Question about the weight of a full sheet of 5/8 drywall

I was moving some leftover sheets from a job in Phoenix last week and got to thinking, just how heavy is this stuff? I looked it up and saw a number that really threw me. A full 4x12 sheet of 5/8 fire-rated board can weigh over 100 pounds. I always knew it was a beast to lift, but seeing that number made it click. We're basically humping a whole person up a ladder all day. It explains why my back feels it after a week of ceilings. But then I got talking to an old timer who said the weight is a good thing, that it means it's dense and will hang right without sagging. So what's the deal, is that extra weight just part of the job we have to deal with, or are there times you'd pick a lighter board even if you could use the 5/8? How do you guys handle the heavy stuff on big jobs?

2 comments

2 Comments

daniel_lopez24d ago

Man, that weight is the price we pay for things that are built to last.

schmidt.kim23d ago

But what about stuff that's light and still lasts?