Drywall question

[John_M]

Is there any reason to be concerned about using drywall in a cabin that will be unheated over winter (when we are not there)?  It will basically be closed down for 3 months or so.   

I could see in the future maybe going there more in the winter though?

[MountainDon]

We have srywall in our 15.75x30 cabin. There's only been one winter since installation, but no problems at this point. We have also put it through several stress tests over the past winter with going up when the temperature was in the teens and heating it up to 70+ inside and then leaving after 2-3 days.

It would be good to hear of more experiences.

FWIW, we used 5/8" drywall.

[Woodswalker]

I lived in MN for many years, where the winter temp often dips to -20 or more, and don't recall ever hearing of problems with drywall related to the weather.

My cabin in NE WA, where the temp can get that cold too, has been through a winter with no drywall problems.  If a place is insulated properly, drywall is a good interior surface because it is heavy, and therefore has lots of thermal mass.  It can absorb considerable heat, and will then gradually radiate it back into the living space as the area cools (i.e. at night).  Have heard of folks using all 5/8's rock, like Don did, and even installing two layers of rock, to gain more mass.

Structure settling and moisture problems are much more likely to cause drywall problems than cold weather.

[bayview]

   I have a couple of higher end customers that have drywall in their garages . . . Including chair rail, a/c, heat, indoor-outdoor carpet, tile, big-screen TVs, bars, etc.  Garage doors are open and closed all seasons . . .   The drywall seems to be holding out OK.

   A friend has a restaurant where the drywall tape is coming off all over the ceiling . . .  Moisture problems.


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