Do you cover all of Calgary for basement drywall?

Yes — we cover all four Calgary quadrants, Airdrie, Cochrane and surrounding communities, 7 days a week. The only exception is downtown high-rise towers, which require working-at-heights permits and building-management access we do not carry.

What type of drywall do you use for exterior basement walls in Calgary?

Moisture-resistant (green board or purple board) on all walls against the exterior foundation and around plumbing and laundry. Standard 1/2” drywall for interior partition walls away from moisture. For legal suites, 5/8” Type X fire-rated on the ceiling and soundproof board on party walls. We specify before we start.

Do you do legal suite basement drywall in Calgary?

Yes, and we know the spec. Calgary legal suites require 5/8” Type X fire-rated board on the ceiling separating the suite from the floor above, and STC-rated soundproof board on the party walls between the suite and the main living space. We board to that spec so the suite passes inspection.

How long does basement drywall take in a Calgary home?

A typical open basement in a Calgary new build takes two to four days to board and another two to three days to tape, mud and finish (mud needs drying time between coats). A basement suite conversion with more complex framing takes longer. We give you a realistic timeline at the on-site quote.

Can you board a basement that was partially started?

All the time. We assess what is already there — whether the board choice is correct for each surface, whether the framing is square enough to board, whether any board needs to come down — and give you a straight price to finish it properly. We do not just board over problems.

Basement Drywall Calgary | Emplastrum Drywall

Basement drywall boarded, taped and finished right the first time

Finishing a basement is one of the most common drywall jobs across Calgary — and one of the most variable. A legal suite conversion in an older Silver Springs or Ranchlands bungalow is a different project than boarding a new basement in a Legacy or Mahogany home. We assess the framing, specify the right board type for each surface (moisture-resistant on exterior walls and around mechanical, standard on interior walls, soundproof between suites), tape and mud all joints to Level 4, and leave the basement paint-ready. We cover all four Calgary quadrants, Airdrie and Cochrane, 7 days a week.

Basement boarding and taping — Level 4 finish as standard
Moisture-resistant board on exterior walls and around plumbing
Soundproof board between legal suite and main floor
Fire-rated board where code requires it
Bulkheads, soffits, mechanical chases and custom ceiling work
Legal suite and secondary suite conversions across Calgary
Sanded flat and paint-ready before we leave

What affects the cost of basement drywall in Calgary?

Linear footage, board type and ceiling complexity in Calgary basements

The cost of basement drywall in Calgary comes down to five things: total linear footage of framed wall, ceiling square footage and height, the number of bulkheads, soffits and chases, board type (standard, moisture-resistant or soundproof cost differently), and how much mechanical, plumbing and structural work the walls have to work around. A simple open basement in a 2010s SE Calgary new build is different from a basement in a 1970s Silver Springs bungalow with low ceilings and exposed beams. We measure on site and give you a fixed price before we start.

Legal suite requirements and Calgary basement drywall specs

A legal secondary suite in Calgary has specific drywall requirements — 5/8” Type X fire-rated board on the ceiling between the suite and the floor above, and STC-rated soundproof board on suite walls. Moisture-resistant board is required in bathrooms, laundry and any wall with exterior exposure. We know the Calgary spec and we board to it — you will not need to call us back to add board before an inspection.

Our Calgary basement drywall process, step by step

Board selection before we start — right product for every surface

Basement drywall in Calgary is not one-product-fits-all. Exterior foundation walls need moisture-resistant board. Any wall touching a bathroom or laundry needs moisture-resistant. If there is a legal suite below or above, the ceiling and party walls need fire-rated. STC-rated soundproof board between the suite and the main living area reduces noise transmission significantly. We specify the right product for each surface before we pull the first sheet — not after the inspector flags it.

Boarding, taping and mudding in Calgary basements

Once the right board is on the right surfaces, every seam, inside corner, outside corner and fastener head gets taped and mudded to Level 4 — three coats, proper drying time between each, sanded flat. Basement ceilings in Calgary homes often have bulkheads for HVAC, beams and posts that need framing around them. We tape all of that to the same standard as the walls. When we leave, the basement looks the same quality from floor to ceiling.

Basement drywall board types in Calgary homes

Standard drywall — interior basement walls away from moisture

Standard 1/2” drywall is fine for interior basement walls that have no moisture exposure — the walls separating rooms inside the basement, partition walls for a home office, bedroom or recreation room. It is lighter to handle and finishes the same as the rest of the house. Most interior basement walls in Calgary homes use standard board.

