Submitted by Cardboardraptor t3_1272nv4 in DIY

https://imgur.com/a/WJSqxKj Sorry I'm sure this is a silly question but I'm a bit confused. The drywall in my house seems to thin to be 5/8 but too thick to be 1/2. It's knockdown textured so I'm not sure if that adds depth. I'd appreciate any advice! Edit: after cleaning it up and scabbing some framing, it's 1/2! A few spots with a decent amount of lippage but overall not that bad!

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twiggsmcgee666 t1_jec9t9q wrote

That's 5/8". It's everything else slapped on top that adds the depth.

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MoSChuin t1_jecc429 wrote

Fellas, this is half inch rock. The tape hook isn't static, and moves a little. Push it in like this and it measures too long. In this case, by less than a 16th. The 5/8ths line is very far away. If you'd measure it by hooking on the back, it would measure a perfect half.

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cardcomm t1_jecd8q0 wrote

Looks like 1/2" to me.

If you want to be more sure, take a 1/2 and 5/8 open end wrenches and see which one sliders over it and fits snugly.

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JadeE1024 t1_jech078 wrote

Clearly drywall was too cheap looking so they made your walls out of 9/16 drop ceiling tiles.

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l397flake t1_jechpqw wrote

Looks like 5/8” keep in mind that drywall thins a bit at the edge.

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RogerRabbit1234 t1_jechxeh wrote

Right? I’m looking at this like, are we all looking at the same tape measure? It’s 1/2” rock.

Call off the detectives. It’s 1/2” rock.

Hook the tape on the back of the sheet and pull it towards you, and it will measure 1/2”.

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mattayom t1_jeciq20 wrote

I literally just dealt with this exact scenario.

It's 1/2. The knockdown, primer and paint add to the thickness so if you were to peel all that off it would measure 1/2

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phalangepatella t1_jecjckj wrote

I’m not going to say that I was “today years old” when I learned why the end of the tape moves like that, but I will admit that I was “embarrassingly old and should have known better” years old when I did.

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New2ThisThrowaway t1_jecjmm1 wrote

This isn't true for all tapes. It should measure correct when used this way, but the ends are notorious for being inaccurate.

You can see the inaccuracy in the photo. Use a photo editor or a post-it on your screen and grab 1/2 inch from further down the tape. Move it down to the end and you'll see your 1/2 inch reference line up with 9/16th.

Summary: it's 1/2 inch board. The tape measure is off by a 16th, like you said.

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clemclem3 t1_jecni18 wrote

I'm in camp 1/2. Because if you zoom in the drywall is not tight against the wood. That's your 1/16 difference

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remar1113 t1_jecp1ux wrote

1/2 “…the mud at that joint makes it look thicker

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PlumbersNeverSmile t1_jecpvmu wrote

That’s hire a pro size. If you can’t read a tape you’re in over your head.

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Jealous_Cap8196 t1_jecu623 wrote

Reddit brother. The board is 5/8 thick but it’s cut before the stud so the board has a slight bend. If you’re going to complete this job use 1/2 drywall because you can always add on with plaster to make a nice joint. If you buy 5/8 you MIGHT get a bump…….. but you have 7/8 to play so you can just go light on the compound. Either way you have play room, good luck sincerely a framing and drywall contractor

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imnotsoho t1_jed147y wrote

Generally most of the sheetrock in your house is half inch. The wall inside and the ceiling of your garage are 5/8" for fire resistance.

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Mrstucco t1_jed4zop wrote

Def 9/16” Must’ve been a custom job.

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ijm5012 t1_jeegvm0 wrote

If it’s on a wall, it’s like 1/2” with just a lot of skim coat and texture.

Having said that, if you’re trying to match the nearly 1” depth, you could buy 5/8” to help save you time skim coating to build up the thickness.

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wheresmyonesy t1_jegwngv wrote

I say that's 5/8 looks like you got mold so cut to halfway through the next stud so both sheets of drywall can have a mounting point.

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