I have a house built in 1972 it has 3/8 sheetrock on walls is this ok i thought shoul be 1/2 inch?

3/8 seems kind of thin...maybe that was code back then.





I think nowadays it is a minimum of 5/8.I have a house built in 1972 it has 3/8 sheetrock on walls is this ok i thought shoul be 1/2 inch?
It is okay , It's been standing since 1972 so far with out a problem right ? :))I have a house built in 1972 it has 3/8 sheetrock on walls is this ok i thought shoul be 1/2 inch?
Normally it is 1/2 inch but some built with 3/8 as a money saver...It is ok but you have to be carefull what you hang on the wall and make sure you use the right type of anchors for that thin drywall as it is very easy to have something to heavy, ie mirrors etc., pull out and leave a hole to fix.. I had 3/8 in a previous home and a contractor buddy helped me strengthen the walls by applying a good grade wall paper which was actually a cloth like material over the painted wall. I chose a texture and color wallpaper that if in the future I wanted to paint it, it would accept a good quality paint and cover completely..
3/8's is fine you can still buy it today.Thats just what the used back then it fine a little fragile wont take the abuse that half inch will but nothing to worry about.
Today's codes call for minimum of 1/2'; partly for fire proofing between rooms, and 5/8'; for fire proofing between garage and house. The 3/8'; was generally used under a skim coat of plaster. If you don't like it you can add another layer over the existing but you will have to use extensions on the electrical boxes, door jambs, window sills.