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The good news about this site is people are so willing to give freely of their opinions/advice. The bad(?)news is that with less experience I get lazy and tap into the cumulative brain power! I only hope that some time in the future I will be able to give back, meantime I’m in heavy duty remodel mode so you’re liable to see me often. Bear with me if you can.
I have a 52′ x 28′ ranch tucked into the side of a mountain in western NC about 2500′ up facing south. As far as I can tell by judicious investigation the exterior walls are 2×6 on 2’ctr with 6 1/2 ” fibreglass bats in the cavities plus 3/4″ dual foil faced foam board laid on the stud exterior covered with 3/4″ shiplap boards laid horizontally these covered with horizontal birch siding that is in need of repair/paint (some bad cupping and splitting/warp particularly on south side which also has lots of glass)
Internally the walls are either covered wih 3/4″ shiplap laid diagonally to the studs or 1/8″ (cheap) panelling nailed and glued to 1/2″ sheetrock that has not been taped. In neither case is there an internal vapor barrier.
I want to lighten the place up and am thinking of sheetrocking the walls BUT do I lay the sheetrock over the wood? (it’s quite plumb and the corners are square) if so should I apply a vapor barrier? I see the mixed opinions about them here. Same questions for the panelling except that removing would cause tearing the sheetrock surface paper and I’d end up applying another layer anyway. Can I get away with using 3/8″ if I go over the existing in both cases? Ceilings are cathedral laid up to underside of scissor joists with popcorn finish. And the 3/4″ (homemade) trim is going to pose an interestig problem. Would I get away with ripping part of it to accomadate the sheetrock allthough this would only leave 1/4″ material?
Sorry to be so lengthy. Thank you all in advance.
Replies
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The good news about this site is people are so willing to give freely of their opinions/advice. The bad(?)news is that with less experience I get lazy and tap into the cumulative brain power! I only hope that some time in the future I will be able to give back, meantime I'm in heavy duty remodel mode so you're liable to see me often. Bear with me if you can.
I have a 52' x 28' ranch tucked into the side of a mountain in western NC about 2500' up facing south. As far as I can tell by judicious investigation the exterior walls are 2x6 on 2'ctr with 6 1/2 " fibreglass bats in the cavities plus 3/4" dual foil faced foam board laid on the stud exterior covered with 3/4" shiplap boards laid horizontally these covered with horizontal birch siding that is in need of repair/paint (some bad cupping and splitting/warp particularly on south side which also has lots of glass)
Internally the walls are either covered wih 3/4" shiplap laid diagonally to the studs or 1/8" (cheap) panelling nailed and glued to 1/2" sheetrock that has not been taped. In neither case is there an internal vapor barrier.
I want to lighten the place up and am thinking of sheetrocking the walls BUT do I lay the sheetrock over the wood? (it's quite plumb and the corners are square) if so should I apply a vapor barrier? I see the mixed opinions about them here. Same questions for the panelling except that removing would cause tearing the sheetrock surface paper and I'd end up applying another layer anyway. Can I get away with using 3/8" if I go over the existing in both cases? Ceilings are cathedral laid up to underside of scissor joists with popcorn finish. And the 3/4" (homemade) trim is going to pose an interestig problem. Would I get away with ripping part of it to accomadate the sheetrock allthough this would only leave 1/4" material?
Sorry to be so lengthy. Thank you all in advance.
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Well, what the hell--I ain't afraid of being attacked. 1. Don't worry about the vapor barrier, your house hasn;t fallen down yet, has it? 2. Sheetrock over anything you want, it's your house. 3. By all means, use 3/8" drywall, that's why they make it. 4. While you are at it, do the ceiling, too, and cover up that popcorn ceiling texture-- you know you hate it.