Okay, this post belongs on “Cheap and ugly Homebuilding” site instead of Fine Homebuilding, but that site was down so I’m asking you. LOL!
Our walkout basement needs to look finished and soon. I have 1000 sq ft of beautiful cultured stone that will go on it, but no time to do it now.
So, I need ultra cheap siding ideas. Right now I’ve come up with:
1. Paint the OSB black and call it done. I don’t think the bank will accept this. Any thoughts?
2. Use 4×8 sheets of cement board siding. Need 26 sheets at $16/each for a total of $400ish. Then would require paint. I would rather spend less since we’ll be ripping it out.
3. sheets of corrugated metal. Would look sort of funky and maybe almost good with our log house. Any ideas on cost or where to get this cheap?
4. Put on the the metal lathe and a heavy scratch coat. This is my frist choice, but I don’t think I have time for this one.
Any other ideas. Remember, this is temporary. Probably a lot of you are thinking, “I wouldn’t be caught dead responding to this post” and I don’t blame you, but I could use some ideas.
Replies
Paula, I would go with the cement board siding for two reasons; it would look better than most other options you are considering - for your house and style, and the second reason is that it would make a decent substrate for the cultured stonme later so you wouldn't need to remove it, just fasten the lathe over it with screws that reach the studs.
Around here we just use Tyvek for our temporary siding.
;)
Excellence is its own reward!
My hubby just came up with an interesting idea. What about attaching something like Dur-rock to the osb. Then couldn't we attached the cultured stone right to that when we're ready? In other words, it could take the place of the lathe and scratch coat?
We had tyvek for a year as our "siding" but after that long in our UV, well, it was pretty much spent!
I really don't care how it looks to be honest. It's coming down later. I was warming up to corrugated steel, you know, like they have at chipolte, but hubby said "Grotesque!" and besides, it really wasn't that much cheaper than the 4x8 sheets of cement board.
Paula
With enough nails, the hardi board would work the same way. The Durock is OK exterior but doesn't look as good and is more permeable.
With either, put tarpaper in behind..
Excellence is its own reward!
If it's only for a year or two, you don't need to paint the hardiboard, unless the color bothers you.
Do it right, or do it twice.
Pif
You have given me a business idea.
Selling prfinished Tyvek "siding".
Print is with stone patterns, brick patterns, lap siding patterns, etc.
Edited 10/16/2003 6:40:15 PM ET by Bill Hartmann
Man I had that same idea for the rubber mats for water gardens.
ANDYSZ2I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.
"Man I had that same idea for the rubber mats for water gardens."
That is the most ridiculous thing that I have every heard of.
Who wants a lap siding water garden. <G>
NO A STONE LOOK TO BLEND THE STONE I LAID ON TOP OF IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ANDYSZ2I MAY DISAGREE WITH WHAT YOUR SAYING BUT I WILL DEFEND TO THE DEATH YOUR RIGHT TO SAY IT.
painted stucco finish on the concrete?
remodeler
I WISH it was concrete. The part of the basement that I need to cover is framed and sheathed in OSB, or did I misunderstand?
How about 1/4"DW, screwed minimally, don't screw the seams. Tape the seams only and paint.
When time to remove, unscrew.
SamT
I think this is an exterior application, but I may be wrong.
I have a similar situation and have settled on Hardi-board. The 4by8 sheet stock specifically. This is, from what I read and gather from people who work with it:
1) Actually cheaper than vinyl siding and many other possible solutions.
2) Gives a flat surface that can be covered later and, unlike T1-11, will not rot or support termites underneath your later covering.
3) Gives a reasonable and durable exterior finish requiring very little maintenance. Sure this is a temporary solution so longevity and long term maintenance might not be a priority that come to mind but I have seen many short term solutions have to last well into a second decade after a change in financial fortune or other unexpected circumstance.
I'm leaning more toward the 4x8 solution. And then I remembered that someone posted about a stain that made it look like wood by Mason's select....but can you believe it, not a single dealer listed in Colorado. Makes me think maybe the stuff can't stand up to our sunshine?
...or maybe the durock solution. I did read that you can use it outside, which is good since we did exactly what I described on a small area of a shed we built at our last house. But that was a small part. I'm not sure about durock covered with cultured stone on large walls.
Anyway, you are right about the "temporary" things lasting a long time. And termites? What are those? Would you believe we don't have termites, snakes, fleas, or ticks?
Thanks for the help everyone. You guys are the best.
How about using vinyl siding. Temporary right?
When you are ready to rock it, take it down and sell it cheap to someone that can use it. At least it won't be a total loss and you can remove it without destroying it.
Oh, and it would be fast to put up. And finished.
I'd think about putting 1x2's vertically every foot, and paint it.
Instant board and batton siding.
Hopefully, the sheets were hung vertically, so every third batten straddles a joint. Even if the stuff was run horizontally I still might do that, it's only temporary as you say.
I covered my chickenhouse with roll roofing. Looks OK for temporary use. Don't try to put it on during a hot day because it tears too easily, and try to get all of the puckers out before nailing it on. Then just side over it when its time for the good stuff.
It's a good thing.