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I'm diy-ing on an 80-year old+ house, putting drywall over damaged lath and plaster (can't save the plaster because reasons).

The wood lath is too weak/damaged to serve as effective backing, so I'm trying to nail off only to studs. Problem is, they're 17-19" on center

So, should I cut the drywall down so the edges of each piece are on the studs like new construction? Or can I nail off with edges off-center?

The plan is a thick skimcoat and maybe a knife finish to try to get back a little of the plaster charm, but I'm afraid of the taped seams cracking.

Mazura
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willoller
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4 Answers4

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The edges of your drywall pieces must be on studs - at least two of them and preferentially all four. (some drywall guys will vastly disagree with needing 4 so not trying to start a war)

But two is a must. Your drywall should end on stud or be butted up in the center with another piece of drywall. Either cut your drywall or add more studs. There is absolutely nothing wrong with 17-19" on center which sounds like about 3 studs per sheet. I have run into this with old houses. Just buy 15 2x4s and throw them up where you need them.

DMoore
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5

I generally agree with DMoore about butt joints needing to be on studs, but the reason is simply that you need to keep the two sheets from moving with respect to each other. For that reason, you could probably butt join over just the lath. If you can hit enough solid lath with drywall screws to securely anchor the sheet ends together, you probably won't have issues.

As evidence of the viability of this claim, take the floating seam technique some tapers use to achieve very flat butt seams for smooth-finish walls. Thin backing is floated under the seams, tying the sheets together.

All that said, it's a fairly quick thing to zip an end off a sheet at the stud. It might ad 10% to your labor, all told. I'd do that before I'd add studs (especially since you have plaster in the way).

isherwood
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In addition to what DMoore said, you might also think about installing your drywall sheets horizontally. With odd stud spacing, this will mean fewer and shorter (4' vs 8') cuts.

I don't have all the info about your particular situation, but I would heartily recommend removing the existing lath and plaster and install the drywall directly to the studs.

JS.
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0

All good answers but the best answer falls to number 0 or JS. I worked for years in fire restoration of old old homes that were almost always lath and plaster. Because our mud professional was extremely good at his job (it is very important to have a real expert professional who knows what he or she is doing with the new mud) we would always save time and money by tearing out the old and replacing where needed with new studs and new rock.

If your "muddy buddy" is a true professional you will have no problem tying the new wall into old walls depending on what your buildings plans call for.

JJO
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