Can anyone tell me if this is possible? I just purchased a very old home that has wood panelling over the original plaster walls. I have a feeling the original plaster walls are in pretty rough shape, so I'm trying to figure out if I just drywall over the panelling.
I would love to pull off the panelling and work and work with the original walls, though I don't think I'll have the time to complete that kind of project...
Thanks!
Michelle
COMMUNITY FORUM
Hi Michelle,
From my experience it is possible. I've lived in a couple of older homes where you could practically take a "core sample" to see what layers had been put on by previous owners!
If the paneling is well-attached to whatever's beneath, this can only be a good thing. drywall benefits from having something solid to attach to. Can you tell how sturdy the paneling seems to be?
I'd use 1/2" drywall (avoid anything thinner). It has decent fire resistance, decent rigidity, and is heavy but not overbearingly so. You can probably make use of a combination of screws and construction adhesive.
drywalling does have a learning curve, however--have you done this before? I'd recommend a DIY class if you can take one.
(I'm not a pro but have tackled this type of job in the past.) Good luck; since you just bought this home, we'll probably be hearing more from you on this and other projects!
Regards,
-k2 in CO
Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum
http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous
From my experience it is possible. I've lived in a couple of older homes where you could practically take a "core sample" to see what layers had been put on by previous owners!
If the paneling is well-attached to whatever's beneath, this can only be a good thing. drywall benefits from having something solid to attach to. Can you tell how sturdy the paneling seems to be?
I'd use 1/2" drywall (avoid anything thinner). It has decent fire resistance, decent rigidity, and is heavy but not overbearingly so. You can probably make use of a combination of screws and construction adhesive.
drywalling does have a learning curve, however--have you done this before? I'd recommend a DIY class if you can take one.
(I'm not a pro but have tackled this type of job in the past.) Good luck; since you just bought this home, we'll probably be hearing more from you on this and other projects!
Regards,
-k2 in CO
Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum
http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous
You're welcome, hope it works out for you. I know from personal experience that old homes can "surprise" you with strange findings.
OK, new ones can do that too! :)
Good luck; any more questions just holler...hopefully one of us can help you out!
Congratulations on your new home!
Regards,
-k2 in CO
Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum
http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous
OK, new ones can do that too! :)
Good luck; any more questions just holler...hopefully one of us can help you out!
Congratulations on your new home!
Regards,
-k2 in CO
Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum
http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous
keep in mind that you'll need to extend the face of those outlet boxes (recepticles and switches) in that wall, with box flanges you cannot just "float" a gap with that dry-wall and get a long screw to re-install that face-plate (fire hazard).
Also if that wall is required to be a "one hour" wall, (some surface behind it, within the room (like a kitchen, water heater, furnace), you'll need to use 5/8" fire-rated gypsum board not just 1/2" for that one-hour rating on top of that panneling.
You can find one-hour standards explained on the UL site.
Also if that wall is required to be a "one hour" wall, (some surface behind it, within the room (like a kitchen, water heater, furnace), you'll need to use 5/8" fire-rated gypsum board not just 1/2" for that one-hour rating on top of that panneling.
You can find one-hour standards explained on the UL site.
Unless you're planning to "skim coat" that 1/2" drywall THREE times...(makes it one-hour rated) then you can get away with the 1/2"...if its required to be a one-hour wall...but most diy'ers aren't "into" skim coating the entire wall three times after having taped and seamed it. Otherwise 5/8" fire-rated gypsum board taped and seamed if it needs to be a one-hour wall (protecting rest of house from a hazard one side or the other).
