Gold Bond 5/8-in x 4-ft x 12-ft Fire-Shield Fire Resistant Type X Drywall Panel

Charlotte Wood Middle School, Danville, California

It was 1991, and our company was framing the entire middle school. The Charlotte Wood Middle School was built out of Douglas Fir Lumber, Pressure Treated Plates, and different kinds of Plywood. I negotiated a contract with a lumber mill in Oregon to provide all the dimensional lumber for the project. I had lumber being delivered from their mill for months. GREAT PROJECT! Rick Aguilar - Cost Estimator

Overview

• What It Is

  • Gold Bond® Fire-Shield Type X Drywall

  • Size: 5/8" × 4' × 12'

  • Fire-resistant Type X core with noncombustible fibers

  • UL Classified for fire-rated assemblies

  • Ideal for walls & ceilings in residential and commercial projects

  • Provides durability, sound reduction, and sag resistance

  Key Features & Benefits

  • Key Features

    • Type X Fire-Resistant Core – reinforced with noncombustible fibers

    • 5/8" Thickness – provides strength and durability

    • Tapered Edges – for easy finishing and seamless joints

    • UL Classified – tested for fire-rated assemblies

    • Sound Control – helps reduce noise transmission

    • Sag-Resistant – suitable for ceilings

    • Standard Size – 4' x 12' panel for faster installation

    Benefits

    • Enhanced Fire Protection – slows fire spread in residential and commercial spaces

    • Improved Safety & Compliance – meets ASTM C1396 requirements

    • Versatile Application – ideal for walls and ceilings in fire-rated designs

    • Durable Performance – maintains stability under demanding conditions

    • Better Acoustic Comfort – contributes to quieter interiors

    • Efficient Installation – large panel size reduces seams and labor

  Pros & Trade-Offs

  Pros

  • Provides enhanced fire resistance (Type X rating) — useful in fire-rated walls/ceilings, helping to slow fire spread.

  • Strong and durable — 5/8-inch thickness gives rigidity and resistance to damage.

  • Tapered edges — more seamless joints, easier finishing and less visible seams.

  • Large panel size (4 × 12 ft) — covers more area, fewer joints, can reduce labor time.

  • Works with standard finishing tools and methods.

  • Helps with sound control when installed properly.

  • Often accepted in building codes and UL fire-rated assemblies.

  Trade-Offs / Limitations

  • Weight — the thicker, larger panels are heavier and more difficult to handle, cut, lift, especially for ceilings. Requires more manpower or special handling.

  • Cost — more expensive per panel/material than regular drywall (non-Type X), due to fire-resistant core.

  • Finish effort — large panels can show more board joints; more care needed with supporting framing, fasteners, joint treatment to maintain fire rating.

  • Limited suitability for wet areas — unless it has additional moisture/mold resistance, Type X alone doesn’t protect against moisture damage.

  • Transportation/installation constraints — large panels are more bulky, may be harder to maneuver in tight spaces.

  • Possible over-specification — for some applications, the fire rating might be more than required, meaning you’re paying for a higher spec when a standard drywall would suffice.

  Practical Project Ideas for Homeowners:

  Fire Safety Upgrades

  • Garage-to-House Wall Upgrade
    Replace existing drywall with Type X between the garage and living space for improved fire separation.

  • Basement Furnace Room Enclosure
    Add fire-resistant drywall around furnace or boiler rooms to help slow fire spread.

  • Attached Garage Ceiling
    Install beneath living areas above garages for compliance with many local fire codes.

  🏠 Interior Renovations

  • Home Office Conversion
    Build fire-rated walls for added safety in a dedicated work-from-home space.

  • Basement Finishing
    Use on ceilings and walls to create safer living or recreational areas.

  • Laundry Room Remodeling
    Protect against potential fire risks near dryers or water heaters.

  🔇 Comfort & Lifestyle Improvements

  • Soundproof Shared Walls
    Combine Type X drywall with insulation to reduce noise between bedrooms or between a home theater and main living areas.

  • Quiet Nursery or Guest Room
    Upgrade walls for both fire protection and sound reduction.

  🛠 Durability-Focused Projects

  • Workshop Walls
    Provides fire resistance and added toughness in spaces with power tools.

  • Kitchen Remodel
    Use behind appliances and around pantries for extra safety.

  👉 These projects not only increase safety and compliance, but also boost resale value since fire-resistant upgrades are attractive to buyers.

• Why Choose - Gold Bond 5/8-in x 4-ft x 12-ft Fire-Shield Fire Resistant Type X Drywall Panels?

  • Key Reasons to Choose It

    1. Fire Resistance

       • The Type X core is specially designed for fire-rated assemblies. It helps delay fire progression by having a core that resists high heat and combustion.

       • Used in UL certified systems for walls/ceilings, giving confidence that it meets recognized safety standards.

    2. Reduced Sound Transmission

       • Because of its greater thickness (5/8 in) and dense core, it helps reduce sound passing through walls or ceilings more than thinner drywall panels.

    3. Durability / Stability

       • Resists warping, buckling, rippling, and sagging, especially in ceilings or in frames with wider spacing (up to certain codes).

       • Face paper is heavy, and the edges are reinforced (paper folded around long edges) to protect the gypsum core, which helps in handling and finish.

    4. Ease of Installation

       • GridMarX® guide marks help locate studs/joists quickly and make accurate cuts without always having to draw lines. Saves time.

       • Cuts, scores, works with standard drywall tools and finishing materials.

    5. Environmental / Indoor Air Quality Benefits

       • Uses 100% recycled paper for face and back sides.

       • Certified for low VOC emissions (UL GREENGUARD Gold), which helps indoor air quality concerns.

    6. Code Compliance and Safety

       • For many building codes, certain walls/ceilings (especially between garage & living space, or in multi-residential buildings) require fire-rated assemblies. This product helps meet those requirements.

       • Also useful in renovations to upgrade safety without completely rebuilding — using Type X panels can help bring old walls up to current standards.

  When This Board Really Shines

  • Fire Safety Critical Areas

    • Garage-to-House Separation – Building codes often require fire-rated walls/ceilings between garages and living areas. Type X boards provide the necessary fire protection.

    • Basement Furnace/Boiler Rooms – Adds critical resistance where fire risks are highest.

    • Multifamily Units (Apartments, Condos, Townhomes) – Provides code-compliant fire separation between living units for safety and insurance requirements.

    🏢 High-Use or Commercial Projects

    • Commercial Corridors & Stairwells – Where longer evacuation times demand higher fire ratings.

    • Schools, Healthcare, and Institutional Buildings – Fire protection and sound control are both essential.

    • Office Buildings – Used in walls and ceilings for compliance and occupant safety.

    🔇 Sound Control Applications

    • Bedrooms, Nurseries, and Home Theaters – The thicker, denser core helps cut down sound transfer.

    • Shared Walls in Multi-Unit Housing – Meets both fire and acoustic performance needs.

    🛠 Durability & Ceiling Use

    • Ceilings with Wider Joist Spacing – The 5/8-inch thickness makes it more sag-resistant than thinner drywall.

    • Workshops & Utility Spaces – Tougher surface and added fire protection where tools, heaters, or electrical equipment are present.

    ✅ In short: This board really shines anywhere safety, compliance, and peace of mind are top priorities — especially where fire resistance and sound control must work together.

Ask Rick, example:“What’s the best Gypsum Board for this application? or “ When should I use fire-rated (Type X) drywall?”

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