Drywall Alternative

Teetorbilt

This is a 12X12 office space in the back corner. 2 walls, 1 door, no windows. The walls have to be 'easily' removeable (they rent) and cheap. They did spec wood studs and I'll tie the door king studs into the roof trusses to keep the whole thing from falling apart.

Here's the big problem. They spec'd drywall and this place has more electronics than the Shuttle. Geekville, Inc. To me, drywall is out of the question just because of the dust.

I'm thinking of some cheap pre-finished paneling and mouldings

I have seen a paneling that used a 'T' strip to cover the seams. Anybody know what this stuff is or have any other suggestions?

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

Tom R

Not familiar with them, - - but wouldn't 'marlite' strips work?? Or even pre-finished battens seem like they would do the trick.

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http://www.tr-built.com

Tom R

You know what??, - - it's all comin' back to me now, - - though I haven't actually seen it around for years (haven't really been lookin'), - - I believe what you're lookin' for is called a 'T-astrugal' strip.

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http://www.tr-built.com

TimNJ

There is also prefinished drywall that has a vinyl type wallpaper factory applied over the sheet. Still have to deal with some dust from cutting but no taping and sanding.

Teetorbilt

I can cut outside or prefab in the shop as I plan to do the framing. I'm most worried about drywall dust in a room full of heavy-duty electronics. Is there something that can come close to drywall prices?

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

jproffer

Wet sand it. Sponge/bucket/no dust..life is good

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Jim P.

Mike Finley

Yep what Jproffer said, if all your worries are just dust how about.

Install a zip wall

set up

Set up a portable air scrubber



and wet sand as suggested.

And get a waiver signed!

Mike Finley

Do a search for hospital remodeling and get a look at those portable systems! If you could rent one that would really be the way to go.

JustaFramer

You can build one too plywood, filter (your choice), squirrel cage fan (high cfm req.) You can even 2 stage the filter furnace filter for intake and hepa for out air.

Tom R

Glued-on vertical drywall, - - 1 X 6 batten strips, - - swear it's the latest!!

__________________
http://www.tr-built.com

TimNJ

The prefinished drywall is mostly used for commercial work. It goes together with corner and seam mouldings like those Marlite panels. Never need to paint it. Try a commercial drywall supplier.

Teetorbilt

Thanks all but keep it coming, I'm ploughing through the web every extra moment looking for a solution. Europe has some great stuff, why don't we have that here? The shipping alone would kill the project.

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

mdshunk

From the spec sheet of an upcoming doctor's office expansion:

"DETAIL 44.2 - PREFINISHED VINYL COVERED WALLBOARD

GENERAL. This work shall consist of furnishing and installing prefinished vinyl covered wallboard in accordance with the details shown on the plans and these special provisions.

SUBMITTALS. Manufacturer's descriptive data, installation instructions and two samples of the vinyl covering shall be submitted for approval. Samples shall be of the color and texture shown on the plans and shall not be less than 6" x 6" in size.

PRODUCTS.

Wallboard.
Wallboard shall be 1/2 inch thick gypsum wallboard conforming to ASTM Designation: C 36 with a factory applied, color fast, scrubable, washable, stain resistant vinyl covering conforming to Federal Specification: CCC-W-408A, Type II. The vinyl covering shall have a maximum flame spread rating of 25 and a total weight of not less than 20 ounces per yard of material that is 48 inches wide.

Adhesives.
Adhesives shall be as recommended by the wallboard manufacturer. Adhesives shall not cause delamination, deterioration or discoloration of the vinyl surfacing.

Fasteners.
Fasteners, where used, shall be non-visible, concealed edge, positive alignment mechanical attachment clips, gypsum wallboard screws and color matched stainless steel screws.

Trim and moulding.
Trim and moulding shall be manufacturer's standard, color coordinated vinyl or extruded aluminum accessories. Other trim must be submitted for approval.

Materials shall be delivered in original packages, containers or bundles which bear the brand name, applicable standard of manufacture and name of the manufacturer or supplier.

Materials shall be kept dry and fully protected from weather and direct sunlight exposure. Wallboard panels shall be stacked flat with adequate support to prevent sagging or damage to edges, ends and surfaces.

