I’m not sure there’s a ‘correct’ answer to this but I would like your opinion:
This stairway wall had 1/4″ drywall covering the wood you see in the pic. (I don’t know what it’s called but the wood is, I guess, meant to look like lap siding? Each piece is about 6″ tall and looks like one piece lapping another.) I can’t decide whether to tear the wood off, down to the studs, or just cover it again, though with thicker drywall.
Tearing off the wood appeals to my ‘clean/starting from scratch’ instincts, but maybe it’s just more work/disposal for no really good reason? Back side of that wall is closed-in porch, and the wall will eventually get blown in cellulose, from that side.
Thanks.
Replies
You could leave it like it is for that 'rustic' look. (Washed, of course.)
Isn't going to hurt anything.
You could paint it.
You could put 1/2" drywall over it.
But I wouldn't tear it off.
Lovely stuff you've got there. Sandblast it and re-paint or stain. Then you don't need any gyprock.
See? Life can be so simple....
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
foolish men call Justice....
I know what ya mean about wanting to go down to bare studs.
that's usually my thinking and recommendation.
but ... if it ain't hurting anything, why bother?
hundred years from now some new home owner may be asking why U covered up that beautiful wall ... if it's not in the way ... I'd leave it and drywall over.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Thanks for your responses.Can anyone tell me what that wood configuration is called? Is it typically an interior treatment?Thanks.
Seeing you are in central Kansas and by the look of the siding in the photo I would wager what you have there is a common wood siding for older homes in the central western states with a name that slips my mind at the moment.
That rounded outer edge of the double lap per piece siding is seen as the original underneath later sidings of many a small house throughout the southwest.
There are some lumberyards that still carry a similar profile which tho' close isn't exact and if used as a replacement piece in the middle of a wall will stick out like a sore thumb.
I'm thinking the wall you have there might have originally been an exterior wall that got added to over the years but can't see your project so can't say for sure.
If it's a question of removing, what is the desired aim of the final look? Wash and paint will clear up the blemishes, look clean and add strength to the wall.
You can always add drywall later if needed.
shortest distance between two points is a straight line.
I love the siding - it's one of the "Novelty" sidings used in the '20s-'40s. I added on to my SIL's in Virginia, and a lumber mill in Cavetown, MD, still had the knives to run me another couple thousand feet of it.
Keep it!
Forrest
New on the left; old on he right. This is before she got to painting it!
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Forrest
Edited 10/22/2008 6:14 am ET by McDesign