BUILDCALCDRYWALL & SHEETROCK SPEC
CONTRACTOR SPECIFICATION TAKE-OFF

24' × 24' Garage Fire-Code Drywall Takeoff (5/8" Type X)

Building codes (IRC R302.6) mandate 5/8-inch Type X fire-rated gypsum board on attached garage walls adjacent to habitable living spaces and garage ceilings beneath living quarters. A 24' × 24' two-car garage with 10-foot ceilings spans 960 sq ft of perimeter walls and 576 sq ft of ceiling. Deducting a 16' × 7' garage overhead door (112 sq ft) and an exterior walk door requires approximately 45 sheets of heavy-duty 5/8" Type X sheetrock weighing roughly 3,150 lbs.

Room Dimensions & Openings

1479 NET SQ FT
CEILING HEIGHT
INCLUDE CEILING
SHEET SIZE
THICKNESS
DRYWALL ELEVATION & STAGGERED SHEET SCHEDULE
Room: 24' × 24' (10' Clg)51 SHEETS (4x8)
Drywall framing and staggered sheet layout for 24' roomDOUBLE TOP PLATETREATED SOLE PLATEDOOR R.O.-21 SQ FTWINDOW-15 SQ FTHORIZONTAL RUN4×8 FT STANDARDSTAGGERED SEAMPrevents Long Crack Lines10' CEILING HEIGHT24' WALL RUN (16" O.C. FRAMING STUDS)
Total Drywall Area:1627 sq ft(903w + 576c)
Sheets Required:51 Sheets4x8 (5/8" thick)
Joint Mud & Tape:4 Buckets (4.5G)2 roll (548 LF tape)
Weight & Fasteners:3,570 lbs2 box 1-1/4" screws
Trade Fulfillment & Jobsite LogisticsEstimated Materials Cost: $920
RETAIL STORE PICKUPDIY TRUCK / VAN
51 Sheets
4x8 (5/8") + 4 Buckets Mud
Total Dry Weight:3,810 lbs
SUPPLY YARD BOOM DISPATCHCOMMERCIAL HAULER
1.8 Tons Gypsum
Boom truck delivers through 2nd floor window or garage drop
Jobsite Placement:Boom Drop Highly Recommended

Contractor Trade Best Practices & Code FAQs

What is the building code requirement for garage drywall?

Under the International Residential Code (IRC Section R302.6), garage walls separating the garage from the residence interior must have at least 1/2" gypsum board. If there is a living room or bedroom directly above the garage ceiling, the ceiling must be sheeted with minimum 5/8" Type X gypsum board to provide a 1-hour fire rating barrier.

Why is 5/8" drywall so much heavier than 1/2"?

5/8" Type X drywall contains dense non-combustible glass fibers embedded in its solid gypsum core. While a standard 4x8 1/2" sheet weighs around 51 lbs, a 4x8 5/8" Type X sheet weighs over 70 lbs (a 37% increase in dead load). Using a mechanical drywall panel lift is essential when installing 5/8" sheets on ceilings.