Had to pick between 1/4 inch and 5/8 inch for a bathroom ceiling last week

I was doing a small bathroom remodel for a client in Raleigh and the old ceiling had 1/4 inch board on it. The homeowner wanted 5/8 inch for better fire rating but the joists were only 16 on center and I worried about sagging over time. I went with 1/4 inch and used extra screws every 6 inches to keep it tight. Has anyone else run into this choice where code says one thing but common sense says another?

2 comments

2 Comments

anderson.spencer1mo ago

Used 5/8 on my own place, no sag after five years with good screws.

paulc931mo ago

Wait, 5/8 inch is actually not thick enough for most ceiling spans without blocking or strapping.