I'm in the process of replacing my siding, and I've discovered that on one side of my house, there's drywall installed directly behind it, which is quite unusual since there are no windows or doors on that wall. Given this situation, I'm wondering if it's worth spending an extra ~$6,000 to replace all that drywall with plywood, or if I could just go ahead and put housewrap and insulation board over the existing drywall instead. What do you think?
2 Answers
That's definitely an interesting find! Drywall is usually not meant for exterior use since it doesn't hold up well to moisture. If it's been exposed, it could be damaged. Plywood or OSB is normally preferred due to their structural integrity. I would recommend checking the condition of the drywall before making a choice.
From what I’ve seen, using plywood or OSB offers better moisture resistance and structural strength compared to drywall. If there's any sign of damage, it'd be safer to replace it. But if you're in an area where some lightweight materials are allowed and the drywall’s in good shape, you might get away with just using housewrap over it. It's a tricky decision!