Dry wall alternatives

[CThomp]

Basically I don't like drywall. Its a dusty dirty time consuming process and there have to be alternatives. I'm still debating tongue and grove pine. Although pricier it looks a whole heck of a lot better and is lot easier. I'd like to find some variety of vertical panelling. Not the veneer crap either.

Any suggestions?

[giddonah]

Real tongue and groove will be more time consuming and expensive than drywall. Drywall is so popular because it is so easy and cheap. If you want a texture, you might also consider plaster (I think they apply it thinly to a special drywall). If time and money are less important, than the t&g will look good, and differentiate the house. What kind of room is this for, what style house, and how long do you plan on staying there?

[montytx]

ITs only dusty if your floater can't float. If your hiring one, get one who can do it with little or no sand, and follows up with a wet sponge. That will get rid of the dust problem.

[bkrahmer]

Yeah, right. Then you'll end up with ceilings like mine. At night with the ceiling lights on, you can see every seam....

[CThomp]

I know how to drywall myself. I'm an amateur though. I just don't like doing it. The last drywall (or greenwall actually) job I did turned out pretty good but it took me forever because of the amount of corners and mudding I had to do. It was a bathroom so there were alot of angles.

The house is a 1950 ranch style. The room is a the master bedroom for now. I plan on staying in the house probably 10 or so years maybe more.

[VALENT]

It is hard to beat drywall. Put up with the dust while you have to and then you're finished. Otherwise, you can use plywood to finish the walls and solid boards to cover the seems and come out with a very nice room-expensive, however. I have seen a few walls done like this and man, they are nice.

[bkrahmer]

Valent kinda pointed out the the thing I was going to mention with just doing t&g boards. Most of the time I've seen them, they are running vertically, which means you need a good surface underneath to attach them to.

[Dragon]

t&g is very nice, and you have the option of running it in different directions to create patterns.

[montytx]

Yeah, right. Then you'll end up with ceilings like mine. At night with the ceiling lights on, you can see every seam....

Thats why when my floaters are done I run through the room with a pencil and a flashlight. I run the light at a sharp angle and look for lines. Works like a charm and they know Im serious.

Of course in my house ( 1910) I have shiplap and rock over it. THe ceilings have started sagging in the livigroom from all that weight. In other properties we have had to rip out the ceiling and joist to fix it. Something to think about if you go TG. You need extra support on the joist. 2x6 at 16oc, depending on the span.

[giddonah]

when my floaters are done I run through the room with a pencil and a flashlight. I run the light at a sharp angle and look for lines. Works like a charm and they know Im serious.
I think you have trust issues. :wink: :lol:

[montytx]

No, No trust issues what so ever. I think you have to have trust to begin with. When it comes to subs I have non.

[VALENT]

How much are you paying for drywall contractors? I'm guessing you must be paying a premium for that good a job.

[Sweep]

I don't know where you are located but where I live we use veneer plaster (blueboard) and there is very little dust (from cutting) and the end result looks better and is more durable. In some areas of the country it is either unheard of or costs three times as much.

[vinman]

i thought drywall was a code requirement for fire resistance.

[Sweep]

The gypsum wall board in a veneer plaster system is no different from taped gypsum wall board except for the blue paper facing which is more absorbent. They can all carry the same fire-resistance ratings.

http://www.usg.com:80/navigate.do?resource=/USG_Marketing_Content/usg.com/web_files/products/prod_family_overview/Imperial_Brand_Veneer_Basecoat_Plasters-PFO.htm

Fire-rated drywall in a single family residence is usually only required in the shared wall or ceiling of an attached garage.

[dadio]

i just refinished a room and used regular luan and construction grade 1x4 pine as trim... used stain and Polyurethane .... it lookd awesome!

[RTF]

Theren are several paneling options out there. T & G pine is a beautiful finish, you can also use stain grade 4' x 8' sheets of bead-board. Drywall is not only one of the cheapest systems available, it also gives you multiple finish options. If the dust bothers you use a vacuum sanding system, 90% of the dust is eliminated.

[BuildWritewell]

With T & G pine you still need drywall under it for fire code correct?

[Don_P]

Only around an enclosed stairway inside the residence. I hope we're about done raising the dead :)

[Faust]

One cure for the dust is to rent a drywall sander from Home Depot. I think it is a Porter Cable unit. It is a large disc sander with a built in/attached shop vac. I have used one, it took care of at least 95% of the dust. While it didn't make sanding a joy, it sure a lot of the stink out of the job.