Favourite dry lining method?

[markwm]

If you were to build your own house, what method of dry lining would you specify? Assuming the building is of standard block construction.

- dot and dab
- Metal C stud + pboard
- Timber + pboard

Cost and time aside.

Which is least susceptible to movement and cracking? Which is easiest to live with in terms of how easy it to hang shelves, repair etc etc..?

I have no experience with C-stud but can't imagine it being as versatile as wood. ie, if I were hanging a plasma TV on a wodden stud wall I could easily insert extra noggins where said plasma is to be hung. Can you do that with C-stud? and just how sturdy is it?

Timber would be my 1st choice but worried about movement on large areas especially as most merchants stock their timber outside all day.

Not the biggest fan of dot and dab, possibly because I've not really ever seen anyone who can do it properly.

 

[roughcaster]

Definitely timber and plasterboard. You can make it as strong as you like and choose where you want to fit as many extra noggins as you need, for cupboards, tv's, shelves, etc..... I would not want any walls in my house dot and dabbed... We have plastered walls on concrete block for the "externals", and timber and p/board (plastered) on the internal walls. Like you, I have no experience either of metal stud framing and p/board.

Roughcaster.

 

[markwm]

Out of interest why wouldn't you want dot and dot?

 

[roughcaster]

I just wouldn't. I see dot and dab as a cheap option, plasterboard "stuck" onto blocks. I have seen walls where you know the p/board has come unstuck in areas, where you can feel/hear the sheet moving in places, so you have to drill, plug and screw it to make it solid again.... It's not so easy when you want to run a new cable/fix sockets in the wall, especially if the sheet has been dabbed tightly to the blocks....You can't insulate behind it... Fixing things onto it can be more awkward.....It's not straightforward to replace a sheet/s of p/board if you damage them, whilst say,removing tiles, or you could damage it when replacing skirtings,etc ,, no,,, definitely not dot and dab for me, ever!! I'm sure there are people with differing opinions, but as I said, not for me. I wonder how many builders would dot and dab the walls in "their own newly constructed house".

Roughcaster.

 

[Richard C]

I don’t disagree with Rough’s sentiments but I’m not totally averse to D&D & use it regularly on some renovations where time/cost is paramount as it’s a quick & usefully way of providing a nice flat wall; if it’s done properly with the edges adequately supported, the boards shouldn’t come unstuck.

I wonder how many builders would dot and dab the walls in "their own newly constructed house".

This says it all for me though; if you’re building your own new house why on earth would you want D&D or even use plasterboard! Why turn your new house into a “Barratt” substitute, go for a full float set & skim. More expensive sure but it won’t shout “cheap” at you when you tap the walls & will make your house ultimately more saleable – I would personally never buy a property with stud walls or walls that have been D&D’d!