Strong structural alternatives to drywall

12 years ago

Is there a dry wall alternative that has some structural integrity? My 1920 pier and beam house has 1x12 pine shiplap over the inside of the studs. This was covered with sheetrock probably 50 years ago. The pine has had insect damage in places over the years, but it is general contributes to the structure like sheeting. In our very small bathroom, replacing the wood and sheetrock with a single layer of something structural that can be taped and floated would add 2" to the length and width of the room. Its a moist environment. Cement tile backer has a number of disadvantages. The MgO boards seem to new in the US. Can you skim coat and float A/C grade plywood? Thank you... long time lurker - first time poster.

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Comments (6)

User
12 years ago
What "disadvantages" does cement board have? It would seem to be perfect for your requirements. And why is your bedroom a "moist" environment?
snoonyb
12 years ago
"And why is your bedroom a "moist" environment?"

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PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
12 years ago
I suppose you could tape and finish plywood like drywall, but why would you? It's a huge waste of money and plywood. Additional structural support is unnecessary.
User
12 years ago
The only structural benefit of exterior wall sheathing is lateral bracing to resist wind and earthquake forces. A layer of new 1/2" or 5/8" drywall would add far more lateral stability than the existing shiplapped siding. Even if the siding was structural, the amount of resistance contributed by the exterior wall of your bathroom should be negligible.

If there are a lot of windows and you are concerned about lateral bracing, add diagonal 1x4's or steel straps recessed into the studs.

If you are concerned about vertical gravity loads, add some studs.

Here is a link that might be useful: wall braces
davis.partridge
11 years ago
Plywood does have superior structural integrity benefits versus drywall. Yet, drywall offers something that plywood does not: Better fire ratings. I prefer drywall to plywood for indoor applications for that reason.
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User
11 years ago
This question is confusing. Does it only involve the exterior wall? Do the interior walls have shiplapped boards and if so why would the boards be structural? Is there no structural panel sheathing on the outside of the exterior studs?

Sheathing provides two structural benefits: 1) resistance to lateral forces parallel to the exterior wall (but only if the sheathing extends to and is properly attached to the face of the first and second floor framing) and 2) resistance to wind forces perpendicular to the exterior wall (but only if the sheathing is attached to the outside face of the exterior studs).

Boards or sheathing on the inside of the exterior studs or on any interior studs will provide little if any structural benefit to the frame of the house.

If the house doesn't have any sheathing or diagonal bracing at the exterior walls, you need to consult an engineer to design a system of interior plywood shear walls bolted to the floor structures above and below to provide adequate structural bracing. These shear walls would not necessarily be located near your bathroom.