Shiplap in bathroom remodel

[LimaDon]

Fellow Stachies,

Saving loads of cash by tackling a 1970's bathroom remodel. The Mrs. is hot on shiplap thanks to HGTV (non-cable viewing of course.)

Does anyone have any experience with this? I want to ensure that the wood doesn't warp with the humidity potential from the shower. Seems like Poplar is a popular choice. I'm going straight to studs (no drywall underneath).

Should I add a vapor barrier before nailing straight to the studs? I've also read to paint all sides of the wood to alleviate moisture issues.

Any wisdom?

Much appreciated!
Don

[lthenderson]

I don't have any experience with shiplap but I definitely wouldn't use it in the shower area. For the rest of the bathroom, it might be okay but like you mentioned, I would seal it either with a polyurethane or paint on all sides. Do you have a vapor barrier underneath your siding assuming you are talking about an exterior wall? If you do, adding another vapor barrier can lead to mold problems. You never want two vapor barriers with something in-between. If you don't, I would put up a vapor barrier especially in a bathroom environment to protect your insulation, especially as the wood ages and/if shrinks.

[Lulee]

If you come up with a design that features blue board and proper ventilation sans her beloved shiplap in order to avoid mold and warpage issues and stress for you working with a material that’s new to you, you could salvage things by offering to do a feature wall of shiplap somewhere else in the house like the Gaines do for a number of their customers.  As Chip says, “If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!”.