Walls and Ceilings - Bedroom wall/ceiling question

Hi all, I'm planning to redo our spare bedroom and I'm not sure how or whether to proceed. Our 2-story house is fairly old (about 80 years) and the spare bedroom and kitchen below are part of an extension (i.e. outside the basement perimeter). Although we have central air/heat, the kitchen tends to be cold in the winter, though the bedroom is not as bad. The bedroom currently has both a drop ceiling and paneling, the only room in the house that has paneling. I've always wanted to tear down the paneling and drop ceiling and paint the walls, but after investigating yesterday I discovered that there is a thin (~ 1/2 inch) layer of insulation above the ceiling panels and between the paneling and wall. Knowing that this room was used by the previous owners' two small children, I have a feeling that the insulation was installed to keep the room warmer in the winter for the kids. So, my issue is that I still want to take down the paneling and ceiling, but I also don't want the room to be uncomfortably cold in winter either. Any suggestions? Would drywall be an option?

Thanks,
Steve

Drywall is always an option. It's what most people use when they remove paneling but you have to paint drywall & you never have to touch paneling, except to dust it.

I have a bedroom with paneling that's an extension. It seems colder than the rest of the house. I can't remember if it's insulated. Installing insulation would be the only reason that I would remove the paneling. I can't see creating so much work for myself otherwise.

I doubt you can make either room warmer by just installing drywall. It would make more sense to gut the room and insulate. You could also update any wiring while it's opened up. I don't know how much the ceiling foam helps but I wouldn't remove it unless I was ready to insulate better.


almost forgot :o welcome to the forums!