Drywall Experts

[xscorex]

ok, after doing the inspection on a house I have under contract, I noticed the the basement den whose walls were covered in grasscloth wallpaper were not drywall but what looked like MDF board. Im guessing the guy redid his basement with what he had laying around. Now I wanted to trash the wallpaper first thing and paint. Expecting the worst under the grasscloth, would I be better to just pull the mdf out and put up drywall? I would plan on hanging it myself. Also I would have to do the ceiling as it is made of tiles, not drop down but like 1 foot square tiles that looks like it is stapled to straping that runs across the floor studs. Im planning on having a pro mud and sand the finished product. Or would it be just as easy to to mud and tape the mdf board if thats even possible. or would it just look like ****?

Another good thing about taking the mdf down, is that I could then recycle it and use it as finish in the detached garage. which right now has no insulation or drywall up. Any other ideas? you guys might have would be helpful. thanks!

 

[jwhcars]

I would replace it with green board drywall (moisture resistant) also when you are replacing it you will be able to see how the walls are insulated. Finished drywall will make the room look more like the rest of the house rather than a basement. Higher resle value down the road IMO.

 

[rodnok1]

It would be easier to rip it down and drywall it like was said, mdf in a damp location doesn't sound like a good idea to begin with.

 

[blkhonda1991]

take it down and do it right

 

[xscorex]

Im inclined to go with the rip it down, the basement though doesnt have any water issues. I was just wondering if you guys had any better ideas.

 

[jwhcars]

You may not have any water issues but a basement in NC with the humidity will get damp. Now if it is air conditioned and heated that will change things for the better.

 

[xscorex]

Yeah its heated and air conditioned, but it will get humid in the summer. Basically its a split level house. Right now It has an old 70s basement rec room feel to it. I was hoping all I had to do was pull down the ceiling tiles and the wallpaper. Looks like I'll have t o gut the entire room. It also has crazy 70s carpet which Im going to pull up. Ugh, The project keeps getting bigger and bigger, but the end result will be something I'm happy with

 

[Abbott]

If there are no moisture issues you could skip trowel and paint it. I would prime with a couple coats of Kilz or something similar first. Wal-Mart has a Kilz knock off but I can't remember the name of it right now.

 

[jwhcars]

We just helped my son do his family room. Wall paper from the 70's over raw drywall he ended up gutting the room. Yes it took less time to redrywall than strippping and patching the walls and now he knows what is behind the walls and that it is done right.
Good luck on your remodel and you show it off to us when you get it finished. We like pics ;-)

 

[Full Size 66]

I'm not even a drywall guy and or a basment guy, but if it is a basement and it has any concrete it has moisture!! reguardless of location.... Yes as the other guys said rip out and replace.

 

[Abbott]

I'm a drywall guy and I could make the room look like it was sheet-rocked new with a texture, prime and paint if there were no moisture issues. Plus save a ton of money on time and materials. Send me a PM if you have any questions.

 

[kharma]

We just helped my son do his family room. Wall paper from the 70's over raw drywall he ended up gutting the room. Yes it took less time to redrywall than strippping and patching the walls and now he knows what is behind the walls and that it is done right.
Good luck on your remodel and you show it off to us when you get it finished. We like pics ;-)

I thought this story sounded familiar...

 

[xscorex]

thanks guys, hahah I was just informed by my fiance that she wants us to do it right. in her words " none of this extreme redneck bullsh!t" hahaha. I guess Ill wind up gutting it. at least then I can wire some cat 5 connections into the room and the rooms adjacent to it which would be kinda nice.