Wanted to get some thoughts from everyone. I have an attached 2-stall garage. The portion of the garage that is attached to the house is insulated and sheetrocked. It is not climate controlled. I want to brighten up and finish it more. I have already installed led lighting. What would be the most affordable options for finishing it without being climate controlled? sheetrock, plywood, or just paint existing all white? Thank you in advance for the help and suggestions. Also, Live in Upstate NY, and want to make sure that it won't warp or damage due the temperature fluctuations.
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Finishing Attached Garage Interior
- Thread starter bowanna03
- Start date
I insulated and sheetrocked and added an AC/heater though the wall and later a natural gas shop heater so I can work out there comfortably. I would insulate if sheetrocking and add any wiring you want like extra outlets or a 240V run for a welder or heater or AC.
The AC/heater that I have is a 240V 18k btu Friedrich that can be window or through wall mounted and the 12k BTU internal heater was adequate the first winter if I left it on 24/7 (unit has thermostat), but would not have been able to warm from 0 degrees to 60 degrees in 2 hours if I just wanted heat when doing a project. I want to be able to do projects anytime and don’t want my power tools and welders to sweat.
The AC/heater that I have is a 240V 18k btu Friedrich that can be window or through wall mounted and the 12k BTU internal heater was adequate the first winter if I left it on 24/7 (unit has thermostat), but would not have been able to warm from 0 degrees to 60 degrees in 2 hours if I just wanted heat when doing a project. I want to be able to do projects anytime and don’t want my power tools and welders to sweat.
zc15
Well-known member
Depends on budget: Low/No Budget would be just paint everything in place
Medium Budget: Insulate walls with batts and drywall
Medium/High Budget: Insulate walls/ceilings and then drywall over plywood
High Budget: Spray foam then wall finishing of your choice
If you can't tell, I would insulate if you are putting a wall covering up. Much cheaper and easier to do this now before the wall covering goes on
Medium Budget: Insulate walls with batts and drywall
Medium/High Budget: Insulate walls/ceilings and then drywall over plywood
High Budget: Spray foam then wall finishing of your choice
If you can't tell, I would insulate if you are putting a wall covering up. Much cheaper and easier to do this now before the wall covering goes on
Metal-Marc
Well-known member
Insulate with bats and sheetrock the walls.
Even if not heated, it will still keep some of the heat from the house in the garage.
If you decide to install a minisplit down the road, the insulation will already be in.
Even if not heated, it will still keep some of the heat from the house in the garage.
If you decide to install a minisplit down the road, the insulation will already be in.
CJDave
Well-known member
Mine was the same bowanna. My wife and I put up batts but at age 63 I did not want to learn drywall installation and finishing. Besides, some of the ceiling drywall seams needed repaired. I hired that out and we painted. CJDave.
BillK
Well-known member
My attached garage is 22 x 22. Same deal, sheetrock on the attached wall only. I insulated mine with batts and then just put up some inexpensive wood paneling from 84 Lumber. That was when the house was built in 1978 and it has held up fine and looks nice. Ceiling is drywall painted white.
CraigStu
Well-known member
Yes it is code for hopefully keeping any fire in the garage. I have seen 5/8 used but I'd get more detail for each location. I am not sure that 5/8 is automatically 'fire' rated.Sheetrock on attached wall is apparently due to code for separation of uses. I think is supposed to be 5/8 for to slow down a spreading fire.
duneslider
Well-known member
Code doesn't call for 5/8 type x on walls in garages. Just regular 1/2". Ceilings with living space above DO call for 5/8 Type X. I have not seen 5/8 that was not Type X rated. It might be out there but I haven't seen it.
Insulation is pretty cheap, I would definitely insulate the walls before adding drywall. Ceiling can be easily blown in after you install ceiling drywall. You can buy the insulation at the local box store and they let you use the blower for free if buy a certain amount of product.
Insulation is pretty cheap, I would definitely insulate the walls before adding drywall. Ceiling can be easily blown in after you install ceiling drywall. You can buy the insulation at the local box store and they let you use the blower for free if buy a certain amount of product.
ddurrett896
Well-known member
insulate + 1x12
In one town in which we own property, we were required to have at least 5/8 drywall thickness on the wall separating the barn from the apartment. The barn was considered like a garage since cars could be stored in it. We had only 1/2 drywall on that wall so I added another layer.Code doesn't call for 5/8 type x on walls in garages. Just regular 1/2". Ceilings with living space above DO call for 5/8 Type X. I have not seen 5/8 that was not Type X rated. It might be out there but I haven't seen it.
duneslider
Well-known member
Local jurisdictions can do what they want but the IBC/IRC doesn't require it anymore. However, the way you word it "barn" and "apartment" leads me to believe the city may not be looking at your property like a regular single family home with attached garage. Codes are different for "apartments". In my line of work the words used can have drastically different codes ie. Mezzanine vs. Maintenance Platform.In one town in which we own property, we were required to have at least 5/8 drywall thickness on the wall separating the barn from the apartment. The barn was considered like a garage since cars could be stored in it. We had only 1/2 drywall on that wall so I added another layer.
My attached was all drywalled, but the portion that does not have living space on the other side of it was not insulated. So I tore down that drywall, insulated and ran more electric outlets. Then I drywalled, and painted. I also insulated the attic above it. I put in ceiling receptacles for hanging shop lights (and had installed switches for those receptacles). I also installed fold down attic stairs. Finally, insulated the 2 garage doors using rigid foam panels. All of this made a huge difference in keeping it cooler in the summer and much warmer in the winter. This is without any sort of heating or cooling.