I'm debating pulling out the old and replacing it for several reasons, just to let you know I am new home improvements as this is our first house. I'm posting here to either have you all talk me out of it becuase it will be way to much work or too difficult for an amatuer or for you all to inspire me and give me the advise I need to get it done! Here is the background I'm working with on the house.. It was built in 1971, it has two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs/ two bedrooms two baths the kitchen dining room and living room downstairs. Every room has tile so I am literally looking to work from the top down. Ok my reasons for replacing the drywall are: 1.Check and possibly replace insulation 2.replace windows with double pane 3.while the walls are open I wanted to get cable and phone lines run to the rooms. 4. while the walls are open I wanted to get a thermostat added upstairs (the upstairs gets way to hot while the rest of the house is way to cold and vise versa during summer) 5. some of the walls look slightly bowed around the windows in room here and there. 6.it sounds easier than scraping off the popcorn from the sealings to get it smooth. 7. it would give me a good opportunity to have an electrician come and check the wiring to make sure I can add recessed lighting as mentioned in another post some require wiring that would not already be in my house. 8.it would give me a chance to have the plumbing checked throughout the house. 9. I'm looking to move my back door a full 90 Degrees so that wall needs to be redone for sure and I'm looking to remove the back door from the master bedroom and replace it with a half wall and window! Like I said if anyone else can think of any way to get all this done without ripping out a lot of drywall and replacing it please let me know I know the drywall around the windows will probably be replaced. We apprecial all feedback!! C&S

Low down: Major home remodel starting with bath. Planning drywall for bath and other areas. Learning as I go from books and forums like this one, but books never give enough details to have the full story. I had planned to use greenboard for all walls and ceiling in my small (7x9) bathroom (books say to use anywhere there's high humidity). Local lumber yards carry greenboard in 1/2" only. I had wanted to use 5/8" on everything, especially the ceiling 'cause I was getting some unclear info on using 1/2" greenboard for the ceiling. Is 1/2" ok if ceiling joists are 16" OC? Or is just regular drywall better for the ceiling? What about the ceiling in the tub/shower alcove where it will be really steamy? The tub/shower alcove will be cement backer board with tile, by the way. Last question: I also planned to use greenboard in my laundry room (walls and ceiling) for same reasons as above (according to book info). Is that a good plan? I know it's a slightly higher cost, which I'm fine with if it's better. The project is small so the overall higher cost is teeny. And one important bit of info is that I'm trying to do my work above minimum standards. For instance I'm using 5/8" regular drywall throughout the house in other areas instead of the standard 1/2" that's used locally. Any help would be great. I've ordered, but not yet taken delivery of a bunch of greenboard and regular drywall, but may need to swap out some regular for the greenboard if I've planned incorrectly.