Alternatives to drywall
 

I am finishing my basement...going for an English pub look with pool table, bar, etc. I have all the furring strips up and I don't want to put cheesy panelling up and drywall is to much work..

any suggestions (it has to paintable)

Thanks in advance

you might try OSB strand board--it looks like pressed chip board and runs about $6 a sheet.
Try putting it up side ways instead of up and down--if your walls are 8 foot or less you will have one seam in the middle,
that you can cover with chair rail.
If you want to paint it, it might not looks so great, but if you like
the natural wood look, just put a good sealer on it.

try a couple of pieces first---if the room is very big it may be to much wood...if you live in a northern zone I would definetly put
insulation in the walls first--and LOTS of outlets.

hmm.. If you want it to look like an english pub, and you're in the basement, you probably will have to use some kind of 'cheesey paneling' or drywall. Most home improvement stores carry strips of oak meant to go on the wall as wainscoting. I think that looks kinda cool!

http://www.ebuild.com has some good ideas for wallcoverings

Sounds like you want the look w/o the cost of a veneer plywood. I would strongly recommend the GP brand beadboard paneling that looks a lot lit the 'real' wainscoting. Takes gel stain pretty well and primes/paints like a dream.

I hate the 'paneling' more than anyone else, but this stuff is great, easy to apply, and is priced right (+ is readily available.)

I have to agree with apetaster, if you are not going to spring for the real deal, beadboard is an excellent alt.

beadboard
 

yup...thats what i was looking at over at Lowes this weekend...i think you guys are right. I just don't want to screw with all of the prep work with the dry wall.


So we'll have wainscot from floor to ceiling...may look pretty good.

Next decision....7,8, or 9 ft pool table.

oh ya thanks for that ebuild site...pretty good stuff there.

Good luck

OSB is great if you really like glue fumes.

i'd go with the 9ft pool table

00

Damn its more of a $ thing..I wanted to keep it under $1000. Thinking about a used slate table from around town.

I love wainscotting. My old house (an 1895 queen ann) had a lot.

Although it was A LOT of work (old houses are), I'll miss that place.

That being said, I may never buy an old house again. I may build a new 'old' house, but then again, never say never.

Post a pic of your project, bro.

Oh, yeah, bead board is pricy. That's why people use sheet rock :)

I'd go with a nice used snooker table myself.

I'll post a pic when I am finished

I am almost there folks.....I found some "paintable 4x8 bead board at Lowes...the stuff is really nice and only $16/board.....pics soon....btw....my buddy gave me a brass Guiness tap for motivation to get my bar done.