Updating basement walls?
We recently bought a home and the basement walls look like they were done with railroad ties (see picture for reference) I would really like to update the room but don't know the best solution. Can I paint them white? Should I stain them a nice color? Or try to take it down?
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Hello
Proper prep and paint can yield a successful job. After walls are clean —prime and paint.
We have a log cabin and too much wood is dark and dreary.
We are quite pleased the previous homeowner had placed inexpensive ***paneling ***
over natural cedar logs in two bedrooms and painted it a light color. I would suggest not to hesitate to your paint walls, or install paneling and paint for a room brightening update. Our paneling grooves are not filled and I feel its a huge improvement.
I think you’ll be really pleased with your room brightening results. Best wishes in your wall rehab
Heres helpful links!
I hope this helps!
https://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/walls/everything-you-ever-wanted-to-know-about-painting-wood-paneling-2530308
https://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/painting-wood-paneling
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ifkbVlE9yyE# k
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Painting Wood Paneling
If what you have is railroad ties, I would suggest removing or covering them, aside from the reason of updating your room. They contain chemicals for their preservation outdoors, the breakdown of these chemicals is different based on what they are, how old they are, and their environment. Best to you.
https://www.hunker.com/13405931/what-are-the-dangers-of-treated-railroad-ties#:~:text=Railroad%20ties%20are%20treated%20with%20chemical%20preservatives%2C%20such,and%20they%27re%20potentially%20harmful%20to%20humans%20and%20plants.
How strange! I would cover them with drywall or panelling. It would cover the weird, but also lessen your exposure to the chemicals in the ties.
Since railroad ties are treated with chemicals, removing them may expose you to more of the chemicals. I would seal and paint them.
You can paint them white or you could add drywall over top of this.
Wow those are some fancy walls that they created! It looks like it would be a very large job to remove all of the wood and rocks but you could definitely paint them and give them a lighter, fresher look. If you want to paint it all, give it a good prime and then paint. You could paint just the wood with a milk paint to give it a lighter look and still retain some of the wood grain and charm of the wood.
I agree with the other commenters: taking down would be a lot of a work. Paint is always an option. Railroad ties I don't think would possibly take stain very well.
I am intrigued by these walls. I've never seen anything like them. You will have to clean the wood, try TSP, then prime and paint. I would think they will soak up quite a bit of paint, probably 3 coats. I think a darker stain will make them look more like cross ties while paint will make it look like beams.
Are you sure these are real railroad ties, (usually they are really dark brown almost black) or are they landscaping timbers?
Railroad ties are treated with chemical preservatives, such as creosote and chromated copper arsenate. Both of these chemicals are banned for residential use, and they're potentially harmful to humans. Cover them with drywall if they are not real ties.
Be very careful as they will have been treated with creosote. Paint or stain will most likely NOT adhere to them.
make sure they are not faux wood beams first of all - I would think railroad ties would be too heavy for the walls- https://www.fauxwoodbeams.com/blog/staining-and-painting-fake-wood-beams#:~:text=Beams%20painted%20by%20the%20customer,exactly%20the%20look%20you%20want.&text=So%20both%20Timber%20and%20Sandblasted,before%20painting%20or%20staining%20them.
https://www.fauxwoodbeams.com/blog/staining-and-painting-fake-wood-beams#:~:text=Beams%20painted%20by%20the%20customer,exactly%20the%20look%20you%20want.&text=So%20both%20Timber%20and%20Sandblasted,before%20painting%20or%20staining%20them.
be sure they are not faux wood beams seems like railroad ties would be too heavy for the walls- above tells you how to paint them
Hi Darin, these are quite unique, I would try painting them white, it may look stunning all one color! Are this real rocks? Are they textured or smooth? Paint it all white. Or put paneling right over it. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Weathered-Grey-Plank-32-sq-ft-MDF-Paneling-169779/302944333
You should be able to tell just by touching and looking closely at these. From the picture they look real but the photo could be misleading.
Best thing to do is too call your real estate agent and ask. Even if you agent isn't certain they can get a touch with the seller's agent and be able to answer this for you.
Here is one idea that might work with them - https://www.housebeautiful.com/design-inspiration/g2624/wood-paneling-makeovers/
I think it all depends on your style and what look you're going for. I'd suggest doing some online image research to narrow down ideas. You'll have to investigate whether the wood is already sealed or stained, that will dictate your next steps.
Are you sure they are railroad ties and not older construction lumber. A photo of the walls would help rather than railroad tracks as a reference. A lot of construction lumber prior to the 50's was actually true to dimension, darker in color and pock marked somewhat like railroad ties. They also could be structural so i wouldn't attempt to remove them. It also is possible that your home did not have a basement originally and someone dug the basement up and used railroad ties as a foundation. I would prime and paint them or cover them with drywall.
Can you share a photo of your actual basement? Then we can help you with some ideas on what to do.
Hi Daren,
So, you have come across a situation that might get you a lot of answers. I know you think they might be railroad ties but most likely they aren't. What you have is an older home with some strong, sturdy load bearing posts. Now, you posted the picture of some actual rail road ties. If they were rail road ties they do contain a chemical that allows them to stay preserved out in the harsh environment of this country. From the boiling hot deserts to the cold and wet northeast.
With that said, what makes you think they are rail road ties might be the indentations you see in the wood. This means they are also chemically treated. That chemical is different than rail ties so you are ok. This type of wood, called pressure treated wood, is found in almost all homes now. Very safe.
As to the question of taking them down, don't do that. They are most likely load bearing and removing them will cause you to have a not so nice day. In fact, it will ruin your week. Can you stain them? Maybe, with a dark stain. But dark stains are just awful to look at in basements. That type of wood doesn't take stain very well. My best solution would be to paint them. Before you do, give them a good coat of primer. Let that primer dry a good day or more. The longer primer dries, the better. That is what will allow your paint to adhere to the wood and not have a peeling or chipping problem in the future.
As for covering it with drywall. You can go that route but understand that just covering a wall with drywall can lead to moisture issues, especially in a basement. Not a lot of ventilation down there. You will need to prep the walls to keep out moisture before you put it up. Drywall actually loves moisture (and that's actually not a good thing) and it will absorb it and will allow mold or mildew to grow in the future.
With all this said, my best bet is paint. Oh how good it will look with some white paint on it. It will brighten up your basement and you'll smile every time you go down there. Good luck and let us all know how it goes.
Mitchell