{"id":1812,"date":"2022-04-11T11:13:48","date_gmt":"2022-04-11T11:13:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whatblueprint.com\/?p=1812"},"modified":"2023-04-14T13:26:37","modified_gmt":"2023-04-14T13:26:37","slug":"drywall-alternatives-for-basements","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/whatblueprint.com\/drywall-alternatives-for-basements\/","title":{"rendered":"Drywall Alternatives For Basements"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
Depending on its design and environment, you might need to find alternative options for your basement walls. With that, there are always different ways to change your house, and there are always specialized materials for specific purposes that you can use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drywall Alternatives for a basement will need to hold up insulation, be capable of sealing out moisture, and last. If you plan on replacing your basement\u2019s walls, you\u2019ll need to consult with an engineer and secure a permit to do this type of project.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Basement wall changes are different compared to your above-ground walls. Given your basement location, the walls may be foundational walls that homeowners can\u2019t easily change or can have essential utilities in them that you don\u2019t want to disrupt, such as hot water pipes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Drywall is often used as the exterior shell for an already built wall. It\u2019s just one of the many boards that provide a smooth surface for finishing. Aside from that, drywall is so often used that most instructions that you find on the internet are probably based on working on drywall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n With that, there are times that drywall isn\u2019t exactly the most optimal choice especially in harsher conditions or if you have a niche use for your basement. Here are the different alternatives for drywall that you can go for: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Wooden panels are made from either sheets of wood or panels. Typically, wooden panels are treated to provide more durability and shine. To make wood panels work, you\u2019ll need to ensure that your basement is well-ventilated( to prevent mould build-up) and waterproofed( to prevent decay).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Acoustical Panels are a niche finish for basements, as their only practical application is to keep sound inside\/ prevent outside noise from getting in. If you have a garage or a workshop inside your basement, then acoustic panels will reduce the unpleasantness of louder sounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Masonry is a classic finish for any part of your home. They\u2019re quite easy to set up and inexpensive as well. The main issue with masonry for a basement is moisture. Since basements are below ground level, groundwater can leak in and be absorbed into your wall. Waterproofing, good site drainage, and even vapour barriers can help prevent this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Concrete Boards are made from cement and fibres poured into a thin mold. Concrete handles moisture quite well and dries easily, so humidity won\u2019t be a problem. You\u2019ll need to apply a vapour barrier between a concrete board and the rest of your wall to prevent moisture from permeating from the outside going in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They\u2019re an awesome choice for basements because even if they are quite heavy per sq ft. ( compared to gypsum boards or wooden panels), it\u2019s fine since you\u2019re adding weight to a lower level, thus closer to your foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re looking to add texture, then plaster is the way. Plaster is simply cement or lime mixed in with sand and water. The main issue with plaster is how difficult it can be to get right, especially if you\u2019re inexperienced in applying it. Any faulty application will cause the plaster to show signs of deterioration almost instantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aside from that, plaster is quite cheap and does not require much for it to be applied well. The benefits of plaster for your wall include fireproofing, increased durability, soundproofing, and quite easy to replace or repair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are other alternatives, such as plywood, vinyl, corkboard, rubber veneer, etc., but those drywall alternatives are quite difficult to maintain or install inside a basement. We want to use materials that are generally compatible and easy to work with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A general rule of thumb is to always construct with purpose, meaning that even your wall should add some function to your space aside from just making it look better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aside from just the drywall you can also consider what type of basement wall you want. Many wall types can be used for your basement aside from drywall. Although drywall has many benefits, they also have cons. The main cons of drywall are that it\u2019s not an excellent sealant for moisture, which can be harmful, especially if you want better insulation inside your basement. Here are the different alternatives for drywall that you can go for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Masonry Wall<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n For a quick refresher, masonry refers to building blocks(from concrete, bricks, and stones) held together by mortar. Masonry walls are a bit trickier than concrete walls as the mortar joints between the bricks can be a weak spot that can let moisture seep in. However, the main benefit of masonry is that they\u2019re easier to take apart in case you need to do any repairs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Precast Concrete Wall<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Precast concrete is simply concrete poured into a mold and cured before being delivered on-site. Instead of waiting for the concrete to cure on-site, it\u2019s merely installed and fastened into place. For basements, this could work, but it will take some extra work to set them up correctly, especially if these will be your foundation walls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Wood Boards\/Panels<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Wooden walls can either be plywood boards or made up of wooden panels. The main benefit of a wood wall is that it is easy to repair, replace, and work with, especially with wooden panels. However, wood tends to be quite fragile and can break down or rot if the conditions in your basement are not up to par. Wood also needs to be treated and sealed to prevent this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Plastic Panels<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Plastic panels are terrific if you have moisture problems in your basement, as they\u2019re impervious to water. However, you should note that having a material with little to no permeability will make condensation much more likely. You might have to wipe off the water since it won\u2019t be absorbed and dried by the material in a basement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no best material out in this list because the best material will depend on the context of your basement and other conditions. Aside from that, the cost of these types of walls will vary based on multiple factors such as the availability and price of materials, labor, professional fees, permits needed, and also the amount of work that needs to be done based on your basement\u2019s context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wall panels are often the primary choice as an alternative for drywalls in your basement. Both of these materials have their different benefits and cons that you\u2019ll need to consider in determining the best one for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As we can see, paneling, in general, will require much more work compared to drywalls. Still, as listed above, they also come with a wider array of benefits that are much more specific depending on what you need for your basement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>Alternatives for Drywall for a basement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a>Different types of walls for Basements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1<\/strong>. Concrete wall<\/strong>
Concrete walls are a great choice that you can\u2019t go wrong with. From structural integrity to permeation, concrete is one of the most used materials globally for a reason. If moisture is a concern for you, unique concrete mixes increase their moisture-resistance properties just like the ones used for dams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>
Basement Wall Panels vs Drywall<\/h2>\n\n\n\nBasement Wall Panels<\/strong><\/td> Drywall<\/strong><\/td><\/tr> Installation takes longer<\/td> Easier to install,<\/td><\/tr> Can get quite pricey, depending on the material used.<\/td> Inexpensive<\/td><\/tr> Quite limited in usage and options for finishes.<\/td> More versatile<\/td><\/tr> Requires fire-retardants to be applied.<\/td> Inherently Fireproof<\/td><\/tr> Specialized and specific properties<\/td> For general use<\/td><\/tr> Noise-dampening is not a primary feature.<\/td> Inherently Acoustical<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n