Many of the modern houses have drywall in their interior because it is easy to work with and cheap as well. Drywall is also known as gypsum panel, gypsum board, gyprock, sheetrock, wallboard or plasterboard. It is widely used, but drywall alternatives exist and are recommended. Why?
Some of the drywall options have additives, while others don’t and used in ceilings and interior wall construction. The plaster for drywall is a combination or only asbestos, fiberglass or paper, foaming agent, plasticizer or other additives to prevent or reduce water absorption, flammability or mildew forming.
Drawbacks of Drywall
While cheaper and easier to work with the installation process is tough and involves sanding, mudding and taping and notoriously known for the clouds of fine dust.
It is a product that is both useful; while also having major drawbacks. Drywall is easily damaged, fragile and prone to water damage. It will make a hollow thump when bumped which is an indication that it is a cheap fix.
Water damage and mold
Most people look for drywall alternatives as drywall is very prone to damage where there is high traffic and water damage is a major concern. It is a prime breeding area for bacteria and mold due to its properties like a binder, organic additives, paper, and gypsum. Gypsum, for example, turns to a gooey paste as it softens during moisture exposure.
High sulfur drywall illness and corrosion issues
The home’s interior could have a foul odor which could be detrimental to your health as metal within the structure corrodes. Health problems have been reported which were caused by emissions like hydrogen sulphide and other sulphur compounds that come from imported drywall products. Various types of drywall products have these sulphurous gas emission problems.
While drywall is often used in homes, you will find many outbuildings and garages with drywall finishing too. However, it is not good for those buildings either. Consider its fragility and ultimately the lack of organizing the garage and maximizing its functionality and opt for alternatives to drywall instead.
Other interior wall material options are recommended with the many flaws that make drywall less than ideal. The lack of texture and shape aside from the hollow thump which tells you a cheap product was installed and that it could not last as long as drywall alternatives. The frailty of drywall tells you that you have an inferior product that will not last while it has the dangers and lack of security when used outdoors too.
Drywall alternatives
Irrespective of the ease of installation and low price, it is unattractive when looking at its drawbacks. We look at wall options other than drywall that might not necessarily be cheaper than drywall or easier to install, but at least does not have its dangers and flaws.
Sheet Wood
Image source: IN Studio & Co. Interiors
Sheet wood is good interior wall options as opposed to drywall. It is one of the cheapest and easier to install drywall alternatives. You can choose to leave it unfinished or paint it too even though it is not quite as smooth as drywall or as fire-resistant. You only need to screw sheet wood into place.
You might have to seal or caulk the joints in the sheet wood as it would allow for air leakage to have good insulation. When used in the garage you can use OSB and plywood for better fastening surface and increased support.
Brick and Masonry
Image source: Crescent Builds
Great alternatives to drywall include masonry and brick as it will not only increase your home’s value but also very sturdy as well. You can choose to paint over it or leave it in its natural beauty. It is the most expensive drywall alternative but lasts a lifetime and you are also using natural recyclable materials.
Fiberglass Reinforced Panels (FRP)
Fiberglass reinforced panels are a good drywall alternative and interior wall options that are popular in places like pools, bathrooms, and kitchen. These are areas where you would normally use tiles. It is great alternatives to sheetrock as well. FRP is popular for sterile environments like doctor’s offices, hospitals, and laboratories since it is resistant to harmful biological agents, bacteria, and mold.
Fiberglass reinforced panels offer the best moisture protection with its fiberglass mats and far tougher than the fragility of drywall. It is both a cheap and easy installation and preferred drywall alternative.
Cement Board
Image source: AR Design Studio Ltd
Good interior wall material options include cement board. When you use it instead of drywall you will have a strong and durable wall. It is resistant to water and mold and great for areas like kitchens and bathroom or anywhere where moisture levels are high.
Traditional Plaster
Image source: Stonelace Designs
When you don’t know what to use instead of sheetrock and wall material other than drywall, you could look at traditional plaster. A number of homeowners especially those that prefer a countryside appearance to their walls and home, choose to use traditional plaster. Technological advancements have brought a great product that comes with excellent structural backing and increased drying times as well.
Veneer Plaster
Veneer plaster is a great alternative to drywall and as convenient to install as drywall. It has similar advantages without the disadvantages of drywall. You do not need any plastering skills even though it is time-consuming.
Veneer plaster is derived from a combination of plaster and drywall with the strengths of both materials. It takes a long time to dry as the plaster is applied over wood lathe strips. The advantage though is a much stronger drywall alternative that will withstand knocks while it is rot resistant too.
Lath and Plaster
Lath forms the backbone of a wall and it is covered with gypsum plaster that both seals and bonds the horizontal slats. While it used to be knocked for being too time-consuming it is easier and faster to install than previously.
Tile
Image source: Curtis Laney & Laney, The Design Company, Inc
If you are looking at cheap alternatives to drywall it would not be tiles, however, the benefits of tiles are undisputed. Tiles are available readily in any color, texture, size, and patterns at varied prices. One of the top benefits of tiles as alternatives to drywall for walls is its protection against stains, dirt, and water.
You can create any look or atmosphere depending on the tile type as well. You can expand with tiles in places where tiles are present already too, for example, backsplashes in kitchens, flooring, wet areas and fireplaces.
Lath with Woodchip-Clay
When you want a safe and soundproof alternative to drywall and sheetrock alternative, lathe with woodchip clay is excellent. It is a lath frame which is filled with clay and bark-free wooden chips which are thoroughly mixed before being covered with plaster. It is great drywall ceiling alternatives as well and very solid while you have the added benefit of a soundproof solution.
Stylish Metal Panels
Great alternatives to sheet rock and alternative to drywall are metal panels. While most people will not use it for their home interior, it is an excellent alternative to drywall to use in workshops and garages.
Natural Stone
Natural stone has unrivaled beauty and attraction. It is hard and great for interior walls when you want to combine nature and blend the exterior of your home to the indoor areas. All interior spaces that are connected to the outdoors like stairs, halls, and entryways will look amazing when you use this drywall substitute.
Wahoo Walls
While Wahoo walls are predominantly used as a drywall alternative for basements, you can use it anywhere else too. It has a long list of advantages include mold and mildew resistant, doesn’t absorb water, ready to paint, save heat and energy and it slides easily to secure together. The core of Wahoo walls is polystyrene with a mineral board of a /4inch thick on both sides. It is heavyweight and durable while it offers great thermal resistance.
Pegboard
Pegboard is convenient and great for use in storage rooms and garages. You can conveniently hang supplies, add fasteners and organize tools. It is easy to install and screwing panels in place with the numerous holes in the pegboard.
If you enjoyed reading this article about drywall alternatives, you should read these as well:
- Blue Kitchen Ideas: Cabinets, Walls, and Counters
- Kitchen Wall Decor Ideas
- All White Walls Villa Extramuros In Arraiolos Designed By Vora Arquitectura
The post Drywall alternatives you should consider using appeared first on Impressive Interior Design.
source https://www.impressiveinteriordesign.com/drywall-alternatives/
No comments:
Post a Comment