Moisture-resistant and fire-rated board — where it matters

Exterior foundation walls — the ones against the concrete — need moisture-resistant board, even with a vapour barrier behind the framing. Bathrooms and laundry rooms need moisture-resistant on all walls. If you are converting an older Calgary bungalow basement to a legal suite, the ceiling requires 5/8” Type X fire-rated board. Soundproof board for party walls between the suite and the rest of the house is worth doing right if you want the suite to be liveable and rentable.

Basement drywall work we do across Calgary

New basement developments in Calgary’s newer communities

The most common basement drywall job in SE and NE Calgary — Legacy, Mahogany, Walden, Cranston, Auburn Bay, Copperfield, Cornerstone, Saddle Ridge — is the new development: framing was included at possession, the homeowner wants to finish the space, and they want it done properly to Level 4. We board, tape and finish these Calgary basements start to finish, with the right board spec on every surface, and leave them ready for flooring and paint.

Basement conversions and suite additions in established Calgary neighbourhoods

In established NW and SW Calgary — Silver Springs, Ranchlands, Hawkwood, Edgemont, Lakeview, Haysboro, Shawnessy — the most common basement drywall call is a conversion or suite addition. The basement has old drywall or no drywall, low ceilings, exposed mechanical and an awkward layout. We have done enough of these to know how to frame around the obstacles, spec the right board and leave a basement that looks intentional rather than improvised.

Why Calgary homeowners trust Emplastrum for basement drywall

We spec the board before we touch the framing

Most drywall crews in Calgary board everything the same way and leave the homeowner to sort out inspection issues later. We walk every basement before we price it and specify the right product for each surface in writing. Moisture-resistant where it belongs, fire-rated where code requires, soundproof where the spec calls for it. You will not be calling us back to redo board before a permit inspection.

Fixed price, same-day reply, all Calgary quadrants

We cover all four Calgary quadrants, Airdrie and Cochrane, 7 days a week — every established and newer Calgary community from Silver Springs and Ranchlands to Legacy, Mahogany and Walden. Free on-site quotes, fixed prices — you know the number before we start and it does not change.

How it works

Simple, clean, on schedule

Free quote

We come out, take a look, and give you a real price. No guessing after.

Book a day

We pick a date that works for you and show up when we say.

The work

We keep the dust down and tidy up before we head out.

Walk it with you

We don't pack up till you've looked it over and you're happy.

FAQ — Basement Drywall Calgary

Basement Drywall Calgary: your questions answered

Do you cover all of Calgary for basement drywall?›: Yes — we cover all four Calgary quadrants, Airdrie, Cochrane and surrounding communities, 7 days a week. The only exception is downtown high-rise towers, which require working-at-heights permits and building-management access we do not carry.
What type of drywall do you use for exterior basement walls in Calgary?›: Moisture-resistant (green board or purple board) on all walls against the exterior foundation and around plumbing and laundry. Standard 1/2” drywall for interior partition walls away from moisture. For legal suites, 5/8” Type X fire-rated on the ceiling and soundproof board on party walls. We specify before we start.
Do you do legal suite basement drywall in Calgary?›: Yes, and we know the spec. Calgary legal suites require 5/8” Type X fire-rated board on the ceiling separating the suite from the floor above, and STC-rated soundproof board on the party walls between the suite and the main living space. We board to that spec so the suite passes inspection.
How long does basement drywall take in a Calgary home?›: A typical open basement in a Calgary new build takes two to four days to board and another two to three days to tape, mud and finish (mud needs drying time between coats). A basement suite conversion with more complex framing takes longer. We give you a realistic timeline at the on-site quote.
Can you board a basement that was partially started?›: All the time. We assess what is already there — whether the board choice is correct for each surface, whether the framing is square enough to board, whether any board needs to come down — and give you a straight price to finish it properly. We do not just board over problems.

The basement drywall contractor Calgary trusts

Emplastrum is the drywall contractor Calgary homeowners call for basement development. From framing inspection to Level 4 or 5 taping finish, we board, tape and mud every basement in NW, NE, SW and SE Calgary, Airdrie and Cochrane. As a fully insured drywall contractor in Calgary we carry liability on every job — fixed written price before a single sheet goes up.

See everything your drywall contractor in Calgary covers →

Basement Drywall Calgary

Basement drywall boarded, taped and finished right the first time