Can You Put Up Paneling With out Drywall?

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Paneling provides worth to your home and likewise it provides totally different vibes. This text discusses the significance of paneling with out drywall and the profit it provides.

A living room with horizontal paneling.

I’ve all the time needed to put in paneling in my house and I by no means thought that I may do it with out spending hundreds of {dollars} on drywall and siding contractors, however after doing a little analysis I found that it’s really fairly straightforward and really inexpensive! The toughest half was simply determining really go about placing up the paneling, however as soon as I did that, the remainder was easy!

Check out this text to study extra about how one can set up paneling in your house, no matter what form your partitions are in proper now!

Can You Put Up Wooden Paneling With out Drywall?

A living room with vertical wood paneling and drywall.

The quick reply is sure, nevertheless it relies on your scenario. It can save you some huge cash by placing up wooden paneling as an alternative of drywall

Plus, wooden creates a heat and alluring feeling that may’t be replicated with different supplies comparable to particleboard or foam insulation. If you wish to use wooden paneling in your partitions, however don’t wish to trouble with conventional drywall set up, there are some methods round it. 

One choice is to make use of massive sheets of skinny plywood. This system works properly if you happen to don’t want your partitions to be load-bearing (for instance, in the event that they’re simply going to have paintings held on them). 

An alternative choice known as furring strips—they arrive in 2×4 or 2×8 sizes and are designed particularly for wall installations (as an alternative of floorboards). The draw back is that these strips aren’t actually designed for nailing immediately into studs—you’ll want particular nails for them, which is able to value more money.

Can You Use Brad Nails for Paneling?

A worker installing wooden ceiling.

In the event you’re putting in sheets of wooden by yourself, likelihood is fairly good that you just don’t have entry to a nail gun. Brad nails are much like end nails in look and performance. They don’t maintain as properly as ending nails and aren’t as sturdy as precise development nails. 

They appear to be end nails (similar dimension) however have rounded heads. You can even use common 16-penny widespread nails, simply be certain that to not pre-drill them (simply hammer them in) or else they may break up your wooden. The actual drawback with widespread nails is that they depart holes if you take them out, so for large jobs, it may be higher to splurge on development staples or pneumatic fasteners if potential.

Why is it a Dangerous Thought to Put Up Paneling With out Drywall?

A firefighter trying to control fire on a burning house.

Paneling, like wooden paneling or gypsum board, is flammable. If it touches any portion of your own home that’s heated by a furnace, range, or fire, it poses a fireplace hazard. 

If it catches on hearth and also you don’t have an automated extinguisher close by, you could possibly be in for a tough journey if there’s nobody to assist. 

Additionally, your wall won’t be soundproof in any respect. Paneling is product of a skinny layer of wooden which isn’t sufficient to maintain out noise. 

If you wish to obtain soundproofing, you’ll want so as to add one other layer of drywall or plasterboard. It’s a lot simpler to do it proper from the beginning than to attempt to repair it later!

In the event you’re searching for a means so as to add character and texture to your own home with out compromising security – think about using wainscoting as an alternative! It’s an excellent various that doesn’t pose any hearth hazards and might nonetheless give your own home that rustic appeal.

What Is Wainscoting?

A living room with rustic sofa and flower vase.

Wainscoting is a kind of wall ornament much like paneling. It’s totally different in that it has grooves and is usually wider than typical board widths. 

The panels are normally connected with adhesive versus utilizing nails or screws. Wainscoting will be completed with paint, wallpaper, or different supplies. 

In massive areas comparable to stairwells and hallways, chair rails or baseboards would usually full these partitions for an much more completed look. Additionally it is used for areas the place wooden may turn out to be broken if nailed into place.

What’s the Level of Placing Up Paneling With out Drywall?

It might probably lower your expenses if some huge cash has already been spent on supplies or as a result of it permits for a novel texture or coloration scheme. Paneling provides worth to your own home in its personal means, so it’s not only a query of “Does it look good?”, but in addition “Is it value what I paid?” 

Finally, saving cash is certainly one of a number of good causes to put in paneling with out drywall. Nevertheless it all relies on your objectives and circumstances – in case your finances is proscribed, then DIY may be your finest guess!

Verify the Constructing Codes in Your Space

Protective equipment and a gavel.

Earlier than getting began, it’s essential to test together with your native constructing codes division and ensure putting in paneling with out drywall is even allowed. Not all communities permit householders to put in paneling or different coverings over naked brick, plaster, or different partitions. 

It’s additionally a good suggestion to test together with your insurance coverage firm in case something goes incorrect; you might be required to put in fire-resistant drywall in case your space requires it by legislation. Having these necessities in place will prevent plenty of bother (and cash) down the street.

Though many householders choose to put in paneling over naked partitions, doing so could decrease your own home’s resale worth. In the event you plan on promoting in a couple of years, it may be value investing in some fire-resistant drywall earlier than starting your mission.

What’s the Common Constructing Code Normal For Putting in Paneling With out Drywall?

In America, it’s uncommon to see something lower than 1/4th inch thick put in with out one thing in between. Nonetheless, laws can range by area. 

For instance, in states like California and Oregon, a type of skinny materials known as Melamine or MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) is usually used instead of customary 1⁄4-inch materials. Some builders will specify thicker materials for every part besides baseboards—which typically get nailed on to studs with plastic nails since they don’t bear weight. 

No matter your area, all the time comply with constructing codes and ensure that no matter paneling supplies you utilize are enough for his or her supposed objective.

The way to Inform if There’s Already Drywall Behind Wooden Panels

An old woman eavesdropping in a wall.

There are a couple of methods to test if there may be already drywall behind your wooden panels. For one, see if you happen to can see any of it peeking via cracks or holes within the paneling. You can even faucet on it and pay attention for a change in sound. If it’s hole, then there may be almost definitely no drywall behind it.