Solid wood planks offer an alternative to wallboard.
While gypsum wallboard, also called drywall, is by far the most popular interior wall covering, there are plenty of lesser-known, yet sturdy and attractive options. A range of traditional and modern materials serve as wallboard substitutes, including wood, masonry and synthetic materials. Become familiar with wallboard alternatives and choose the one that's right for your project.
Tile Board
For areas exposed to moisture, such as bathrooms, tile board offers a relatively inexpensive alternative to water-resistant drywall. Tile board is typically a base of medium density fiberboard (MDF) covered on one side with a waterproof coating, such as melamine. The coating is often molded to resemble square bathroom tiles, thus the name tile board. Builders use tile board to create shower enclosure and, if properly installed, it provides a long-lasting, waterproof wall covering.
Plywood paneling
Finish-grade plywood panels imitate the appearance of solid, hardwood wall coverings. Plywood paneling is available in the same size as the average sheet of wallboard, 4 by 8 feet. Grooves run across the surface of this material's exposed side. Vertical grooves make the sheet look like a tongue and groove siding, whereas horizontal grooves give the impression of wainscoting. The surface of plywood paneling is usually pre-finished with stain and clear coat.
Solid Wood
While a solid wood wall-covering is more costly and labor intensive than sheet goods, it offers greater durability and a traditional, luxurious appearance. Solid wood wall-coverings are typically made of interlocking, hardwood boards called tongue and groove (T&G). The boards may be installed vertically to visually enhance the rooms height or horizontally to augment the room's width. Pine is generally the least expensive solid wood used for interior wall-coverings, while mahogany ranks among the most expensive.
Plaster
With the advent of gypsum wallboard, traditional plaster and lathe construction declined in popularity. Although plaster and lath requires more labor and materials than wallboard, the finished product is extremely durable; a plastered surface is essentially a thin wall of cement. Additionally, a skilled plasterer can use specialized trowels to apply integral textures into the wall's surface. Textured plaster's appearance is often reminiscent of Mediterranean, medieval post and beam or traditional wattle and daub structures.
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