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Cedar T&G over drywall ceiling

SunSaver | Posted in General Discussion on September 26, 2007 12:49pm

I have a remodel which has a span of 15’+ width (cathedral), 5/8″ gyp, and Engineer Lumber as rafters at 24″oc.  My question is could I put the 4/4 cedar T&G over the drywall or should I take the drywall off?

In new houses we always had T&G boards over a system of 6 mill plastic and raw insulation batts.  The current remodel has paper faced batts and then the drywall.

Sorry I can’t recall the depth of the rafters right now.  Location is westside CS, CO.

I’d appreciate suggestions.  thanks!

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  1. FastEddie | Sep 26, 2007 03:13am | #1

    Don't take off the sheetrock unless you are forced to.  For one thing, it will act as a sealed barrier to dust and bugs and #### sifting through the joints of the boards.  But ... it will take longer nails to get good bite into the rafters.  You might consider running furring strips on top of the rafters, then nail the boards tothat. 

    "Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

    "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

  2. Piffin | Sep 26, 2007 06:22am | #2

    Some places require the SR first as a help in fire spread prevention.

    I would do this - staple up some visqueen, then run strapping with screws, then you have real wood to nail the new finish onto.

     

     

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    1. Stilletto | Sep 26, 2007 01:54pm | #3

      Over the last few years I can't remember how many HO's and contractors skip the sheetrock.  It's been alot. 

      I try to explain to them about fire spreading and it being cheap insurance. 

      One HO's house was being rebuilt from the foundation up because of a fire and they didn't want to pay the extra few hundred dollars for the sheetrock.  It just amazes me.   

      Matt

      1. RobWes | Sep 26, 2007 03:57pm | #4

        And the cedar T&G won't burn? Sure it won't get into rafters but at that point who cares?Pulled into the driveway few years ago of a Deck House on fire. The fire woke up the napping occupant. When I drove up the drive fire was blowing out every upper level window of the dwelling. Pine and mahogany burn pretty good. The crew stopped the fire prior to the mutual aid companies arriving but it didn't matter. It ended up being a broom (tear down) job anyway.

        1. Stilletto | Sep 27, 2007 02:08am | #7

          "And the cedar T&G won't burn? Sure it won't get into rafters but at that point who cares?"

          It buys you and family extra time to get out of the house,  it gives the firemen a little more time to get out if they come in after you.  Thats what a few extra dollars gets you.  Well worth it too me.   

          Matt

          1. RobWes | Sep 27, 2007 05:31am | #8

            Explain to me how it buys you extra time when it is installed on top of the sheet rock.

          2. FastEddie | Sep 27, 2007 05:49am | #10

            Explain to me how it buys you extra time

            The cedar boards wouold certainly burh up pretty quickly, but the sheetrock would protect the rafters and structure from igniting for 30 min to an hour."Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

            "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

          3. RobWes | Sep 27, 2007 06:06am | #11

            Forget the fact that the extra time is holding in the heat and gases.Sheet rock is great for preventing things from burning like the underside of your stairway in the basement or your boiler space.It's not the fire that kills you. If it vents you have a much better chance of getting out and less of a chance of flash over.

          4. Stilletto | Sep 27, 2007 11:36am | #12

            The cedar isn't buying you time the Sheetrock is,  they are fire rated to slow the spread of the fire.  Once fire hits the rafters or trusses the roof fails fairly fast.

            Not everyone gets to watch their house burn from the outside.  People get trapped,  never wake up,  whatever the case I'm hanging board first then my T&G. 

             

             

            Matt

    2. FastEddie | Sep 27, 2007 12:26am | #5

      Why the visqueen?"Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

      "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

      1. Piffin | Sep 27, 2007 01:36am | #6

        VB and draft control. Don't know what is up there now 

         

        Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

        1. FastEddie | Sep 27, 2007 05:47am | #9

          If the existing ceiling (as noted by the OP) has a taped & mudded & possibly textured finish, won't that take care of drafts?  And it it were painted, would that be a vb?"Put your creed in your deed."   Emerson

          "When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it."  T. Roosevelt

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