basement framework up, is there a cheaper wall solution besides drywall? where to buy?

Question

the sofa is the ryan sofa but I cant remember the brand name

Answer 1

The best material is still drywall for costs, fire rating and strength. There are other systems out there but none of them are as good as good ol gypsum board.

Answer 2

Drywall is pretty cheap. You don't have to finish it. You can just put it up to make the walls solid. Or use paneling, but it's not much cheaper and it looks like $#!^. Or you can use OSB. It is similar to particle board. I used OSB sheets for a storeroom I built off my garage. I think it is running less than $6 a sheet around here at the moment. It is much thicker and heavier than drywall. It is also much more difficult to cut out electrical access holes too.

Answer 3

Depending on how nice you want the basement walls to look...

You can get the 4x8 panelling pieces or even ones that look like wallpaper or tiling from a big box store. Heck, you can even put up peg-board.

Unless you have to meet city codes, then you're stuck with drywall. Being in a below ground situation, I'd use the blue stuff that they use in bathrooms. Helps against mold and mildew.

Answer 4

OSB and CDX would both work, but neither of them have the fire-rating of gypsum boad (sheet rock). Fire-rated CDX, OSB, or other sheet goods may be avaliable fire treated, but will be hard to find and much more expensive.