Alternatives to Drywall: 4 Popular Options

Drywall is difficult to deal with due to the fragile nature of the building material. It is also a difficult material to mold into different aesthetics in order to accommodate a specific internal design concept or to adhere to a different building standard.

Drywall is a plain type of building material that was created for mass production and fast installation, not overall building appearance or design. Many builders, architects, or designers, seek to overcome the bland image of drywall by using other building materials instead.

Many alternative drywall materials exist, and selecting from the most interesting ones can make installation easier and the building more unique.

Source: http://www.truelinewoodworks.com

Wood Paneling

Wood wall paneling, a popular building item back in the 1970s, is still used as an alternative to drywall. It’s a lightweight material that’s easy to attach to any given wall. It also makes a strong statement in appearance and warms up any room. The ability to customize various wood sizes also makes wood paneling attractive to buyers seeking to create a specific wall design. Unlike drywall, wood paneling can get rather expensive as builders seek to customize how the overall wall will appear. Great examples of wood wall paneling are in movies and TV shows such as the Brady Bunch.

source:http://www.houzz.com

Veneer Plaster

Another alternative to drywall is veneer plaster, which is a heavy duty plaster wall that can withstand scratches and damage with more resistance compared to drywall. Veneer plaster would be popular for children’s rooms or basements, where there may be activity that could lead to problematic damaging on the walls. However, veneer plaster is not a modern invention. This building craft traces back before the twentieth century. It’s the reason why Victorian and Antebellum housing had thicker walls and a sturdier foundation.

The hefty appearance of veneer plaster correlates to how the material is manipulated into the wall. Plaster is laid over a gypsum board creating almost a double wall, providing extra support to the gypsum board, while also creating a very thick wall. However, veneer plaster is not typically a favorite among modern building professionals due to its overall cost and time-consuming installation.

Read the rest of this article on the WB Doors blog here: http://www.wbdoors.com/blog-layout/4-popular-alternatives-to-drywall