Drywall + texture + trim around openings. Material + labor + Level 4 finish.
You need TWO numbers: wall square footage + ceiling square footage. Take a tape measure or use a laser distance tool. Snap a quick floor plan sketch on your phone.
Measure the perimeter of the room (all four walls added together). Multiply by ceiling height. Standard ceilings are 8 ft. A 20×20 room = 80 ft perimeter × 8 ft = 640 sq ft of wall.
Length × Width = ceiling square footage. A 20×20 room = 400 sq ft of ceiling.
Doors are ~21 sq ft each, windows 12-15 sq ft each. For paint and finish work, leave them in as a waste buffer. For sheet count, subtracting can save 1-2 sheets.
Add all rooms together. Don't forget hallways, closets, and stairwell walls.
Google Earth's built-in measure tool works for floor area from the satellite view. earth.google.com
1/2" — Walls (standard)
Regular residential. 4×8 = 32 sq ft. ~$14-18/sheet.
5/8" — Ceilings + Fire-Rated
Required for ceilings (sag resistance) + fire walls (garage, attached ceilings). 4×8 = 32 sq ft. ~$20-24/sheet.
1/2" Mold/Moisture Resistant (Green Board)
Bathrooms, kitchens, basements. ~$18-22/sheet.
1/4" Flexible
For curves. Specialty. ~$22-28/sheet.
All-Purpose (Green Lid) — Bedding tape + finishing. Most common. 5-gallon ~$15-18.
Lightweight (Blue Lid) — Easier sanding, top coat only. ~$16-20.
Setting Compound (Hot Mud) — Powder mix, sets fast (20/45/90 min). For deep patches + first coat. ~$12-15/bag.
Paper Tape — Stronger, requires bedding in mud. Standard for flat seams.
Mesh Tape (Self-Adhesive) — Easier, faster, but weaker. Best for patches + small repairs.
Metal Corner Bead — Hardest, most common for outside corners.
Paper-Faced Metal (No-Coat) — Self-aligning, mudded on. Smoothest finish.
Bullnose Bead — Rounded corner look, premium residential.
Smooth (Level 5) — Skim coat over Level 4. Most labor. Best for high-end + raking light areas.
Orange Peel — Sprayed, looks like orange peel skin. Most common modern finish.
Knockdown — Sprayed then flattened with knife. Hides imperfections.
Popcorn / Acoustic — Ceilings only. Older homes. Many areas restrict due to asbestos in legacy product.
GTS Interior Supply — BSR's top pick. Drywall specialist, Pacific NW pro contractor focus, strong stock + competitive pricing.
Dunn Lumber — Pro-friendly, multiple Seattle locations, full drywall stock.
USG / L&W Supply — National drywall distributor. Best volume pricing.
Stoneway Building Supply — Local building supply, decent drywall stock.
Home Depot — (for smaller orders if closer than the distributors).
Lowe's — (for smaller orders if closer than the distributors).
Sunbelt · United Rentals · Home Depot Pro
Using 1/2" on ceilings — sags. Use 5/8".
Mesh tape on flat seams — cracks. Use paper.
Skipping prime before paint — uneven sheen.
Mud over wet seams — peels. Let each coat dry.
BSR PRO is built by a working contractor. Real drywall + finish numbers from BSR's actual field jobs in the Pacific Northwest.
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