"Best" Garage Interior Wall Covering

[buildone]

Hi,

I'm sure discussion on this must be included in a number of build threads, but I have tried searching every way I can and haven't come up with anything.

I am building a new 32 X 32 Post Frame shop/garage, and was wondering what opinions everyone had as to how to finish the interior walls?

Thanks for your help!

 

[77thor]

Wow... there will be lots of different opinions on this one.


I prefer drywall.

 

[crab]

Put what you think looks good on most of it, I prefer drywall except behind the work bench's. You need something that can be wiped off easily there, drill press, grinder, etc. can sling a lot of stuff on the wall.

 

[jgorm]

3/4" plywood

 

[LX-Markham]

Wow... there will be lots of different opinions on this one.

Because it's so vague. What does "best" mean?
Price?
Looks?
Durability?

My vote also is for drywall.

 

[nh_yota]

Plywood or drywall covered with FRP.

 

[Brian80]

My original plan was to hang and finish drywall. However patching holes when carts and equipment punch through will get old. So I decided on 7/16"x4'x10' sheets of OSB. check out my garage thread page and decide for yourself

 

[bdamico]

I assume you did a search for "walls" in title only, which brings up many threads about different what to use for interior walls, whether it be OSB, FRP, drywall, plywood, sheet metal, etc.

 

[cdestuck]

I did the OSB on my walls and never regretted my decision. I took my time and butted the seams tight and cut the outlets and switch holes precise. Primed it real well and then topped coated it with semi gloss off white paint. Bought inespensive NOVAPLY and ripped it to width for my trim and sills

 

[Coyote556]

26ga exterior barn metal is my vote

 

[Jsf721]

I'd vote for gladiator gearwall if you can swing the budget. I've been adding slowly. Im actually looking to get more and use it for work but it just so expensive it not for every customer

 

[stimpy]

we have to abide by code which is 5/8 x board drywall , to keep the drywall protected I have a 4' chair wall panel ( cheap paneling ) around the room and melamine panels behind the bench

 

[rshadd]

Fire code states that walls a joining the house need to be fire-rated drywall. My exterior walls are 3/4" plywood.

 

[finn]

My garage is drywall with a white steel ceiling. I like the look of the drywall, but I'm adding galvanized steel, slowly, to the bottom six feet, as it's easier to keep clean and works better when grinding.

My shop, on the other hand, has painted osb on the lower 8', with white steel on the upper 8' and ceiling.

The painted osb looks like ****, but is utilitarian. I'm uncomfortable welding and grinding near it and it's hard to keep clean, even with gloss paint.

 

[matt_i]

The best, by far, is force-field. But, its expensive and has a fractional refresh rate.

 

[JonnyMac]

Impact resistant plaster board..
Much like fire resistant (which it is) but its super tough. Just slightly more expensive than fire resistant..

 

[rburke65]

I'm inclined to prefer Stainless steel.

 

[coljar]

I've got commercial slatwall and Smartsiding on the inside walls and it has worked out well.

 

[DougWil]

White ribbed steel run vertically.

Great light reflection.
Easily washed.
Easily removed to add wiring etc.... or replace if damaged.
Fire proof/resistant from welding sparks, grinding.
Air and vapor barrier all in one.

Downside, it isn't cheap especially the trim and it is time consuming to install without big gaps around outlets and other penetrations. Plus lining up the screws so it doesn't look like a 4 year old put them in.

 

[Cmanz28]

Plywood backer with FRP over it is by far the best I have ever had/seen! Hence why I'm doing my lower 8' in my shop with it!!!!

 

[buildone]

Thank you very much for all the replies, guys! I appreciate you taking the time!

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Storage and tools...

Tommy

 

[risc]

Storage and tools...

Tommy

No doubt, there's so little wall visible in my 2-car it hardly matters.

 

[Kevin54]

This has been argued about just as much as PVC airlines. There are probably 20 different threads about it on here and some rather lengthy.

My garage is all drywall btw.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you are using drywall in a typical unheated garage, you really should use "moisture resistant" (green) drywall.

 

[finn]

This has been argued about just as much as PVC airlines. There are probably 20 different threads about it on here and some rather lengthy.

My garage is all drywall btw.

But most of the wall covering alternatives are relatively safe.

 

[RAYJAY]

I've got commercial slatwall and Smartsiding on the inside walls and it has worked out well.

x2 on the smart siding

 

[lakeroadster]

I too used LP Smartsiding.. http://www.homedepot.com/p/48-in-x-...7;jsessionid=42DDC8B2172658865801CCE7F77417F2

• it's sturdy enough to simply nail right to the studs,
• tongue and groove design = no seams with no effort
• pre-finished wood grain appearance, you don't even have to paint it
• durable finish, stains just wipe right off.

 

[Kevin54]

But most of the wall covering alternatives are relatively safe.

What's unsafe about drywall Just don't eat it or get pissed and throw your wrench through it. It takes a while to burn or I should say disengrate unlike OSB which will burn. If you are in high humidity or very damp conditions, get the moisture resistant drywall.

I've had it in my garage for 20 years and haven't had a problem yet.

But yes, there are alternatives to drywall, and like I said, there are about 20 different threads on different wall coverings for a garage. The threads cover all types. Some have even used, used skids to cover the walls, some have used pine planks, one member used old fence panels torn apart and refurbished, quite a few use drywall, some use metal, and some even use vinyl siding.....although I don't recommend siding, and some have used FRP panels in the garage. Then of course there is the combination of two items to cover the walls

 

[MScott]

Then of course there is the combination of two items to cover the walls

This. Using OSB and covering it with drywall gives you the best of both. You can screw items directly without worrying about finding a stud and the drywall can be finished as smoothly as a house interior and will not be easily punctured. It will be more expensive of course and you have to mud and finish the joints but you asked for the "Best."

 

[Paladin306]

Everyone has their own version of what "best" means. For looks, I went with tongue and groove southern yellow pine which is still "under construction". The goal is to get the walls finished so I can get everything organized.

View media item 62039
Mark

 

[Ironhorse74]

1/2" cdx plywood. Use painters caulk to fill any seems.

 

[mjchamp]

The house I bought already had 1/2" OSB on the walls and ceiling. I read all of the threads on how to make painted OSB not look like painted OSB. After 2 coats of primer, 3 coats of block filler, and 2 coats of paint I realized that steel panels. I could not be happier. Here are a few pics of what I did:



This is the OSB after all the primer, block filler, and paint:



After all that work for just one wall, I went with metal on the other walls.

 

[jives]

I will be using old sliding closet doors to finish the lower 8'. They are 1 1/8" thick, 22" wide, and 92" long solid core, maple veneered, polyurethane coated doors removed from a college dorm. Weigh 60 lbs each. Minimal hardware to remove, and the backsides relatively clean. . . but there is some interesting graffiti on the front of others! Hope to begin installation in about 2 weeks, after installing electrical and insulation. Bought 90 of the doors at $1.00 each. But, hauling 5400 lbs of doors took 2 trips and a trailer rental.

Pics to come when the project starts.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I made this posts few years ago when the same question was asked.

I copied where I quoted myself once before on wall coverings.



Interior wall coverings. You will see a wide array of posts for and against each one. Take each post with heed and follow the building codes in your area (if you have any) especially if you have to get your garage inspected.

Drywall, meets code and fire resistant, labor intensive to hang/finish, looks good when finished yet susceptible to dings and dents. If you live in an area with seasonal temp changes, an unheated/cooled garage drywall joints may crack.

OSB doesn't meet code and will burn. Hangs just like drywall, yet joints don't need finished or may be caulked to look seamless. Resistant to dings and dents, and some people say it's easy to hang "stuff" on. Some people do not like the slight wavy appearance.

Plywood shares many of the qualities of OSB, but generally at a slightly higher cost. Smoother finish than OSB.

Metal siding can be bought in a wide array of colors and various lengths. It's available in corrugated or "squared ribs" ribs like a pole barn.(for a lack of better term) Gives a clean appearance when completed yet can be difficult to find a smooth surface to hang shelving on. It can be dinged and dented but does provide some resistance. An interior covered in metal siding may have a tinny echo and/or no noise absorption.

Those listed above are generally some more of the prevalent choices here on GJ, but not all. Some others have used other materials like Hardi-board or had a metal bldg just spray foamed and left as is.


While I may not be totally correct above, I have tried to provide an unbiased opinion of the most popular choices and pros/cons. Take it for what's it's worth and enjoy your garage. Feel free to post up a thread in the gallery.

 

[tstaude]

I am debating on going with the corrugated like in this picture. It would be very durable, easy to attach/hang things and looks pretty nice.

 

[Zeke]

I think mixed media is the 'best' answer. Some slat wall to hang things, some ply to be able to screw into whatever you want. Maybe some metal for the look and some plain ol' drywall for upper areas to be painted white to help with light.

Dividing wall areas with a horizontal band looks good and many do that with simply paint. An end wall can be a contrast in color or material for variety. Google "garage walls" and look at the images. Or follow this link.

 

[tt455]

I too used LP Smartsiding.. http://www.homedepot.com/p/48-in-x-...7;jsessionid=42DDC8B2172658865801CCE7F77417F2

• it's sturdy enough to simply nail right to the studs,
• tongue and groove design = no seams with no effort
• pre-finished wood grain appearance, you don't even have to paint it
• durable finish, stains just wipe right off.

Thanks for posting, love this idea. I've been thinking, looking for a long time for a good alternative to sheetrock, OSB, or plywood.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I prefer plywood, or OSB if money is a concern. I hate drywall in a garage, unless you need it on the wall attached to a house, which I'd still plywood over that. Metal sounds interesting, although I've never used it.

 

[PhantomEB]

Mines going thru this right now, I am only putting Firecode rated drywall on the one wall and around the one corner behind the compressor only cause I have to and that side pretty much ain't gonna be the 'work' side. The rest of the garage including the ceiling is gonna to be OSB.

Entire garage is getting sprayed in semi gloss white by a painter neighbor as soon as the permits are closed out next month.