Replies

1. 
   kaorisdad | Sep 24, 2003 05:21pm | #1

   I would suggest drywalling and prime painting, then put up the cabinets.  I'm not sure if it's required in the location you are referring to, but you do get some level of fire protection with drywall.  I noticed that some contractors just use Type X drywall (fire rated) everywhere.  It's heavier (5/8-in versus 1/2-in) but the cost is not that much more to install, and you do get a little more sound deadening.

2. 
   WayneL5 | Sep 24, 2003 06:04pm | #2

   Ditto the drywall.  Your joints don't need to be pretty.  You should also install a vapor barrier between the drywall and insulation if you are in a northern climate.

1. 
   JConk | Sep 25, 2003 06:38am | #3

   Thanks for your response.  I have used vapor barrier in the past, but always had the nagging thought that down the road, condensation could rot the studs.  Is this caution at all justified?

1. 
   WayneL5 | Sep 25, 2003 05:12pm | #4

   Depending on your climate, it can be very helpful in preventing condensation.  Where are you located?

   In a northern climate, a vapor barrier should be installed on the inside of the insulation, and a breathable weather barrier (tar paper or housewrap) on the outside.  The vapor barrier prevents moist interior air from migrating through the wall.  If you didn't have a vapor barrier, this air would get colder and colder as it moved out through the insulation and at some point within it the moisture would condense and wet the insulation and wood.  Whatever you put on the outside must be breathable so what little moisture does get through isn't trapped.

   If you live in a southern or mixed climate, the construction would be different.

   If you omit the vapor barrier you are more likely, not less likely, to rot the studs.

1. 
   JConk | Sep 25, 2003 06:08pm | #5

   Thank you for the further explanation.  I live in western New York, about 60 miles east of Buffalo.  Sounds like vapor barrier is a good idea...:)

2. 
   wrick2003 | Sep 26, 2003 01:29am | #6

        To avoid unnecessary scribing, you should pull a string across the wall where the built-ins will be. Shim the shy studs to flat and plumb. When the drywall goes on, you'll have a much better wall to work on.

        If you can, set the end studs of the wall a little back from the others, and when you tape the seam, the skim out will make a square corner, not a regular curvy mud corner.

        Good Luck     rg