Is it worth installing drywall over a brick wall to make the room warmer?

Question

I moved to Italy and bought an apartment. The houses here aren't insulted like in the U.S. They have brick walls and plaster; that's it. My bedroom which has one outside wall gets kind of cold in the winter. I have new windows and the cold doesn't enter through them. The whole wall just gets pretty cold. I was thinking about covering that wall with drywall. Between the two, I want to put a sheet of material which is about 1/8th of an inch thick. One side seems to be of aluminum and the other a spongy type material. I think this is normally used when putting in a parquet floor (between the sub-floor and the parquet).

Do you think this might work and make my room at least a couple of degrees warmer? Also can I attach the drywall directly to the wall using screws and anchors or should I put up studs like in the good ol' USA?

Answer 1

Not knowing where in Italy, I'll trade ya,,,smiles. I'm in Florida.

Seriously if that material is available certainly it can help insulate. I have no clue as to suplliers in Italy, but with the housing evolutions there and the great designers I have to believe there are similar suppliers as HD/Lowes here.

I'd suggest firring strips, anchored to the brick with might equate to TAP CONS here in the states. Brick is easy to drill into with a mortar bit. If possible, beyond what you describe you might seek a supplier of some kind of construction grade Foam sheeting, as is also sold here in the States in various thicknesses, and cut to fit between the firring strips which you should install 16 inches at centers. I guess what you use also depends on how much floor and room space you can give up. I 2x4 stud and 1/2 inch drywall will eat up about 4 1/8 inch of floor space, into a room, on any or each wall.

The drywall should be similar in size to here in the states, though perhaps measured metrically? A 4 x 8 sheet of 1/2 inch should still be installed with help, and whether or not you use firring strips or studs and the proper length screws, the install would be similar to methods used here, in the States.

Certainly some FOIL, reflecive surface, pretty much as you describ, faced to the brick will help. Also without knowing a heating source, anything that raises your temp to even a comfortable 68 degrees in a room you sleep in, usually using blankets, etc. should be fine.

Steven Wolf

Kinda too bad to cover brick. I like it as an interior wall surface, but I like WARM too,,,smiles.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

If this is an apartment and not a condo, then I would be careful what I put up without the owner's permission.

Something simple like hanging a rug on the wall would help decorate and insulate a little too. If you are fortunate enough to be able to do what you want then you could run the panels you spoke of, or use 1 by 2's for furring strips, mount the drywall and then use the insulating foam behind that. Ciao

Answer 4

As far as insulation is concerned polystyrene is best, you must make sure that there are no holes or cracks in the wall and no holes or cracks in the polystyrene a really tight fit is required between the studs. Fit a plastic membrane over the complete structure before installing the drywall, once again making sure there are no holes for drafts to blow through. This will ensure that condensation in the room will not get inside the wall and freeze.
Five inches of polystyrene is best, a lesser thickness will make a difference, but don't go below one inch

Answer 5

You don't need a full depth stud wall as so many have suggested. Either use wood lathe attached to the brick, or metal hat channel. The metal is probably more readily available in Italy, as Europeans don't build wood-framed houses. It's about 1" deep and attaches with masonry nails or screws. you put the foil-backed insulation between the 'studs' and cover with drywall. Regular drywall screws will work in the metal (that's actually what they were invented for).

Answer 6

If you own the apartment why not use something thicker like 3/4" blue foam board. Run wood strips down the wall to use as the mounting of the drywall. If there is electrical outlets in the wall you will have to bring them out too. You will need concrete screws to attach the studs.

Answer 7

I had a brick house many yrs ago that was like this. you need to frame the walls with studs and put a stud every 18 inches apart, put in insulation, paper side towards the room. then dry wall. Make sure you use studs for the framing instead of regular 2x4's. Those are longer. Make sure you frame the window, putty and paint. That should really help. Good luck. when putting the wood to the wall you should use masonry nails, screws or what ever you have available for masonry, Like the Good ol' US of A

Answer 8

The point of an interior wall, other than simple good looks, is to retain insulation. If you plan to drywall, put in a framework of 2" x 4" or equivalent studding, and place fiberglas, rigid styrofoam or other insulating material between the studs. Then you are ready to drywall the inside surface. The sheet material you mention sounds like moisture proofing, and that is not your problem here.

Answer 9

It would seem that you would still need to use studs to anchor the sheetrock securely to the brick with masonry screws and the material you are talking about is a type of insulation. (I would put it between the studs with a plastic moisture barrior between it and the insulating board.) A home improvements show was doing an exterior wall using that. Then they used chicken wire over it and plastered over that and it looked great as a stucco wall. Using the insulation under it would definately help your problem! (Use care when putting up wall fixtures when complete.)

Answer 10

I would run wood tack strips down for the full length at 1/2 inches in width and put 1/2 inch insulation behind the drywall before nailing it to the strips and that will warm up the room great./

You don;t want to nail Sheet rock to brick. Nail the strips to the brick with rock nails and then use sheet rock nails for the sheet rock to the strips.