Premium grades of sheet rock or drywall

Please explain how I can specify premium grades of sheet rock or drywall for my house-remodel project, specifically 1/2 inch material that approaches the strength and structural integrity of 1/2 inch fir plywood. Does each manufacturer have their own grading system, or are there industry standards? And what is the difference between "sheet rock" and "drywall"?

I know very little about sheet rock or drywall, except that the stuff in my house seems to crumble every time I cut a hole in it for a light switch.

The only time I actually developed a respect for the structural integrity of sheet rock: I cut a hole (for a ceiling fan) in the bathroom ceiling of a house built in 1950. After 50+ years in a high-humidity environment, it felt like my sabre saw was cutting through top-grade 1/2 inch fir plywood!

So there must be a wide range of sheet rock grades. For example, when Microsoft created their technology campus, I assume that all building materials were specified for a 50-year design life.

Thank you for considering my question!

 

There are types of sheetrock (same as drywall..different terms in diff regions).. but I don't think there are "grades". Types would be water resistant (though they really aren't very), fire resistant, sound transfer resistant...etc, etc. I won't pretend to know the difference.

I don't think sheetrock contributes any real structural strength, you could put 2 or 3 sheets up and still punch a hole right through with a hammer blow.

You could always specify thicker sheets (5/8 or thicker vs 1/2), but you won't find anything close to 1/2 plywood strength to my knowlege.

I'm guessing what you cut through in the old place was plaster..not drywall. Plaster is much harder than drywall.

No expert...but there are quite a few here that should respond soon.

 

I agree with GG, sheetrock adds absolutely no structural integrity, especially anything that approaches plywood. I think you must have been cutting plaster and lath. It is a veneer for holding paint and wallpaper, and to keep your insulation from falling on the floor, that's about it.
Now, you can get into fire resistant 5/8" rock that has different properties, but unless you are separating areas that need the fire protection the added cost isn't worth it.

 

And the more veneer laminates it has, the stronger it is, also.