EXECUTION. Edges of vinyl covered gypsum wallboard panels shall be butted together at the vertical joints in accordance with the manufacturer's concealed attachment clip procedures.
The edges and ends of vinyl covered panels shall coincide with framing members.
Horizontal joints, if any, shall be located near the top of walls. A vinyl trim divider that matches the color of the panel shall be used between the ends of adjoining panels at the horizontal joints.
Spacings of the concealed attachment clips along the panel edges, if used, shall not exceed 16 inches vertically. Color matched stainless steel screws shall be used at those locations where clips can not be used.
Gypsum wallboard screws shall be used at the tops and bottoms of the wallboard panels. Screws shall be spaced at 16 inches on centers and shall be located beneath the top moulding or above the mechanical ceiling, and below the bottom base.
The manufacturer's recommended adhesive shall be used at intermediate furring studs or framing members when wallboard panels 48 in width are used. Adhesive shall be applied in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
Installed, damaged vinyl surfaced wallboard panels shall be removed and replaced with new panels. Panels shall not be patched, sanded, painted, textured or touched-up with paint.
After installation of the panels, the vinyl surface shall be cleaned of all stains, surplus adhesives, dirt, grease or other deleterious material. Cleansers shall conform to the wallboard manufacturer's recommendations and shall not abrade, delaminate, deteriorate or discolor the vinyl covering. The surface shall be rinsed clean of cleansers.
After rinsing, the vinyl surfaces shall be rubbed dry using soft, clean cloths."

Teetorbilt

Holy cr*p! You certainly have that covered! I thought that I was in the litigation capitol of the world. Wait! My customers have places out there, $1M+ homes where they spend a couple weeks a year.

md, I'm still only looking for alternitives to drywall for wall fabrication in GeekWorld.

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

mdshunk

Oh, these architects.... they have CD's full of "specifier's guides" for stuff that they can just click and drag into the specs and prints. It builds value in their end product (the plan), I suppose. Sometimes I think that the goal, when making plans and specs, is not a "good plan" but rather "poundage". It's stupid, but you have to read all these silly specs. There's always something in there that will bite you in the arse if you don't read them.

Say, how's painted MDO grab you?

bob the builder

How bout 12' drywall wall top course, then chair rail and paneling for bottom. Trim in the corners and then all you have are the screw holes...

Tom R

Good and clean suggestion, Bob.

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http://www.tr-built.com

nailbanger138

might i suggest simple using wainscott 4x8 paneling. inexpensive and fast. no paint required, but you have to keep it very clean during install to avoid the paint.

Teetorbilt

Want more fun? Now they want sound insulation! Asked what freqs., they had no idea. Change Order went out as Acoustibloc + 1" alum. styrofoam.

Fun, fun, fun, 'til your daddy takes your T-Bird away---------

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

Stomkat

This post caused me to register.

I'm a geek. You aren't dealing with geeks.

They would realize the jeopardy their equipment is in at this moment if they leave it in your work area. THEY should be more worried about dust than you.

Can they move everything to a safer area until you're done? Unless they're running servers, this shouldn't be a problem. And, in a 12X12 room? I seriously doubt that they're running servers in there.

If not, I have cats, kids, ... a whole lot of animals, dirt, and dust. They could, as a last resort, tape paper towels to all air intakes on their equipment. They would have to check it periodically and change paper towels as neccessary. You throwing plastic over everything is as much as you should have to do. Unless they are paying you extra to assure that their equipment isn't harmed. It's just common sense (to a geek).

Of course, if they don't check the paper towels and change them, that will cause fans to overheat, which will in turn cause processors to fry, which could burn out mother boards....

But, shouldn't that be their worry? They should know about computers. You should only know about the job you're doing. Contracting. THEIR computers are THEIR job.

I breed fish. They say if you have an exterminator come into your home, turn off the air pumps and cover all aquariums. I know I should find a place for all my fish for at least 24 hours. Better to be safe than sorry...if you value what you have.

I say, write it into the contract that any damage that is caused to their equipment is their fault. They should be able to move their equipment, or protect it THEMSELVES.

If they are running servers that are online, they should inform everyone that they will be offline from X-X. Happens all the time, even for routine maintenance. Although, if they're serious about their servers, they should have alternate hookups.

If it's just an office server, they should be able to hookup anywhere in their office and go on, business as usual.