Equivalent sheetrock screw to nail sizes


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Old 12-20-18, 01:51 PM
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Equivalent sheetrock screw to nail sizes

Code states what type of nails should be used for 1/2" and 5/8" drywall, but only says "or equivalent drywall screws". What exactly does "equivalent" refer to? The length? Reason I ask is because I have a huge box of 1-5/8" screws that I'd like to use for the 5/8" drywall ceilings (adhesive will be used) and another large box of 1-1/4" screws that I'd like to use for the 1/2" walls.
 
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Old 12-20-18, 02:10 PM
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I almost always use 1 5/8" screws although I rarely hang 5/8" board. The only times I've ever used 1 1/4" screws is with 3/8" drywall or with steel studs [different screw thread] I don't know what the code requirements are.
 
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Old 12-20-18, 02:44 PM
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Sounds like you're on the right track. Like Mark, I'm not exactly sure of code requirements for screw length, except that I do know that the minimum setback for routing NM cable through a stud is 1-1/4", so to avoid inadvertently running a screw into existing cables, assuming they were installed to code, you would want a maximum 1-1/4" in the stud. And knowing that things are not perfectly centered in the real world I would err to something closer to 1" penetration.
 
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Old 12-20-18, 08:43 PM
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I use almost exclusively 1 1/4" screws, although like Marksr I don't hang a lot of 5/8" material. I also use 1" screws if the drywall is to go up on furring strips nailed to a block wall. You are probably clear of any electrical on the ceiling joists, however make good notes as to where electrical is fished through the studs or install nailing plates before hanging your drywall.
 
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Old 12-21-18, 03:12 AM
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I have a very old (20+ years) USG installation guide that I used for years before I retired. It calls for 1-1/4" screws for 1/2" drywall and 1-5/8" screws for 5/8" drywall. I don't know if code required it, but I always installed nailing strips where electrical wiring ran through walls.
 
 

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