How much are sheetrock and drywall prices?
How much are sheetrock and drywall prices?
$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
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).
| 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.
Average drywall prices per sheet
The following table shows the average drywall cost 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.
Regular drywall is not moisture, mold, or fire-resistant.
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.
Green drywall is not waterproof. Use cement backer board, Hardie board, or a Schluter wall system instead of drywall to waterproof shower walls before tiling.
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:
| Type | Features |
|---|---|
| Foil-backed |
|
| Paperless |
|
| Enviroboard |
|
| Cement board |
|
Bulk drywall wholesale prices
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.
| 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.
When buying drywall sheets, add 10% to 15% to the final measurement to cover waste and odd cuts.
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:
Multiply the length of the wall by the height to get the square footage. Do not subtract for doors or windows.
Divide the result by 32 for 4' x 8' drywall panels or by 48 for 4' x 12' drywall panels.
| 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.
When installing drywall yourself, rent a mechanical drywall lift to hold the panels up. Drywall lift rental costs $40 per day.
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 | Plaster |
|---|---|
|
|
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?