Covering blockwork before wallpapering

[Tony K]

Evening all.

I have a small under-stairs WC I will soon decorate.

Two walls are exposed blockwork, two are studwork (including the housing for a pocket door).

I plan to create panelling around the lower 90cm on all four sides, probably out of MDF. 

The top part of the walls will be wallpapered. 

 

I need to use some sort of board on the top parts to enclose the studs and the block, and so that I can wallpaper. 

 

Obviously, plasterboard is the norm, but I have doubts. I will be building the bottom parts of the walls out of MDF anyway, and the top parts will be papered over, so the use of PB seems unnecessary and perhaps unhelpful if I need to peel off the wallpaper in future. 

 

I have considered using hardboard on the upper portions. That will be fine for the stud walls, and I see no obvious reason not to screw the hardboard to the block walls and then wallpaper over it later. 

 

Am I missing anything?!

 

Anyone got any better suggestions?!

 

Thanks!

Edited February 27 by Tony K

[MikeGrahamT21]

I’d think plywood would be the best option, stable and won’t suck the moisture out of the wallpaper paste as fast as MDF. Hardboard goes bendy the second you look it so probably not ideal for putting paste on either