What material is used on the walls in Denver homes? (apartment, condo)

[shenobi]

My husband and I are from Northern Virginia and we recently visited Denver. We are looking to relocate and looked at homes in the Denver area. We noticed that the walls are made of different material than what we are used to; drywall. When we knocked on the walls, it sounded 'thinner'. Like it's made out of some type of plastic material?

Anyone know what material the walls are made from and why this is used instead? Thanks!

[maciesmom]

Where were you looking and what was the age of the homes? I've lived here for quite awhile and looked at a lot of homes over the years. As far as I've seen, newer homes have standard drywall...

[Brian_M]

Our walls are made from acluistic... it's Really popular in Colorado (but only Colorado, for some reason it only works at this elevation and humidity levels).






But seriously, walls of a given age property are made with the exact same materials from one coast of this country to the other. Plaster fell out of favor during WWII, so before then and it was likely plaster walls (anywhere in the country), after that and it was likely drywall.

[JohnHAdams]

Originally Posted by Brian_M

Our walls are made from acluistic... it's Really popular in Colorado (but only Colorado, for some reason it only works at this elevation and humidity levels).






But seriously, walls of a given age property are made with the exact same materials from one coast of this country to the other. Plaster fell out of favor during WWII, so before then and it was likely plaster walls (anywhere in the country), after that and it was likely drywall.

I have heard of plaster being used in 50's homes. Properly done, it can be quite artistic I guess.

[mczabe]

Walls here actually took quite a bit of getting used to, although I've since learned you find this type of wall in other parts of the country as well. The underlying surface is the same (as far as I know) but all the walls - ALL the walls - are then texturized. There are no smooth walls in Colorado. They are all bumpy. I have no idea why this is so. Apparently, it's an extra step at least and extra cost.

Never noticed they were any thinner; they seem thicker if anything to me. But the bumps are really quite distracting for newbees from the east.

[BarryK123]

I live in a condo built 3-4 years ago and it looks like the same drywall that was used in my house in PA built in 1990. The only thing I don't like about it is the steel studs in the walls, but I presume that's because this is a mixed use (commercial on the first floor) building.

[tfox]

Practically any home built before the 1960s would use plaster. Is that what you're referring to?

[choosing78]

I think it's just the texture. It was something we noticed right away. I don't think I've seen an apartment or house in Colorado without it. Someone told me it actually isn't extra work it just makes it easier to hide tape lines in the drywall.

[blobbin]

Texture is common in any house built in the past 20 years. I think you are must dating yourself.

[bhcompy]

Texture is common in any home that wasn't originally paneled or wallpapered.