Drywall is one of the most purchased renovation materials in Canada and one where buying the wrong type for the wrong application causes expensive failures. Moisture-resistant drywall in the bathroom that isn't actually waterproof. Standard drywall behind a shower. Fire code violations from wrong thickness in the wrong location. This guide tells you exactly what to buy, where, and how to estimate your order.
| Category | Cost Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard 1/2" drywall | $15–$22/sheet | The workhorse product for all interior walls and ceilings in dry areas. CGC, CertainTeed, and Georgia-Pacific are the main Canadian suppliers. Buy by the unit (80 sheets) at a drywall supplier for the best pricing. |
| 5/8" type X fire-rated drywall | $22–$30/sheet | Required by code in specific locations: garage/house separation walls, mechanical room walls, basement suite fire separations. Always check your permit drawings for fire-rating requirements before ordering. |
| Moisture-resistant (MR) / green board | $18–$26/sheet | For bathrooms, laundry rooms, and other humid areas — but NOT for shower enclosures or direct water contact. Often confused with waterproof — it is not. It resists humidity, not water. |
| Cement board (Durock, HardieBacker) | $25–$40/sheet | For tile substrate in shower enclosures, tub surrounds, and anywhere tile goes directly on the wall. Truly moisture-resistant. Required by most tile manufacturers' warranties in wet areas. |
| 5/8" soundproofing drywall (QuietRock) | $60–$120/sheet | For home theatres, secondary suite separations, bedroom walls. Reduces sound transmission significantly. Expensive — use standard drywall + resilient channels for a more economical solution. |
| Installation labour (if hired) | $1.50–$3.50/sqft | Hanging, taping, and finishing drywall to Level 4 (smooth, paint-ready) is a skill that takes years to master. DIY saves labour costs but finishing quality directly affects paint appearance. |
Drywall finish runs from Level 0 (unfinished, in garages) to Level 5 (skim-coated, for high-gloss paint or critical lighting). For standard interior walls with flat or eggshell paint, Level 4 is standard in Canada. Level 5 is required under high-gloss paint or in very raking light situations.
Use 5/8" drywall on ceilings to reduce sag between joists — 1/2" can visibly sag at standard 16" joist spacing over time. Some contractors use 1/2" on ceilings at 12" joist spacing with extra screws, but 5/8" is the professional standard for ceiling work.
Measure the total square footage of walls and ceilings (length × height for each wall surface). Divide by 32 (for 4×8 sheets) to get sheet count. Add 10% for waste and cuts. For a 12×12 bedroom with 9' ceilings: approximately 25–28 sheets.
Drywall is heavy, fragile, and difficult to transport. A 4×8 sheet of 5/8" weighs 75 lbs. Order delivery from your supplier and have them place it as close to the work area as possible. Moving drywall through a house causes damage to both the drywall and the house.
Moisture-resistant drywall (green board) for non-wet areas like the vanity wall and back of the door. Cement board (Durock or HardieBacker) behind any tile in wet areas including tub surrounds and shower enclosures. Never use standard drywall or green board behind shower tile — it will fail.
1/2" for interior walls. 5/8" for ceilings (to prevent sag), garage/house separations, and any fire-rated assembly required by your permit. 1/4" is available for curved walls or drywall-over-drywall applications but is rarely used in residential renovation.
For a 12×12 bedroom (walls + ceiling), expect $400–$700 in materials (drywall, screws, tape, joint compound) and $800–$1,600 in labour for hang, tape, and finish to Level 4. Total: $1,200–$2,300 per room, varying by city and finish level.
Specialty drywall suppliers (Allroc Building Products, Bailey Metal Products, local drywall wholesale) are consistently cheaper than Home Depot or Rona for large orders. For small quantities, big-box stores are convenient. In Quebec, Canac has very competitive drywall pricing.
Answer 3 quick questions and get an instant cost estimate tailored to your city, scope, and timeline.
Start Free → Takes 3 minutes