Drywall Alternatives

[WyoFox]

Disclaimer: we haven't taken the class yet so I'm sure we'll hear more details in class and on the member's side but I am so excited and curious I just have to ask now!

Husband and I are looking at alternatives to drywall. Husband isn't crazy about drywall, about having to keep it dent-free with 5 little kids (a.k.a. constant repairs) and also the installation. Has anyone used any alternatives? Looking online brought up some cool looking results--"pallet walls" which are super cheap which is a plus and also a lot sturdier, not sure the kids could easily destroy it. I also thought "cob walls" looked cool, they're basically sculpted walls so you can add little artistic touches and nooks. But maybe more labor intensive and I'm not sure how good it would look with a couple of amateurs taking a stab at it. haha.

There are other options I'm sure. My thought is some alternative that has more of a rustic feel would just look better alongside the logs.

Also, I'm talking about our 25x25 "cabin" which we'll build first and live in while we build the "dream home." Eventually it could be a guest home or rental, so folks other than just family would have to want to live there.

[rckclmbr428]

Rough sawn lumber, live edge boards, t&g, leather, skulls of your enemies, etc.

[StressMan79]

Rough sawn lumber, live edge boards, t&g, leather, skulls of your enemies, etc.


+1 for the skulls. Seriously 1×6 tng

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[rckclmbr428]

Tounge and groove takes on a new meaning when decorating with skull, fyi

[rreidnauer]

I *HATE* drywall. However, I also can't stand EVERYTHING being wood. (hear that kithome makers?) My current plan is probably Blueboard and plaster. Though, I'm considering, if I find it cheap enough, Wonderboard and do some sort of stucco finish. Both options can be colored at application, which means no painting, which means it makes me happy, as I like painting about as much as drywall.

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[DanS]

I *HATE* drywall. However, I also can't stand EVERYTHING being wood. (hear that kithome makers?) My current plan is probably Blueboard and plaster. Though, I'm considering, if I find it cheap enough, Wonderboard and do some sort of stucco finish. Both options can be colored at application, which means no painting, which means it makes me happy, as I like painting about as much as drywall.


My thoughts as well. Drywall is terrible. Cheap, light, weak stuff. Plaster is similar enough in the construction, but avoids those issues.

Dan

[WyoFox]

Tounge and groove takes on a new meaning when decorating with skull, fyi

Hahaha! Yes that would definitely be rustic!!

Rod and Dan, so good to know others feel the same way! I wasn't too sure about wood everywhere either. Thanks for the tips about blue board, will look into that. Husband would be grateful to not have to paint as well!!

[allen84]

I like the 4x8 panels that looks like weathered barn wood (probably used for sheds mostly). And another idea from someone that hates working with sheet rock... Use sheetrock and put on wood trim to give it a board and batten look, no mud required.

[loghousenut]

I like the 4x8 panels that looks like weathered barn wood (probably used for sheds mostly). And another idea from someone that hates working with sheet rock... Use sheetrock and put on wood trim to give it a board and batten look, no mud required.

Or a fella/gal could do board and batten.



Personally I think sheetrock is fine. If you pay someone else to do it right, it goes on quick, and pretty, and I think it is fairly forgiving in the long run. The Boss hates it, but on our recent trip to SmileyKyley's place, she took a liking to the idea of almost thinking about not resisting the idea of perhaps considering one or two small walls in our place... maybe.

[CrossingtheRubicon]

We are still tossing around the idea of using homemade clay/cobb walls. I'm still researching it to see if it will be feasible time and material wise. If not we may end up doing some sort of wood walls as I'm not crazy about drywall. Nothing wrong with it, just want to use something different.

[allen84]

Or a fella/gal could do board and batten.



Personally I think sheetrock is fine. If you pay someone else to do it right, it goes on quick, and pretty, and I think it is fairly forgiving in the long run. The Boss hates it, but on our recent trip to SmileyKyley's place, she took a liking to the idea of almost thinking about not resisting the idea of perhaps considering one or two small walls in our place... maybe.

The only things that can hurt sheetrock is water and wallpaper.

[sierraskip]

I have thought about this same question. I have also considered hardy board panels and either paint them or cover with clay plaster with the color included. This would preclude any type of mold problem. I want to not have any paper layer on my walls as with moisture and paper you have a feeding opportunity for mold. The combination I mentioned is for all practical purposes a lifetime of maintenance free and the color is built in so there would not be a need for painting, or repainting.

