Asked on Jun 27, 2017
Can I put interiors walls directly over insulation without drywall?
by
Teea
+4
My husband and I are super duper close to completing our house. It was a very old abandoned shack in coal country with many additions, and basically all it was good for was the foundation. After crap loads of money, time, and A TON of work we are soooo over it. Im wondering if we can skip drywall (cuts and measurements are a pain here, plus I HATE drywall, I don't feel it fits "us" or our style home.) Can I use barn siding or shiplap, maybe even pallet wood to make walls, putting them directly over the insulation by nailing to the studs? Or is that not a great idea. Any opinions, advice or other ideas would he awesome! Thanks!!!!
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I have seen older homes in the Pocono Mountains of PA have that but it is not the most desirable as most people re-do and put up drywall. It can be done but the rooms will not be as sound-proof and perhaps not as warm in winter.
First what is specified in your building codes? I would think that drywall or sheetrock of some sort would be required just for safety and fire rating reasons. I wouldn't skip it, as it could void your homeowners policy.
I agree it depends on the building codes. Sheetrock is fire rated so it might be required. If not you can but you will be able to hear someone fart in the next room.
We removed a lot of paneling that was installed like you're talking about, remodeling our old house. I can tell you, the sheet rock is important for both fire rating and cutting down on noise and air infiltration. It is going to be much harder to close up gaps in wood.
Drywall retards heat transmission and basically has a 2 hour fire fire rating at minimum. Your concepts would reduce insulation factor and be a fire hazard. Do the drywall. Doesn't have to be perfect. Then put the shiplap, barn board, pallet wood over it.
I'd do a vapor barrier and drywall. You don't need to finish the drywall although taping seams would be a good idea. Then put your pallet wood, tapestries, car license plates, or muskrat pelts on to hide the drywall. It's what they did in my house 40 years ago, thankfully. Not a lot of money for a big improvement in the house.
Thanks everyone! Darn that's all very true. Our house is remarkably quiet even tho we only have insulation up at the moment, but hearing nothing would be awesome... Didn't think about that. It also didn't even come close to crossing my mind about our home owners. We pay a ridiculous amount a year because of only having coal heat in our house. Odd sounding to us when almost all insurance companies we spoke with said they never heard of a coal or wood burning stove! So we are a higher risk (baha wow how ironic.) And yes please don't worry, around our stove it is completely secure and safe as it should be. Just don't have walls in the rest of the house yet. But with everything you all said we will definitely NOT be skipping the drywall. Thanks again all