Most walls in a 1900 house have sheathing

boards on the exterior side of the wall

studs. Is this what you mean? Sheathing is

usually character grade wood in oak, chestnut or pine. If you need something

like that, I might be able to help.

G reiter

703 407 5912

Hey thanks, I'm really not sure. I see some articles and shows where there are thin strips of wood 2 inches wide and spaced 2-3 inches apart or so and I think it is lath (sp) walls, but mine is solid horizontal boards 8-10 inches wide. You could nail in a nail anywhere with out looking for a stud and most of the times you will bend a nail. I am not looking for a replacement for the boards , but looking for a technique of painting them, but don't know what the basic construction technique is. I know there is lots of info on the net if I can just get the terminology correct. Thanks for your help.

Sometimes boards are found on walls that have been replaced or added later. There are several guesses. The best guess is that that is what they had for materials. Ship lap or Dolly Varden siding was used commonly in thase days for boarding in, especially where the exterior may have been decorative. More in outbuildings such as garages where they needed no insulation or other structural specialties. In your case being on the house it may have been done after the house was first built such as an addition or an old porch. Educated guesses are the mainstay of a good remodler. Check with your local building dept. and see if there were any permits pulled over the years for such a project. Good luck MJH