[chokonen888]

Trying to avoid as many walls as possible, open plan FTW....but for the bedrooms. restrooms, etc, T&G or cement (first floor) are what I have in mind. I don't mind all the wood but rustic accents on it would help make it look better as well....

[rreidnauer]

The only things that can hurt sheetrock is water and wallpaper.
. . . . . and anything bumping into it.

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[rreidnauer]

Nothing wrong with it, just want to use something different.
Nothing? Everything! On top of how easy it's damaged by water and impact, even with the perfect installation, you can still see joints as the paint always takes a different sheen. Sure, you *could* do many primer and paint coats and maybe get most of it hidden, especially with a flat paint, but then you still have that problem of walls marking ever so easily.

Even Blueboard is still simply gypsum board, but at least you have a continuous 1/8 to 1/4 inch of rock hard, waterproof plaster over it. I liked it back when plastering transitioned over from lath strips to plaster board, which was much higher density and strength to today's gypsum board. I suspect it contained lime or something in addition to just gypsum, but I don't think real plaster board is available anymore. Sure was a bugger cutting an outlet box into it for old work wiring, but I loved how tough it was, and how nice a wall looked, compared to drywall today.

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[CrossingtheRubicon]

I agree with you Rod, should have said nothing wrong if you choose to use drywall for its general availability and ease of finding an installer if need be. I personally want to avoid it if at all possible.

[Arrowman]

Drywall does have its downsides, but I'm not sure I understand all of the hate. I see it similar to block versus poured walls. I can't think of a case where block walls are superior to a poured wall, yet they still exist and are used by many people.

Drywall is just another tool we, as homebuilders, have in our toolkit to use. It has it's downsides, but it also has its upsides. You would be hard pressed to get wall covering for the price. Could you get a better covering for more money? Sure you could. Could you pay more and get a better finish on the drywall, absolutely. Drywall doesn't handle water much worse than wood paneling does. It also repairs fairly easily should you get any bumps in it. Wood paneling is more resilient, but less easily repairable. Putting old wood on the wall is probably the most durable, but for those of us who want to avoid the classic wood on wood on wood log home look, we have to seek other options.

Drywall has its place in any homebuilder's tool chest.

[rreidnauer]

Drywall does have its downsides, but I'm not sure I understand all of the hate.

Thought I covered that pretty well above. :-) It's in the "toolbox" because it's the cheapest option, much like cinder block, asphalt roofing, vinyl flooring & siding, etc. But cost alone shouldn't be reason to choose a product. I'm looking to build the best home I can. By using the LHBA method to get my superior superstructure up in a very cost effective way, it leaves me with savings to use better materials elsewhere. If one's goal is to build the cheapest house possible, then the path is clear. I for one think drywall in a "century home" is about as appropriate as a mobile home in tornado alley.

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[rreidnauer]

Oh, and my apologies to Tom.

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[rckclmbr428]

I thought anywhere there is a mobile home it becomes a tornado alley?

[loghousenut]

Calm down a bit, Rod, before you have a apoplexy. It's just a cute little innocent chunk of drywall.





If it was gutters, I could get into the whole love/hate rant.... nope, just gypsum.

[Arrowman]

Thought I covered that pretty well above. :-) It's in the "toolbox" because it's the cheapest option, much like cinder block, asphalt roofing, vinyl flooring & siding, etc. But cost alone shouldn't be reason to choose a product. I'm looking to build the best home I can. By using the LHBA method to get my superior superstructure up in a very cost effective way, it leaves me with savings to use better materials elsewhere. If one's goal is to build the cheapest house possible, then the path is clear. I for one think drywall in a "century home" is about as appropriate as a mobile home in tornado alley.

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Cost alone shouldn't be the only factor but it is always a factor. For those of us that do not want to see wood everywhere in the house we are building, then drywall is an inexpensive option that allows one to do this.

[donjuedo]

One alternative is beadboard on the lower half wall. You can buy it in sheets and paint it. It can go over unfinished sheetrock, plywood, or OSB, and the paint can solve the wood on wood on wood problem. I like the look, too.


Peter

[chokonen888]

Still "woody" but...

http://www.ericshealthfood.com/2421/cork-board-wall-tiles/

[rreidnauer]

One alternative is beadboard on the lower half wall. You can buy it in sheets and paint it. It can go over unfinished sheetrock, plywood, or OSB, and the paint can solve the wood on wood on wood problem. I like the look, too.


Peter
Not for everyone, but I too like the look of whitewashed wainscoting. I have a little planned for my one bathroom.

