most likely underneath? Did they sheet rock first? Can you just rip it down and piant the wall underneath or will you be putting up a whole wall. It is a huge wall.
2006-10-02 04:45:30 · 15 answers · asked by tenaciousd 6 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
For fire safety requirements, the builder *should* have first installed drywall or plaster underneath, to provide a wall with a basic fire rating.
But, shocking as it may seem, sometimes builders skipped that and just slapped the panelling to the walls.
In a basement situation, they probably just installed wood furring strips to the concrete or block walls, then attached the panelling to the strips. Drywall would be an unnecessary cost.
I have no idea how the Brady Bunch built their house. But like most Hollywood sound stages, it was probably a false wall made with just 2x4's and panellig.
2006-10-02 07:03:24 · answer #1 · answered by Tom-SJ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think what you are referring to is called "Wainscoating" and if the people who put it up knew what they were doing, it should be sheetrocked, but that doesn't mean that it's prepped for painting. It may have exposed seams that need to be spackled, and it may also need a primer coat. OR, depending on how old the house is and how many people have decorated over the years, you could be facing the dreaded 37 layers of wall paper.
I would try to peel back a little bit of it in an inconspicuous area, the stuff is somewhat pliable, and take a peek at what you're dealing with.
I see a couple of people have said that they think it's probably not sheetrocked. I would be inclined to think that it is.
Did you have an inspection when you bought the house? You must have. I would think that the inspector would have noticed if it was wainscoating over insulation. That would NOT be up to code, and, come to think of it, you could probably just tap on it and be able to tell if there's a solid surface underneath.
2006-10-02 04:53:31 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some, stupidly, is nailed right to the studs. The best is to nail it to a firmer surface like sheet rock. But maybe they did not use nails, but glued it. If it is nailed to the sheet rock, simply pull the paneling down, patch the nail holes, and go to work and paint it.
If they glued it, getting it off will be a night mare and it is better to take off sheetrock and all. Taht would mean redoing the sheet rock, which is not difficult, but takes time.
You have to remember that the sheet rock will go under the molding around windows and doors and you might have to remove all of those and make adjustment so that the molding goes up easier. If both teh sheet rock and the paneling go under the molding, then you will have to probably make some adjustments, planeing the excess off the edges of the door frames and window frames to get it to look nice.
2006-10-02 06:11:49 · answer #3 · answered by Polyhistor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
From my experience, there is usually a regular painted wall behind such paneling or at the very least drywall. In either case this usually means you only have to paint. However, that is not to say there couldn't be something else behind it as well, because each house, like a fingerprint is unique. I would probably seek out an inconspicuous spot and remove a small section just to see what I'm working with. Once you know that, you can decide whether or no it is work pursuing.
2006-10-02 04:53:44 · answer #4 · answered by the_green_grass_horse 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
On a recent job (updating a house for flipping) I ran into the same thing. On this particular project - there was in fact dry wall under the paneling, but I have heard of cases where the paneling was laid directly over the framing. If you luck out (as we did), just take your time in removing the paneling (as to not damage the drywall) and then texture and paint. If there is nothing under the paneling - you may have a little more work ahead of you - but it will definitely look nice when you are done. Installing drywall is not difficult, just take you time when making cuts.
good luck
2006-10-02 05:03:12 · answer #5 · answered by bmwest 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same thing in my house, and for years I just painted over the paneling. I decided to take it down and underneath was plasterboard. With that you can either paint it but it will take several coats of paint unless you seal it. or you can put up new paneling. I chose to paint. I also had another wall that was fake brick paneling and I left that because it made a nice back wall for wood burning stove. Hope this helps.
2006-10-02 04:54:15 · answer #6 · answered by dee_trobridge 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'd probably have to peel back one panel to find out. Normally, there should not be anything underneath the paneling but the studs and insulation however, if the previous tenants were trying to cover up something else, then you could be in a for a surprise.
2006-10-02 04:49:01 · answer #7 · answered by fla_dan 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
paneling is not very thick 1/4 in max. . More than likely, something is underneath it. Give it a gentle puch in a couple of places an see if there is give. If not, for sure there is something backing it. If you pull it off, you will have quite a few nail holes to deal with unless it is glued. In that case it will be worse. The glue residue will have to be dealt with.
Is that an Italian Greyhound I see? It sure looks like one. Looks like it might be wearing a sweater.
2006-10-02 08:39:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Studs. Insulation will probably be btw the studs on the exterior walls only.
You will probably have to sheetrock.
Or you could possibly texture over the whole wall with mud and then paint. This could be terrible advice. Ask the Home Depot paint dept before you act.
2006-10-02 04:55:28 · answer #9 · answered by lofolulu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would imagine drywall will be underneath but if the house is say 50+ years old you might find plaster. If it is drywall you might have to replace it rather than try to tape it if they glued the panelling on. If it is plaster you should be able to patch any holes.
2006-10-02 04:57:37 · answer #10 · answered by familysport 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