How effective is fire-resistant drywall in average homes?

Fire-code drywall, which is designed to be more fire-resistant than standard drywall, can increase a home's walls' fire resistance rating to at least one hour. This is a 30-minute increase from the standard 30-minute rating that typically comes with half-inch drywall installation.

The fire-code drywall usually is also a little bit thicker, which helps slow the spread of fire in domestic environments. The denser core prevents the material from crumbling when it overheats, which adds to the longevity of the wall and slows the progression of fire. Though it is more expensive, it protects the home from fire more efficiently.