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[smithme2]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160727/7fb5e00628b5e0f3790427239485a331.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160727/4871da2f0a86780466afbd518c5055c8.jpgU


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[smithme2]

I cut siding from ash and oak which I used as board and batten and overlapped. I love it! Not quick but very good fit. It helps to have a woodmizer!


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[WyoFox]

Looks beautiful smithme2! I guess I didn't come back and thank everyone for the great ideas. Getting close to 1 month away from class, we are so excited!

[Tom Featherstone]

As a former drywall contractor I believe my other "friends" in LHBA have been trying to purposely draw me into this conversation...

Drywall is a great building product. You have to get the right stuff, for the job you want. There are way more options to drywall today than what was available even a few years ago. It's Not all just paper & dirt (gypsum) anymore. You can also texture it or coat it with certain muds to make it Very Hard!

There's High Strength, Fiberglass, Sound Deadening, Blah, blah, blah... Go to a contractors supply store that specializes in Drywall and you won't believe what they make today.. One of the Best things I think the industry did was come up with the fiberglass tile backer board instead of the "Green" water resistant board that some people still use today in their baths, showers etc. There is no gypsum or paper in the product, not a chance of mold ever growing in it, or soaking up water. But, on the other hand... I made a lot of money repairing those baths with the green board over the years..

Installation is not rocket science, but finishing it, is a trade, all it's own.

It's a option. It does contrast the wood & can add the possibilities of reflecting light, adding color, accents.

Don't like it.... Cover it later

[loghousenut]

As a former drywall contractor I believe my other "friends" in LHBA have been trying to purposely draw me into this conversation...

Drywall is a great building product. You have to get the right stuff, for the job you want. There are way more options to drywall today than what was available even a few years ago. It's Not all just paper & dirt (gypsum) anymore. You can also texture it or coat it with certain muds to make it Very Hard!

There's High Strength, Fiberglass, Sound Deadening, Blah, blah, blah... Go to a contractors supply store that specializes in Drywall and you won't believe what they make today.. One of the Best things I think the industry did was come up with the fiberglass tile backer board instead of the "Green" water resistant board that some people still use today in their baths, showers etc. There is no gypsum or paper in the product, not a chance of mold ever growing in it, or soaking up water. But, on the other hand... I made a lot of money repairing those baths with the green board over the years..

Installation is not rocket science, but finishing it, is a trade, all it's own.

It's a option. It does contrast the wood & can add the possibilities of reflecting light, adding color, accents.

Don't like it.... Cover it later

Took you long enough to chime in, Tom.

[BoFuller]

Really. It took plenty long enough.
You want a written invite next time?

How's the project coming along, Cuz?


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[Tom Featherstone]

Really. It took plenty long enough.
You want a written invite next time?

How's the project coming along, Cuz?
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Give your bro a call... he has most of the details. I see you need to clean up your pm box. I tried to send you one cuz!

[CrossingtheRubicon]

https://goo.gl/photos/krjuJiTCbcz8pW7FA

Here are some photos from a natural plaster class I took recently. I think I've convinced myself that it can be done without too much effort. Need to get or build a mortar mixer and I'm working on an idea for a paristaltic pump to be able to spray the natural plaster and possibly even do the chinking with.

[slamasha]

Looks very cool. Do you have to use straw inside wall frames for the plaster to stick or can it be some other material?

[CrossingtheRubicon]

No you can use the old style wood lath or metal lath if it is stiff enough. The straw is actually coated with clay and once dry becomes like a solid. I'm going to use the straw myself because it will help with sound deadening and it is much cheaper than buying the lath. If I had an easy cheap way to get the lath I would probably go that way.

[Chief700]

Since you can answer questions and save me from doing any real research... Does the straw decompose, breakdown, or rot over time? There are 200+ year old log homes. Are there any straw bale structures that have been here for awhile?

Be Safe,

[CrossingtheRubicon]

As long as no moisture gets to it, it should last a long time, at least as long as I plan on living. I plan on isolating all of my plumbing from the straw with framing and drywall over the top of the plumbing bits, then natural plaster over it all. Cob is a similar building technique and there are 100 to 1000 year old buildings all over the world. You just have to keep up with the lime exterior plaster on those buildings. I'm no expert on any of this and although I did take a cob building class, I ultimately decided to build the log home for aesthetics and potential resale if I ever decide to sell in the future.

[CrossingtheRubicon]

I've also read you can use wood chips in place of the straw as well. I might end up going that route if i can find a cheap chipper

[rreidnauer]

Too bad you can't use peeled bark. Always plenty of it laying around when building a log home.

[CrossingtheRubicon]

You probably could if it was shredded up after it had dried.