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2018 National Home Improvement Estimator, All Rights Reserved Page 228

2. Install furring strips as a base for new wall cover, or apply new wall and ceiling cover directly over the
old. This option works when the existing surface is flat and firm. I don’t generally recommend this, as
the wall will be significantly thicker, requiring moldings and casings to be redone, and new trim around
wall penetrations. Plus, setting furring strips requires a great deal of work, and can result in an inferior
job. Generally it’s easier to tear off the existing wall cover and replace it, but you may come across a
situation where this may be the best choice – perhaps when it’s just one wall in a room and there are no
openings. It’s a lot less messy.

If new wall cover is going to be nailed over old or set on furring strips, the first step will be finding the
studs. They’re usually installed 16” on center and at the edge of doors and windows. Where you see a
nail head in drywall or baseboard, assume there’s a stud under the nail. If stud locations aren’t obvious,
put a stud finder to work. Stud finders locate dense material in the wall cavity – usually a stud. Mark the
center of each stud at the top and bottom of the wall. Then snap a chalk line between the two marks.

Check walls for flatness by holding the straight side of a 2 x 4 against the surface. Furring will correct a
bulging or indented wall. Mark wall locations that are uneven. Also check for true vertical alignment by
holding a large carpenter’s level against a straight 2 x 4 held against the wall. Use shingles to shim out
furring and create a flat, vertical surface. See Figure 10-01.

Figure 10-02 shows 1” x 2” furring strips set 16” on center. Nail the furring at each stud. Remove
existing base trim, window casings, and door casings. Apply furring around all the openings. Be sure
there will be a vertical furring strip under each vertical joint in the new wall cover.

3. Your third choice for renewing wall and ceiling cover is to strip off what’s covering the studs and joists
and start over. The result is a wall or ceiling that’s as good as new. In fact, it is new. This is by far the
best option for seriously damaged walls, although stripping off the existing wall covering is messy, and it
creates a disposal problem.

Before applying the new wall cover, be sure studs are aligned. Run a string across the front of the studs,
holding it taught. The studs should all touch the string equally. Those that don’t touch the string, or
push the string out, are out of line with the rest and need to be re-aligned or replaced.

Minimum Material Thickness for
On Center Spacing of Studs and Joists

Material 16" OC 24" OC
Drywall 3/8" 1/2"
Plywood Paneling 1/4" 3/8"
Hardboard Paneling 1/4" --
Tongue & Groove Plank 3/8" 1/2"

Note 1. New wall cover set with nails or adhesive directly on existing wall cover can be any thickness
because it’s supported continuously on the existing surface.
Note 2. 1/4” plywood or hardboard set on framing members 16” on center may be slightly wavy unless
applied over at least 3/8” drywall.

Hanging Drywall