[Woody26]

I'm planning on building a false wall ontop of an existing partition wall (my house is a semi). I'm not sure to use 18mm mdf or 12.5mm plasterboard? I don't want to plaster the wall, so will i get a good finish using plasterboard?

Please help me!

[kishoo]

Hi,


I build a lot of these for my clients and always use plaster board with a top skim. Remember the limitations of the sizes of the sheets that you are working with ..... If you build it out of MDF then it will be alot heavier and you will be have to be very careful with the corners to get a good finish. Aditionally the paint tends to soak into the MDF more and give a slightly uneven finish unless its a sprayed finish. If you are determined to build it out of MDF, then use Moisture resistant MDF ( Its green in colour ) It will give you a better finish ...


Hope this helps,


Kishoo

[Woody26]

Thanks for the reply Kishoo.

Is there anyway I could use plasterboard but not have to skim plaster over it?

[MitsiTurbo]

Is it a new stud partition wall on top of an old one (i.e. whole wall) or a floating wall type thing?

[Woody26]

It will be a new stud wall ontop of an existing wall.

[MitsiTurbo]

Originally Posted by Woody26

It will be a new stud wall ontop of an existing wall.

In that case definetely plasterboard

[Woody26]

Do you think though that I can get a good finish without plastering over the top?

[Sacred09]

Im not a decorator but i have seen them fill the screwholes and use a special tape over the board joints, and many coats of paint on normal plasterboard.

So yes it can be done, with a good finish

[Woody26]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Plasterboard works out at a third the price of mdf so would be the prefferred method

[deansocial]

18mm mdf is far too excessive. 9mm would be more than strong enough.

[Woody26]

Ok 9mm it is then. Still considering if ?I should cover the entire wall or just make a floating wall..... the main reason behind covering the entire wall is to reduce the noise from my neighbours but could just a floating wall hlep reduce the noise?

[deansocial]

seperating it from the other wall would get best results for soundproofing. Also seperate it with foam where it attaches to everything

[deansocial]

also use PUR glue(in a silicone type tube) to stick it to the studs then pin with a nailgun with 16g brads or nail by hand with some 40mm pins. this will make it easier to decorate as far less filling

[deansocial]

and if you papered it with lining paper the finish would be perfect

[Woody26]

Ok, I've got the frame work up now for the wall. This wall will have my tv and speakers on it, is it neccessary to put some sort of insultation before putting the boards up?

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

If sound proofing is the reason your doing this then yes.

[webslinger2k]

i'm going to be doing something similar soon - would also prefer not to plaster the plaster board - but i didnt think there was any getting away from it if you wanted a decent finish?

anyone else confirm? can you see joins in the pre-skimmed plaster board you can buy?

[Da_Rude_Baboon]

You can tape the joints and fill over the top which if done well with tapered boards leaves a seamless finish. Same with the screw holes (i would always screw in plasterboard, never nail it.) just fill over the top and sand.

[deansocial]

you need to use 2" acoustic rockwool minimum

[Woody26]

I've only got normal insulation as I cant afford rockwool

[deefadog]

My entire house (new build) is not skimmed, just plasterboard, the boards are tapered on the edges, which are then taped and skimmed, and the finish is flawless, i even have my projector projecting on to the walls with white reflective paint and it's great!