints to prep the surface for painting.

How much does it cost to texture drywall?

The cost to texture drywall is $0.80 to $2.00 per square foot, depending on the wall or ceiling height, texture type, application method, and thickness. Texture adds dimension and hides the flaws and seams in drywall.

Can you install drywall yourself?

DIY drywall installation is a labor-intensive and challenging project that typically requires at least two people. Each 4' x 8' drywall sheet weighs 50 to 60 pounds. Creating a smooth finish with no visible seams also requires skill and experience.

What's the difference between drywall and plaster?

Drywall is a layer of gypsum sandwiched between two sheets of paper. Plaster is a paste-like substance applied over blueboard or wood laths. Plaster is stronger and more soundproof than drywall, but more labor-intensive to install and requires multiple coats to build a strong finish.

Drywall vs. plaster
Drywall Plaster
  • Made of gypsum sandwiched between two sheets of paper
  • Faster and easier to install
  • Minimal drying time
  • Better insulating
  • Paste-like veneer applied over blueboard or wooden lath
  • More labor-intensive to install
  • Longer drying time
  • Stronger and more durable
  • More soundproof

Is lightweight drywall as good as regular drywall?

Lightweight drywall is 25% lighter than standard drywall, reducing shipping costs and making it easier for builders to lift and maneuver the panels into place. Ultralight drywall is not as durable as regular or soundproof drywall.

What is the best drywall thickness for walls or ceilings?

Drywall comes in four thicknesses. Each thickness is best suited for specific uses:

  • 1/4" is the most economical but is typically only used for repairs, curved walls, or as a double layer to cover a textured wall with a smooth surface. 1/4" drywall is not strong or stable enough to be used on its own.

  • 3/8" was once the most common size but is now used only for repairs or curved walls.

  • 1/2" is the standard drywall thickness for walls and ceilings in residential spaces.

  • 5/8" is the thickest option and is used for fire resistance and soundproofing. 5/8" drywall is also ideal for ceilings because it prevents sagging.

Tips for hiring a drywall contractor

Before hiring a drywall contractor near you, be sure to:

  • Get at least three in-person estimates to compare.

  • Look at their reviews on HomeGuide and Google.

  • Look for a drywall contractor who is a member of the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry.

  • Ask for references and browse their portfolio of similar completed projects.

  • Select companies that are licensed, insured, bonded, and have been in business for at least five years.

  • Get a detailed estimate, contract, and warranty in writing before the work begins.

  • Avoid choosing the lowest quote as quality may suffer.

  • Never pay in full before the project starts. Follow a payment plan instead.

Questions to ask

  • Are you licensed, bonded, and insured?

  • Will you work on the project yourself or use a subcontractor?

  • How many people are on your crew, and what hours do they work?

  • Which type of drywall do you recommend for my project, and why?

  • Does the estimate include the drywall delivery?

  • Does the estimate include hanging, taping and mudding, finishing, and texturing?

  • Does the estimate include cleanup costs?

  • What permits do I need, and will you obtain them?

  • What other costs should I expect?

  • How long will the project take?

  • How do you handle damages that happen on the job?