Wall linings - Want an alternative to plasterboard?

It is often the case when choosing building materials that there will be a compromise between choosing what is best for the environment and what you can afford.

The name for the material most commonly used to line the walls and ceilings of timber framed or metal framed houses differs around the world.
In north America it is drywall, in other countries, plasterboard, wallboard, gypsum board, etc. It may also be referred to by the name of the manufacturer, e.g., Sheetrock or Gyprock.

For my purposes I am going to call it plasterboard because it is manufactured by rolling gypsum plaster, (basically wet calcium sulfate) between two sheets of paper. Plasterboard is a very versatile and useful material and I am sure it will continue to be manufactured and widely used for many years.
Plasterboard is however neither sustainable nor environmentally friendly. Calcium sulfate has to be quarried or mined as gypsum or anhydrite, or otherwise manufactured.

When plasterboard is used in construction, boards have to be cut to fit as required so there is a lot of waste which ends up in landfill. Demolition or renovation of buildings containing plasterboard also adds to landfill.
You can't recycle plasterboard.

One alternative is known as VJ Paneling.

A company called Masterline use medium density fibreboard (MDF) to make panels with the traditional VJ profile.

MDF is made from plantation timber and so as a sustainable choice it is preferable to plasterboard. Working with MDF requires that you wear a suitable mask as the dust produced when cutting MDF is very fine and contains chemicals which could cause respiratory problems if inhaled.

A better alternative in my opinion is VY paneling made using plywood.

This is the product used by a company called SALA Homes, who are very serious about sustainability. They say
"SALA provides homes which significantly reduce your power and water consumption with minimal cost to you and to the environment. They are made of quality sustainable building materials, yet are initially affordable and will save you money in the long term".

Of course not everyone is going to like the look of VJ over the look of plasterboard.

And plasterboard will probably be cheaper to buy than alternative wall linings.

Plasterboard would be my choice for ceilings.

I would choose VJ ply for walls.

You pays your money and you takes your choice.