Can I use gypsum board in ceilings at 24″ o.c. support?
According to the Gypsum Association publications GA-216 and GA-201, gypsum board could be applied in a ceiling framed 24″ o.c. provided the board length is at right angles to the framing members. The Gypsum Association also mentions that a water-based texture should not be applied to any board applied to framing 24″ o.c. The excessive amount of water in the texture could cause the board to sag. We always advise our customers to use either 5/8″ board or CD ceiling board in such applications. Once the board sags, it is much more expensive to replace than to use the right product initially. Sag in the ceilings of new homes is a common complaint. Most of the time, research reveals it is not the board but job site conditions that cause the board to sag. Propane heaters combined with poor ventilation cause build-up of moisture in the house. A non-insulated (poly sheet) vapor barrier in the plenum also could cause board sag. The water in the texture evaporates through the board and into the p
