Yes. Walls are drywall
Material with stops rather than a floated wall is called VOG.
Walking into a home, especially an older manufactured one, you might notice something a little different about the walls. They might not feel or look quite like the smooth, seamless drywall you're used to. Chances are, you've encountered VOG walls – short for Vinyl Over Gypsum. I remember first seeing them and thinking, "Is this just really old drywall?" but soon learned there's a distinct difference. So, what exactly is VOG? At its core, it's a type of wall paneling made from a thin layer of vinyl laminated onto a gypsum board. Think of it like a wallpaper-covered drywall, but the vinyl is factory-applied. Unlike traditional drywall that's taped and mudded to create a smooth, continuous surface, VOG comes in pre-finished panels. This is where the 'stops' or battens mentioned in the original article come in. Instead of floating seams with joint compound, VOG panels are often installed with decorative strips covering the gaps, creating a paneled look rather than a seamless one. How does this differ from standard drywall? Drywall, also known as plasterboard or gypsum board, is a simple panel made of gypsum plaster pressed between two sheets of thick paper. It’s installed, taped, mudded, sanded, and then painted. It offers a smooth, customizable surface. VOG, on the other hand, is designed for quick installation and has a pre-finished surface, meaning no painting is required after installation. The aesthetic is usually a patterned or textured vinyl finish, which can sometimes look dated compared to the versatility of painted drywall. Identifying VOG walls in your home is usually quite straightforward. First, look for those characteristic 'stops' or battens – thin strips of wood or plastic that cover the seams where two panels meet. If your walls have these, it's a strong indicator. Also, try tapping on the wall; VOG panels often have a slightly different, perhaps more hollow, sound compared to a fully finished drywall section. You might also notice the specific size of the panels, which are typically smaller than standard drywall sheets. The vinyl surface itself might also give it away, sometimes showing texture or a repeating pattern that you wouldn't find on painted drywall. While VOG can be durable and easy to clean due to its vinyl surface, repairing it can be trickier than drywall. If a section gets damaged, patching it seamlessly to match the existing vinyl pattern can be a challenge. Often, the solution involves covering the damaged area with another decorative element or replacing an entire panel if you can find a matching one. Understanding what type of walls you have, whether it's VOG or traditional drywall, is the first step in planning any home renovation or repair projects!
