I’m putting sheetrock on an old building framed 24” o.c. Will 5/8 board span that without sagging? Can I get away with 1/2?
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Learn more about the benefits and compliance details for the DOE's new water heater energy-efficiency standards.
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Replies
Joe knows, no maybe so, but when you say 24" OC I wouldn't take the chance of using 1/2 myself, I would stick with the 5/8 to avoid "sagging." You didn't say if this old building was a garage or a house either.
Wait and see what others say too.
Luck to da project!
It's actually an old granary. Framed in oak! I'm turning it into a little guest house.
You might want to use furring to even things up and to make it easier to sink the drywall screws. I had problems with screws breaking when I worked on old oak frames.
Oh yeah, busting screws, doesn't that sound like fun? Hey, thanks for the advice. I'll use the 5/8 as planned and maybe fur the ceiling for kicks. It's a small space and it's mine : )
SSSSShhhhhhh!!!!!!! If you're not quiet Piffin will hear and you'll get him started on those screws again. LOL!It doesn't matter how fast you get there, it just matters that you go in the right direction.
I was going to suggest in the owner built truss thread that they use lots of drywall screws to make sure the trusses were really strong. Some things you just don't kid about. Well maybe...
That's the thread I was in when i heard the unmistakeable sound of SR screws snapping in oak timbers. I had to get right over here to suggest strapping and furring.
;).
Excellence is its own reward!
I hate that sound!
almost as bad as nails on chaulkboard.
Excellence is its own reward!
Or the scream of the elusive wild bobcat in the woods at night.
we had one in the woods at the end of our street!
What a spooky sound to wake up to at 2:30 !!!
Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am an Experienced Professional!
I heard that!.
Excellence is its own reward!
Definitely go 5/8.
There are several discussions/arguements here in the archives about this, if you want to search for them.
If you can't beat them, arrange to have them beaten. [George Carlin]
If you're talking about ceilings, how about furring strips perpendicular to the framing, on 16" centers? You'd only give up 3/4" of headroom, and can shim them as needed to get a flat plane. (assuming that like most old buildings, current framing is not quite flat)
If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.
Heres the rules ;
24 on center = 5/8
19.4 on center 1/2 fiber board
16 on center 1/2
12 on center 3/8
Nail over solid wall = 1/4
You may fir walls and use your choice of what you have chosen.
Tim Mooney
I don't know for sure, being an electrician I haven't faced the problem, but I have been told by a drywall specialist that X-type, fire resistant, drywall is stiffer and can make a difference in marginal stud span situations. Maybe one of the drywall savvy gentlemen on this site will either confirm this or disabuse me of the misinformation.