chinese drywall

[Bullwinkle]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=axHNwZQ0vkGg


another thing to keep an eye on while building, emissions from drywall

[mella l]

My understanding is that none of this was delivered to Hawaii. The poor people who are surviving the Katrina aftermath and rebuild and the Florida markets were heavy hit with this and it is such a shame. Living in a house that is poisoned, sounds like the mold problems in California in spec homes built by dishonest companies, sickening hundreds and then the houses are abandoned.

mella l

[Bullwinkle]

Id check the next boat load - grin

[john the architect]

Everybody laughed at me when I built in HPP without drywall. Not anymore. It was a little more in material and in labor, but it could be finished faster and stronger with cement-based (vs. mud) finishes. My clients have seen the results and want the same in their projects. http://www.jmagreenbuilding.com 

[Hotzcatz]

Drywall is evil stuff. Nasty and soul-less. An economical alternative is 1" x 6" tongue and groove pine boards. Either nailed on vertically or horizontally as desired. It adds a nice cottage touch to the interior. They can either be finished clear for the "rustic cabin" look or painted for the cottage look.

On a square foot basis, the 1" x 6" pine boards are less expensive than drywall. It does take longer to install them, though, so contractors don't like to use them since they have expensive hourly workers and they get a discount on materials.

---

"I like yard sales," he said. "All true survivalists like yard sales."
Kurt Wilson

[Bullwinkle]

and if screwed in ... the boards can be moved and re used when re modeling, .... I have some that have been in several "spots" in the cabin - ultimate recycling

[Rob Tucker]

I used zero drywall in my home. I applied 1/4" Hardi panel to the light gauge steel frame and a coat of imperial Plaster over that.

[Wayman]

Rob, you used the terminology "imperial plaster". I date back to lath and plaster, but am not familiar with Imperial Plaster. I like your thinking of steel studs and 1/4" Hardi Board that will not mold.

Has anyone any experience with the use of black light for mold? It is the latest treatment for water purification. It is my understanding that it is equally effective against mold. If that is so, it might make sense to install a small light in each closet, especially near leather shoes.

[Wayman]

I did some research on black light. It is good against pathogens, but of limited effectiveness agaist mold. Sorry I suggested that it might work. I would like to know Rob what it is you used over Hardi panel. If we build ourselves, and I think we may as much as we can, I see no reason to use drywall if it can be avoided. Our idea is to build a shotgun style straight house to keep the whole process simple. Trojan has several such designs, I hope they are amenable to materials changes we see of value.

[Rob Tucker]

I placed a skim coat of Imperial plaster over the Hardi panel.

There is a drywall product which does not use paper. It has, as I understand, a fine fiberglas mesh and is sometimes referred to as yellow board. I have not used it.