I am in the process of having my hallway remodeled into a bathroom + hallway. The bathroom will be done by contractors, but the remaining part of the hallway I will fix myself.
Originally, I had planned to keep it as it is, but I'm considering putting up OSB while I'm at it. The question that occurred to me was, do I need to have drywall over the OSB, and if so, why? We will likely wallpaper and not paint.
Originally, I had planned to keep it as it is, but I'm considering putting up OSB while I'm at it. The question that occurred to me was, do I need to have drywall over the OSB, and if so, why? We will likely wallpaper and not paint.
In order to:
1. Smooth surface, suitable for wallpapering or painting (after relatively easy joint filling).
2. "Dead" and stable surface, when installing OSB you should even leave a 2-3mm gap between each board to allow for movement due to temperature and humidity changes.
What are the existing walls made of?
1. Smooth surface, suitable for wallpapering or painting (after relatively easy joint filling).
2. "Dead" and stable surface, when installing OSB you should even leave a 2-3mm gap between each board to allow for movement due to temperature and humidity changes.
What are the existing walls made of?
I can recommend Fermacell's fibrous plasterboard. A single board holds up to 20 kg hung on a simple screw and 50 kg if fixed with a plug—if I remember correctly. The material is as rigid as regular plasterboard. We installed this in our house in 2004/2005 and are very satisfied. (A slight disadvantage is that it's somewhat more difficult to install than regular plasterboard)
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Thank you for a great answer!
As it is today, there is plasterboard and behind it are the studs/insulation etc.
I was considering just putting up OSB on top of the plasterboards but that's not a good idea.
If I now put plasterboard on top of the OSB, won't the plasterboards move with the OSB when they shift?
As it is today, there is plasterboard and behind it are the studs/insulation etc.
I was considering just putting up OSB on top of the plasterboards but that's not a good idea.
If I now put plasterboard on top of the OSB, won't the plasterboards move with the OSB when they shift?
I've thought about that too. But I believe that in such a case, the OSB would move beneath the plaster, and the screw holes might widen a bit, etc. Then again, I don't think the OSB will move by 2-3mm even if the installation instructions specify that measurement. But even if it moves just a few tenths of a millimeter, the filler and paint will crack.yoxler said:
If I were in your shoes, I would either tear down the existing plaster, then put up OSB + plaster, or let it be, or add an extra layer of plaster. It depends a bit on what I'm planning with the wall. Plasterboard expanders in double plasterboard can hold quite heavy things. But such a wall is inconvenient if you want to rearrange things on the wall sometimes.
In a house where temperature and humidity are relatively constant and similar throughout the year, OSB obviously doesn't move more than any other material...
Furthermore, if something does happen due to changed humidity, it would likely be that it shrinks or expands, not "moves." In that case, it's good to have a gap between the sheets. However, this should not have any effect on the gypsum board on top.
Furthermore, if something does happen due to changed humidity, it would likely be that it shrinks or expands, not "moves." In that case, it's good to have a gap between the sheets. However, this should not have any effect on the gypsum board on top.
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One quickly becomes aware if OSB moves or not, just like when laying a click floor flush against the wall 
Everything depends on the indoor environment; some have very stable humidity throughout the year, others do not. Wood is a living material; gypsum is not.
My uncle has, like many others, particle board in the kitchen (behind cabinets, etc.) it is tiled directly on this, and it has been that way for 30 years despite it "not being good," not a crack in a grout or any issues whatsoever. But I still wouldn't take the chance, even though I know it can work fine in some cases.
Everything depends on the indoor environment; some have very stable humidity throughout the year, others do not. Wood is a living material; gypsum is not.
My uncle has, like many others, particle board in the kitchen (behind cabinets, etc.) it is tiled directly on this, and it has been that way for 30 years despite it "not being good," not a crack in a grout or any issues whatsoever. But I still wouldn't take the chance, even though I know it can work fine in some cases.