We've removed damaged drywall on our bathroom walls, and would like the walls to be thin tongue-and-groove planks. Is anything material except the tongue and groove required on the studs?
Drywall Under Tongue and Groove
tongue-and-groove
Related Solutions
If you really want to try to save the plank, BMitch's instructions for removal are spot on but instead of a circular saw, get yourself one of these babies:
The square blade shown here will give you clean end cuts, and for your long run, this blade will be your friend:
You'll get very straight, TIGHT cut lines along the seams, be practically invisible when all is back in place.
Don't worry about making new tabs or grooves. Just cut the offending tabs off. For the planks on the floor, use a sharp chisel. For the new boards, cut them on a chop saw. You want the two mating faces to be as perfectly square as possible, otherwise you will end up with a gap or one board riding up over the top of the other.
In places where you still have underlayment, a belt sander with a rough grit will take care of that in seconds. Make sure you have a shop vac hooked up to the sander!
Also, try not to have two planks next to each other where you have cut off the side and the end tab. This could lead to buckling. Provided you plan ahead on your installation pattern, this should be achievable.
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Best Answer
You should be careful in your choice of wall paneling material and its preparation. Not all T&G planks are suitable for walls period, and fewer still are suitable for bathrooms. Ensure your planks are sealed on all sides to minimize risk of warping.
For more flexibility, install a standard drywall wall surface. Then you can attach decorative paneling over that without compromising critical functions of the wall.