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A wall is a vertical divider. It separates the inside from the outside or one room from another. It also supports the ceiling and any subsequent walls and ceilings above. Basement perimeter walls also serve as the house’s foundation so they are especially sturdy—but not very pretty. Nor are the open wood frame walls with plumbing and wiring inside. Wall sheathing offers a smooth, flat surface for painting, hanging things, and as a backdrop for your furnishings. Drywall is the most popular wall sheathing today. Before that it was lath and plaster. lath or strips of wood were nailed to the studs then covered with plaster that was smoothed out by hand before it dried. Next on the popularity list is prefinished paneling that can be attached to the wall framing or to sheets of drywall. Remodeling Tips Which size and thickness of drywall should you use? Most do-it-yourselfers prefer 4 ft. X 8 ft. sheets over larger ones because they are easier to handle. 3/8-in. drywall is preferred for installation over wood wall framing and 1/4-in. drywall if you’re installing over old drywall or paneling. Ceilings will sag if too thin so 5/8-in. drywall is preferred. If attaching drywall or prefinished paneling to an exterior concrete wall, first install 1 X 2 in. wood strips called furring strips. They support the sheathing and offer something to attach it to. Furring strips can be glued to the concrete or installed with special concrete nails available through building suppliers. Remodeling Words Furring strips are narrow strips of wood attached to walls or ceilings. They form a true surface on which to fasten other materials. As with ceilings, consider installing access panels in your basement’s walls to allow access to sewer line cleanouts, electrical service boxes, and HVAC equipment. Don’t drywall over them and later try to figure out where they are. Simply build a small door or other opening in the sheathing for future access.
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