Type X fire-resistant drywall contains glass fibers in its gypsum core that slow the spread of fire. Building codes require it in garages, furnace rooms, and shared walls in multi-family dwellings.
Unit Price
$17.00
per sheet (4x8)
Labor Cost
$11.00
per sheet (4x8)
Durability
50
years lifespan
Sustainability
3/5
Average
Category: Drywall
Range: $13.00 – $24.00/sheet (4x8)
Waste Factor: 10%
Avg Project: $2,600
Quick answer: Fire-Resistant Drywall cost in 2026
Fire-Resistant Drywall costs about $17.00 per sheet (4x8) (typical range $13.00–$24.00) plus roughly $11.00 per sheet (4x8) for installation labor, or about $28.00 per sheet (4x8) installed. Order 10% extra for waste: 500 sheet (4x8)s becomes 550 sheet (4x8)s, about $9,350 in material and $14,850 installed. HammerIO planning estimates, a national baseline adjusted by regional factors on city and state pages.
Labor is priced by drywall installers: the BLS OEWS May 2025 median wage is $28.33/hr nationally, $34.29 in New York and $23.18 in Dallas. Last reviewed .
Estimate Fire-Resistant Drywall (Type X) Cost Before You Order or Compare Bids
Step 1
Price Fire-Resistant Drywall (Type X) by the right unit
Start with the measured quantity in sheet (4x8)s, then compare the current unit range of $13.00 to $24.00 per sheet (4x8).
Step 2
Add waste, labor, and install accessories
Apply the default 10% waste factor, then include labor, fasteners, trim, adhesives, delivery, rental tools, and other project-specific accessories.
Step 3
Use the result to check written bids
Compare the calculator result against supplier units and contractor line items, then verify code, permit, and site-condition assumptions before ordering.
Contractor Takeoff Notes
How to Budget Fire-Resistant Drywall (Type X) Without Missing Hidden Costs
Fire-Resistant Drywall (Type X) should be budgeted as a complete installed assembly, not only as a commodity unit price. Quantity, waste, labor, local supply, code requirements, and the accessories needed for installation drive the final project cost.
$3,108
sample total for 111 sheet (4x8)s
Price drivers
+Unit price ranges from $13.00 to $24.00 per sheet (4x8), with $17.00 as the national midpoint used in this calculator.
+Labor is modeled at $11.00 per sheet (4x8), but local contractor rates and project access can move that number sharply.
+The default 10% waste factor covers typical cuts and field losses; complex layouts need a larger buffer.
Ordering checks
+Measure the installed quantity in sheet (4x8)s before adding waste or accessories.
+Confirm grade, thickness, profile, warranty, and code requirements before comparing quotes.
Type X fire-resistant drywall contains glass fibers in its gypsum core that slow the spread of fire. Building codes require it in garages, furnace rooms, and shared walls in multi-family dwellings. In 2026, fire-resistant drywall (type x) prices average $17.00 per sheet (4x8), with a typical range of $13.00 to $24.00 depending on your region, supplier relationships, and order quantity.
When budgeting for a project using fire-resistant drywall (type x), factor in approximately 10% additional material for waste, plus labor costs averaging $11.00 per sheet (4x8) for professional installation. A typical project using this material runs approximately $2,600 including both materials and labor.
With an expected lifespan of 50 years, fire-resistant drywall (type x) represents a cost of approximately $0.34 per sheet (4x8) per year of service life. This exceptional longevity makes it one of the most cost-effective materials when measured over its full lifespan.
For searchers comparing bids, the key number is not only the shelf price. The installed cost for fire-resistant drywall (type x) depends on accessory materials, waste, job access, minimum order size, delivery, regional labor rates, and whether the project needs permit or code-driven upgrades. This page combines the HammerIO material database with 2026 cost modeling, contractor takeoff assumptions, and public construction cost references.
Computed from this page's planning figures: material = quantity × (1 + 10% waste) × unit price; labor = quantity × $11.00 per sheet (4x8). Delivery, fasteners, adhesives, rental tools and permits are extra.
Quantity needed
Order (+10% waste)
Material (low – typical – high)
Labor allowance
Installed (typical)
100 sheet (4x8)s
111 sheet (4x8)s
$1,443 – $1,887 – $2,664
$1,100
$2,987
500 sheet (4x8)s
550 sheet (4x8)s
$7,150 – $9,350 – $13,200
$5,500
$14,850
1,000 sheet (4x8)s
1,100 sheet (4x8)s
$14,300 – $18,700 – $26,400
$11,000
$29,700
HammerIO planning estimates (national baseline adjusted by regional factors). Verify permit requirements with your local building department.
Who Installs Fire-Resistant Drywall: Drywall installers Wages in the 10 Largest Metros
The $11.00 per sheet (4x8) labor allowance is a national figure. To localize it, compare your metro's median wage for drywall and ceiling tile installers with the U.S. median below and scale the allowance by the same ratio.
Drywall installers: median hourly wage, 10 largest U.S. metros vs. national (BLS OEWS May 2025)
Metro area
Median wage
vs. U.S. median
United States
$28.33/hr
baseline
New York, NY-NJ
$34.29/hr
+21%
Los Angeles, CA
$30.19/hr
+7%
Chicago, IL-IN
$33.23/hr
+17%
Dallas, TX
$23.18/hr
-18%
Houston, TX
$22.89/hr
-19%
Washington, DC-VA-MD-WV
$28.40/hr
at U.S. median
Miami, FL
$24.12/hr
-15%
Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD
$29.46/hr
+4%
Atlanta, GA
$28.69/hr
+1%
Phoenix, AZ
$25.13/hr
-11%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), median hourly wages. These are employee wages, not contractor billing rates, a contractor's quoted hourly rate adds overhead, insurance, equipment and profit on top of the wage. “, ” means BLS did not publish a metro estimate for that occupation. Occupation: Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers (SOC 47-2081).
