[ex-Khobar Andy]

I have about 800 sq ft upstairs in my 1940s house which has never been finished. Look up and there's the roof. The 800 sf has 8ft or more headroom. I am thinking of an 'owner's suite' - bedroom, library and bathroom. Any reasonable estimate of 2x4 is about 200 pieces and 100 pieces of drywall. 2 x 4s I can pass up through the window from outside and my wife and I could probably do it in a couple of hours at most. But drywall I will have to carry sheet by sheet through the house and up the stairs. That will take me many hours and I'll have to cope with weather and protecting a pile of sheets and all the rest. A major major undertaking.



Although plaster is heavy it's much more doable from the pov of getting it up the stairs. I can do drywall adequately (if slowly) but I'd have to get a professional into to do the plaster. Firstly can anyone give me a very loose ballpark figure for what I am talking about in terms of $: 800 sf ceiling and possibly 300 linear feet (counting both sides) vertical wall. Secondly what is the backing material for plaster? I am assuming we don't use lath any more but anything is better than carrying 4 x 8 sheets up those #$%^&*( stairs.

 

[ClarenceBauer]

As for getting your drywall 4 X 8 sheets into the attic.
(1) If you have an opening that a sheet will fit through purchase the drywall from a drywall supply house that has boom truck delivery they will boom it in & off load it for you.
(2) Hire two day labors from your local labor pool for around $480.00 max. have them carry it in for you.
To replace the drywall with Plaster over Metal Lath, based on your 100 sheets converted to plaster three coat smooth white finish. Based on my 2002 Construction Cost Data book. To include Cost Modifiers for your nearest Metropolitan Area, Louisville , Memphis & Nashville a very low cost for Plaster = $ 21,510.00 Max cost for plaster = $30,240.00.
Pay the day labor & stick with your drywall.

 

[ront02769]

If you have windows, and as suggested buy from a local real lumber yard, they will send a boom truck and driver....and a couple of other guys. They will take out the window sashes, put a heavy duty protective plastic insert in and boom the rock in, put it on dollys, wheel it to the rooms that you want it in, unload it, replace the window and be on their way. As to the finish, Most all in New England use imperial board with a skim coat of veneer plaster. One day to hang the board, one day to tape and skim coat, let it dry for a couple of days and paint, no sanding needed. Very hard finish....and a great replacement for the old lathe, brow Ncoat, base coat, finish coat deal.

 

[mark sr]

I don't see anything wrong with drywall for the 2nd floor although plaster veneer is superior. Are the floor joists adequate to turn it into living space?