paneling

[Tdoggy187]

My 117 year old house has some nice paneling upstairs that I like. Looks like someone just nailed it over some old "ugly" paneling. The newer paneling is Brown and looks like wood. But is just paneling. I'm hoping I can find this same paneling and do the whole downstairs like this. Can I just nail this paneling over drywalled walls downstairs? And is Paneling good for keeping heat in a room? looks like my whole upstairs is panelled. :fisheye:

[junkcollector]

When you say paneling, are you referring to the Masonite or plywood stuff that comes in a 4 X 8 sheet? Or real individual boards?
Can I just nail this paneling over drywalled walls downstairs?
Yes. You will want to find all the studs and put a mark on either the floor or ceiling where they are. Then it will be easier to mount it securely.
And is Paneling good for keeping heat in a room?
My house is full of paneling (the cheap 1/8" thick Masonite kind...), and I say no. (cold air still blows through the cracks...) You may find it difficult to find paneling to match existing paneling that is fairly old.

[Tdoggy187]

Well their not real individual boards. But they don't measure 4x8 either They are just big pieces of paneling looks like. I took one down so far to look behind it. Looks like some kind of rock wall behind it.

Yeah I don't think I'm going to find the "old wood like" paneling. But maybe something close to it. Then I want to panel most of my house like that.

The rock like substance behind it I hope is good for insulation. Looks like some kind of old sheet-rock or something. :santaclaus:

[Mr T]

Sheetrock does not provide much for R value at all.. I dont even know if its rated.

From what you describe, the walls havent been opened up in a while. YOu probably wont find much if any insulation in the walls. I'd take the time to properly insulate your walls and ceiling. it *WILL* pay for itself fairly quickly. Heating costs are only increasing over the next years. If the walls are empty you can blow in cellulose before putting up the paneling.

If there are any major cracks or wall damage, you may want to repair or stablize it first. If that damage shifts it could bow out your paneling.

[Tdoggy187]

Yeah I'm guessing its some old sheetrock behind these "double paneled walls" Looks like whoever put up "what looks like fake oak wood" paneling just put it over some old "ugly" paneling. I don't see any insulation back there at all. I did see a hole near a light switch. Looks like they tried to make a whole for the light switch and then decided to put the light switch a little further down.

You mentioned blowing in cellulose. How do you go about this? I'm pretty new at this so this is the first I'm hearing of this. The only kind of insualtion I have done or seen is that yellow or pink stuff that itches like crazy. That you put in before you put up drywall.

[Tdoggy187]

Here is the paneling I have upstairs..a few different types.. I love the "oak" wood type...I want to do my whole house like that eventually. just not the kitchen :hmmmm2: