Ethernaut85
Member
Long time lurker, tried to find a good answer to this question but I can't find a definite answer, and also looking for opinions.
I have a 3 car attached garage that is on the same level as my walkout basement. Above the garage is conditioned living space with a kitchen and bathrooms. Currently, my garage is unfinished, with cinderblock walls on the exterior that are underground, and partially covered walls sharing the interior side leading into the basement.
My original plan was placing 1/2" plywood on the walls, sanding, caulking and painting it to make it look presentable. This had been started on the wall with the door when the house was purchased. Then I would put a drop ceiling everywhere possible in order to give the garage a finished look.
However, when I started to do some research, it appears that 5/8 drywall should have been placed on the ceiling from the beginning and taped and mudded to provide a fireblock and airseal the garage from the living space. The same thing should have been done to the walls sharing the basement.
I'm not really comfortable enclosing all the plumbing, gas and electrical, etc in drywall. It would prevent me from having any access in the future in the event of leaks, changes, maintence, etc. In addition, any chase that I would build around the HVAC returns would be very low, preventing being able to park vehicles in some areas. How do you guys recommend handing this project? I still have some outlets and other electrical work to run before buttoning up everything.
I've attached some pictures of the garage ceiling and the shared wall as it is right now. Everything is a mess as we are doing some renovations in other areas of the house as well.
I have a 3 car attached garage that is on the same level as my walkout basement. Above the garage is conditioned living space with a kitchen and bathrooms. Currently, my garage is unfinished, with cinderblock walls on the exterior that are underground, and partially covered walls sharing the interior side leading into the basement.
My original plan was placing 1/2" plywood on the walls, sanding, caulking and painting it to make it look presentable. This had been started on the wall with the door when the house was purchased. Then I would put a drop ceiling everywhere possible in order to give the garage a finished look.
However, when I started to do some research, it appears that 5/8 drywall should have been placed on the ceiling from the beginning and taped and mudded to provide a fireblock and airseal the garage from the living space. The same thing should have been done to the walls sharing the basement.
I'm not really comfortable enclosing all the plumbing, gas and electrical, etc in drywall. It would prevent me from having any access in the future in the event of leaks, changes, maintence, etc. In addition, any chase that I would build around the HVAC returns would be very low, preventing being able to park vehicles in some areas. How do you guys recommend handing this project? I still have some outlets and other electrical work to run before buttoning up everything.
I've attached some pictures of the garage ceiling and the shared wall as it is right now. Everything is a mess as we are doing some renovations in other areas of the house as well.