Guy who is helping me design my house told me that instead of using interior braces in some locations (it’s a timber frame), we can do a shear wall, basically put 1/4″ plywood to the interior partitions and then cover it with 1/4″ drywall.
Anybody have any thoughts on this? I would think it’s a pretty good idea, especially considering you can hang stuff almost anywhere, but the big issue has got to be the expense. Also, I’ve not seen 1/4″ drywall around, but I’m sure the lumberyard or specialty supplier can get it.
Replies
Jon
I don't think that I would hang kitchen cabs off of 1/4" ply.
Not really sure where you are planing on using this but since I build cabinets the thought came to mind.
Doug
No, this is for upstairs as bedroom partition walls. No cabs. I'd hang that stuff from studs anyway. The SIPS are either going to be structural panels or have a nailer let in at the factory, depending on who I get for a panel mfr.
As for the plaster coat - interesting thought. Is it difficult? I've never done plaster before, but 5/8" ply with plaster sounds like it could be an option.
Once worked on a home that had had a lot of the interior walls perpendicular to the exterior faced with 5/8" ply on one side as shear walls. The ply was skimmed with smooth hard-coat plaster job and painted. You couldn't tell the difference visually. If you knocked on the wall there was a slight difference in sound and feel but not an obvious one.
Why wouldn't you just use 1/2 " products? Is losing that extra 1/2" that meaningful?
blue
Warning! Be cautious when taking any advice from me. Although I have a lifetime of framing experience, some of it is viewed as boogerin and not consistent with views of those who prefer to overbuild everything...including their own egos
Additionally, don't take any political advice from me. I'm just a parrot for the Republican talking points. I get all my news from Rush Limbaugh and Fox and Friends (they are funny...try them out)!
i would be surprised if 1/4" passed an engineer's specs for a shear wall.
when you price the 1/4" drywall, you will probably reconsider the whole idea anyway.....
carpenter in transition
As a plasterer and drywall conttractor i would do it with 1/2" ply and then whatever thickness of drywall you want. Although a conceren i would have would be of sound transmission thru a thin wall. Also i think there would be no benefit in plastering directly over the ply since you would need to apply wire lathe to the ply and then a scratch and finish coat of plaster. In the end your wall thickness will be the same as using 3/8 or 1/2 rock