Painting - Masonite siding inside the home

We have a "problem add-on." We just had a structural engineer evaluate the situation today and he said that most likely the soil was not compacted prior to pouring the concrete slab. He suggested we just have the room leveled one more time by our foundation company, and then just live with the cracks.

We really don't like seeing these unsightly cracks in the drywall, so we are thinking about paneling, which we really don't care for either.

QUESTIONS:
1.) Can masonite siding be used indoors? Are there any environmental issues that would prevent it?
2.) Will masonite, either the right side or the wrong side hold texture? And paint?

Thanks....

I used masonite siding [it was leftover from a job I was painting] in a sun room in the place I used to have in fla. The two main reasons I used it was it was tough enough to withstand my 2 young sons and it was free:D

Masonite paints well. If moisture is a problem [like outside] it must be coated with an oil base primer but inside latex should be fine. The masonite still looked new with a fresh paint job when I sold the place 6-7 yrs later.

I don't know if there are any enviromental issues.... and IMO it wouldn't be a good idea to texture it.

Not sure I'd eant to cover up the cracks right away, they are a good indicator of further movement, which you'd likely want to know about. Masonite siding I've seen has been primed all the way around, if yours isn't I'd prime it, then you can do any texturing you want on either side. Have you looked into vinyl wallcovering, you can buy it in many textures and thicknesses, and it will also hide the cracks....

Bill

Thanks a lot for your replies. This gives us something to consider.