I'm putting beadboard halfway up the wall in a room, two walls of which are masonry. One of the masonry walls is an exterior wall that is double-thick brick (almost 16" deep!). The other is an interior wall (between townhouses) that is concrete block.

What is the best way to beadboard these surfaces? I came up with

1. Fir, then beadboard on firring strips
2. Drywall, then beadboard
3. Fir, then drywall, then beadboard
4. Some combination of the above + some sort of insulation

Drywall directly on the masonry seems like a moisture problem waiting to happen. Fir + beadboard seems like an insulation problem, although I have to say it's not a big concern given that the wall area in question is small (about 6x4) and the brick is really thick. Fir + drywall + beadboard might be an obvious good solution, but would end up being too thick unless I use really thin firring strips and/or really thin drywall.

If it matters, the beadboard is tongue & groove hardwood.

I'd be glad for any ideas or thoughts.

Thanks!

Fir, then drywall, then beadboard

Why? That will end up very thick.

How thick is the beadboard? Is it full 3/4" hardwood or variegated 1/4" plypanel? Emeril has it right.

Here is another thought, fir with rigid foam in between and then hardwood. You still need space for the electrical box extensions too. Or did those get bypassed? Nm:)

1/4", but not plypanel, hardwood t&g slats.

That might be more suitable. Is there a name for the kind of foam? I'm not sure what to look for.

I recently found out that 1/4" drywall is available. That might allow me to fir + drywall while still working within the tight tolerances (believe me, this area needs every inch of space).

No electrical on those walls, but thanks for asking.

There are many brands of different types available. Two that I have used in the past are TECHNIFOAM and CELLOTEX. Make sure they have moisture barrier features or there are sealers that can be used to accomplish the same thing. Nm

1 Its not that thick
2 use plastic sheet over outside masonry first as vapor berrior
3 3/4" furring
4 cheep whit insulation comes in 14 1/2" wide to giv a 16 ‘ on center lay out
5 1/2" drywall
6 1/4" t&g
7 get r done:)