I want to renovate my basement, but as I was walking through my local hardware store, I noticed a variety of sheetrock that are mold resistant to fire resistent and at different thicknesses. Is a thicker board better for the basement?Also, is there a way to test moisture in a basement over sheetrock or would I have to remove the sheetrock and apply a plastic sheet with tape to test for moisture?thanks!
You should really use mold retardant sheetrock in the basement. It might actually be required by code depending on where you live. I helped a guy fix up a house and the inspector told him to sheetrock the ceiling of the basement and use 1/2 mold resistant sheetrock. The differences you get with thickness of sheetrock is mostly durability. Obviously thicker sheetrock will hold up longer. On ceilings especially, the 3/8 inch sheetrock will bend over time between the rafters (or floor joists in the basement) where it is screwed in. There is also a difference in sound-proofing, you hear less through walls of 5/8 than 3/8. The last difference is fire resistance, 5/8 inch sheetrock takes significantly longer for fire to burn through than 3/8. To chose which one you want to use, find out what the code requires in your area. You may be required to use mold resistant sheetrock, or you may be required to use fire resistant boards. I would use 1/2 in the basement because it is a lot easier to hang than 5/8 and you have decent durability and unlike 3/8, it will not bend or bow over time. I actually saw mold resistant fiber tape for the joints in The Home Depot, you might want to use that whether or not it's required by code just for extra measure. Some things may be more expensive to do to the tee, but if you cheap out now, you may end up pending more fixing things if they go wrong or get messed up later down the road. And most importantly, do every single thing to code and pull permits for everything, that way you are covered on all your bases.
1/2 inch drywall will work just fine