New York, NY-NJ drywall installers earn a median $34.29/hr (+21% vs. the $28.33 U.S. median) while Houston, TX is $22.89/hr (-19%). For a 500-sheet (4x8) job that moves the $5,500 national labor allowance to roughly $4,444 in Houston, TX and $6,657 in New York, NY-NJ, before contractor overhead and profit. See the state construction cost pages for statewide figures.
Methodology & Data Sources: Fire-Resistant Drywall (Type X) Cost Data
How we calculate Fire-Resistant Drywall (Type X) costs: Our pricing model combines the HammerIO material database (planning estimates, a national baseline adjusted by regional factors on city and state pages), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2025 trade wages for the labor allowance, EPA Environmentally Preferable Purchasing guidance for sustainability ratings, DOE Building Technologies Office benchmarks for energy-related materials, and contractor takeoff assumptions. Unit prices are reviewed quarterly and cross-checked against common supplier ranges where available.
Unit price ($17.00/sheet (4x8)): National midpoint estimate for mid-market grade materials sourced through standard supply channels.
Average project cost ($2,600): Derived from material quantity, labor allowance, waste, and typical residential/light commercial installation assumptions.
Waste factor (10%): Per NAHB (National Association of Home Builders) construction waste estimation guidelines, accounting for cuts, breakage, and field adjustments.
Durability (50 years): HammerIO planning estimate based on typical manufacturer warranty periods and expected service life for the material class under normal residential use.
Sustainability rating (3/5): Composite score from EPA Environmentally Preferable Purchasing criteria, including embodied carbon, recyclability, and VOC emissions per LEED v4.1 thresholds.
Disclaimer: Construction material prices vary significantly by region, supplier, project volume, and market conditions. The figures shown represent national averages and should be used for budgeting and comparison purposes only. Always obtain local contractor quotes before committing to a project budget.
Reviewed by Rowan Ashby · Last updated September 17, 2026 · Pricing sourced from the HammerIO 2026 material database (planning estimates), BLS OEWS May 2025 trade wages, public agency guidance, and contractor takeoff assumptions
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How much does fire-resistant drywall (type x) cost in 2026?
Fire-Resistant Drywall (Type X) costs an average of $17.00 per sheet (4x8) in 2026. Prices range from $13.00 to $24.00 per sheet (4x8) depending on your location, supplier, and quantity purchased. A typical project using fire-resistant drywall (type x) costs approximately $2,600.
How long does fire-resistant drywall (type x) last?
Fire-Resistant Drywall (Type X) has an expected lifespan of approximately 50 years when properly installed and maintained. Actual durability depends on climate exposure, installation quality, and maintenance practices. This is considered a very long-lasting material that often outlasts the building itself.
What is fire-resistant drywall (type x) used for?
Fire-Resistant Drywall (Type X) is commonly used for Garage walls, Furnace rooms, Fire-rated assemblies, Multi-family dividing walls. It falls in the Drywall category of construction materials. Type X fire-resistant drywall contains glass fibers in its gypsum core that slow the spread of fire. Building codes require it in garages, furnace rooms, and shared walls in multi-family dwellings.
How much waste should I plan for with fire-resistant drywall (type x)?
Plan for approximately 10% waste when ordering fire-resistant drywall (type x). For a project requiring 100 sheet (4x8)s of material, you should order 111 sheet (4x8)s to account for cuts, breakage, and fitting. Waste factors vary by project complexity and installer experience.
What are alternatives to fire-resistant drywall (type x)?
Common alternatives to Fire-Resistant Drywall (Type X) include Standard Drywall (Gypsum Board), Soundproof Drywall, Cement Board (Backer Board). Each alternative offers different trade-offs in terms of cost, durability, and performance. Standard Drywall (Gypsum Board) costs $14.00 per sheet (4x8) and lasts approximately 50 years.
Is fire-resistant drywall (type x) sustainable?
Fire-Resistant Drywall (Type X) has a sustainability rating of 3 out of 5 (Average). This material has an average environmental impact. Consider locally sourced options when available to reduce transportation-related emissions.
How much does 500 sheet (4x8)s of fire-resistant drywall cost installed?
Ordering 500 sheet (4x8)s with the 10% waste factor means buying 550 sheet (4x8)s: about $9,350 in material at the $17.00 planning price (range $7,150–$13,200), plus roughly $5,500 in installation labor at the $11.00 per sheet (4x8) allowance, about $14,850 total before delivery, fasteners, adhesives and permits. These are HammerIO planning estimates (national baseline); regional factors and supplier quotes move the final number.
Who installs fire-resistant drywall and what do they earn per hour in 2026?
Fire-Resistant Drywall is typically installed by drywall installers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS, May 2025) reports a national median wage of $28.33 per hour for Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers, ranging from $22.89 in Houston, TX to $34.29 in New York, NY-NJ among the ten largest metros. Contractor billing rates run higher than the wage because they include overhead, insurance, equipment and profit, so use the metro-to-national ratio, not the wage itself, to adjust the labor allowance on this page.