Where can I buy fire-rated Type X drywall in the Toronto area and how much does it cost per sheet?

Fire-rated Type X drywall is widely available across the GTA from both big-box retailers and specialty drywall suppliers, with pricing running $20–$28 per 4x8 sheet for standard 5/8-inch Type X. This is one of the most commonly stocked drywall products in the Toronto market because every attached garage, furnace room, and multi-unit fire separation in Ontario requires it.

The major home improvement retailers — Home Depot and Rona locations throughout Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham, Vaughan, and the surrounding GTA — carry 5/8-inch Type X in 4x8 sheets as a standard stock item. You can typically walk into any GTA location and buy it off the shelf or arrange delivery. For larger quantities (20+ sheets), call ahead to confirm stock levels, as popular locations in high-renovation areas can run low during peak renovation season (April through October). Big-box pricing in the GTA currently sits at $22–$28 per 4x8 sheet for name-brand CGC or GP products.

Specialty drywall distributors are the better option for larger projects, offering lower per-sheet pricing and professional delivery service. These suppliers deal primarily with drywall contractors and sell in volume, passing along savings that big-box stores cannot match. For orders of 50+ sheets, expect pricing of $20–$24 per sheet — a meaningful savings on a full garage conversion or basement furnace room enclosure. Most specialty suppliers offer free delivery on orders over $500, and their delivery crews are experienced at placing heavy drywall loads exactly where you need them (garage, basement, specific rooms) rather than dropping a pallet in the driveway.

What exactly makes Type X fire-rated? The "X" designation means the gypsum core is reinforced with glass fibres that hold the board together under fire conditions. A single layer of 5/8-inch Type X provides a 45-minute fire resistance rating when properly installed — joints taped and finished, screws at correct spacing, all penetrations sealed with fire-rated caulking. This is the minimum requirement under the Ontario Building Code for the wall and ceiling assembly between an attached garage and the house. For assemblies requiring a 1-hour fire rating (condo party walls, certain furnace room enclosures), a single layer of Type X on each side of the framing is typically required, or double-layered assemblies may be specified.

For enhanced fire protection, Type C drywall offers superior fire resistance with additional glass fibres and vermiculite in the core, providing longer fire endurance than Type X. Type C runs $28–$38 per 4x8 sheet in the GTA and is used where 2-hour fire ratings are required — primarily in commercial and multi-unit residential construction.

How Much Do You Need?

For common GTA residential projects requiring Type X:

Attached garage fire separation (standard two-car garage): The garage-side walls and ceiling shared with the house need Type X. For a typical 20x22-foot garage with an 8-foot ceiling and one shared wall plus ceiling, plan on 15–25 sheets depending on the layout. At current GTA pricing, that is roughly $350–$600 in board alone, plus tape, compound, and fasteners.

Furnace/mechanical room enclosure: A typical 8x10-foot furnace room requires 8–12 sheets of Type X for the walls and ceiling — roughly $180–$300 in materials.

Full project costs including professional installation run $3.50–$6.00 per square foot for fire-rated drywall assemblies in the GTA. This covers the board, screws, tape, compound, labour for hanging and finishing, and fire-rated caulking at penetrations. For a garage fire separation project, expect a total installed cost of $2,000–$4,500 depending on the scope.

One important note: fire-rated assemblies are only as good as their weakest point. Every electrical box, plumbing penetration, HVAC duct, and recessed light that passes through a fire-rated wall or ceiling must be properly fire-stopped. A fire-rated wall with an unsealed gap around a wire run is not a fire-rated wall. This is why hiring a professional drywall contractor for fire-rated work is strongly recommended — the hanging and finishing are straightforward, but ensuring every detail meets Ontario Building Code requirements for fire separation integrity requires experience and knowledge of the code. Toronto Drywall Installers can connect you with contractors experienced in fire-rated residential drywall work through the Toronto Construction Network.