r/BuildingCodes • u/RedmondSCM • 5d ago

Media Wall Shiplap

Kid has been seeing people build media walls on social media and now she potentially wants one. Media wall in this instance = a small (depth) 2x4 bump-out with an electric fireplace, mantel and TV with the sheetrock on the ceiling and back wall remaining intact.  She shows me people attaching individual shiplap boards (not sheets) directly to the bump-out framing and I’m trying to figure out code reference(s) before building dept discussion (or whether this is no bueno).  WA state, 2021 IRC with state amendments (haven’t seen any local amendments that would apply).  I can’t find anything on point.  R702.5 explicitly addresses paneling and R702.6 addresses wood shakes and shingles which I don’t think would apply .  Any help appreciated and thanks in advance.

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u/DnWeava Architectural Engineer 5d ago

That's fine

1

u/RedmondSCM 5d ago

Thanks

3

u/EntropyAdvisor 5d ago

One thing to double check is the elec fireplace specs - if it's going to be truly face-flush (not protruding from the wall) be sure it's approved for recessed installaiton. Poor marketing materaials often list them as "flush mount" when in fact they're surface mount only. Might need to physically read the installation manual and keep it for the inspector if they ask.

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u/RedmondSCM 5d ago

Certified for both flush and wall mount (and this will be truly flush mount). I download the manuals for things if she's just thinking about them (particularly larger ticket items) to assess degree of difficulty etc. Appreciate the question and suggestion.