OSB Interior Walls

[Jowo]

I am in the process of finishing the interior of my 30' X 50' shop. The plan was to use OSB on the top 8' of the walls and corrugated metal on the bottom 4' (12' ceilings). I had planned to use 7/16" OSB, as the walls are constructed with studs on 16" centers. The only OSB that I have been able to locate has dark manufacture stencils on one side and dark nail lines on the other. When contacting several manufactures, they all said that all of their OSB products are produced this way. I have seen several posts showing interiors with OSB having no stencils or nail lines. Any idea who manufactures OSB without the nail lines? The only product I found was some 1/4" material, which I feel is too thin for this application. Any help is appreciated!

 

[ACDNate]

A buddy did his interior in OSB. He sanded each piece before install. Took a good bit of time but it looks really nice installed.

 

[cdestuck]

Are you not planning on painting?

 

[Jowo]

No, I do not plan to paint the walls. I really like the natural look of the OSB.

 

[Falcon67]

I left it. Could not find anything short of sanding that would take it off. Now I don't notice it.

 

[spschroeder]

I am in the process of finishing the interior of my 30' X 50' shop. The plan was to use OSB on the top 8' of the walls and corrugated metal on the bottom 4' (12' ceilings). I had planned to use 7/16" OSB, as the walls are constructed with studs on 16" centers. The only OSB that I have been able to locate has dark manufacture stencils on one side and dark nail lines on the other. When contacting several manufactures, they all said that all of their OSB products are produced this way. I have seen several posts showing interiors with OSB having no stencils or nail lines. Any idea who manufactures OSB without the nail lines? The only product I found was some 1/4" material, which I feel is too thin for this application. Any help is appreciated!

Pick the side with the least amount of printing. Definitely pick the side without 'exterior' treatment. Some concentrated belt- or palm-sander sanding will take it down to bare wood in no time. The chip-board look of OSB will hide slight changes you make to surface depth with your sanding. Give it a coat of poly to give it some shine and some lath boards over the seams and you'll have a cheap/easy board-and-batten look that is timeless!

-Steve

 

[spotco2]

Most of it will wipe off with thinner on a rag.

Oil based primer does a really good job of smearing it everywhere.

 

[hippie2cams]

osb is ugly, its even uglier when its painted.

 

[Falcon67]

I like it. Nice warm color. And things bounce off instead of wrecking the surface.

 

[waterss]

What I did was buy the osb with the foil backing I think it is called heat shield or something like that. Same stuff that was used to deck the roof. Down in south texas it has helped a lot. Then we primed and painted it. Was going to leave natural but made it look dark in the shop. After painting looked better.

 

[skeletonizer]

osb is ugly, its even uglier when its painted.

Jacked up drywall is worse.

 

[FunkyfullWidth]

"the natural look of the osb" made me laugh. I painted a few coats of kilz primer the osb i put in my garage. One day I'll finish coat it. A 5 gallon bucket goes a long way.

 

[laser3kw]

Most of it will wipe off with thinner on a rag.

Oil based primer does a really good job of smearing it everywhere

that was my experience.
I painted my OSB - white - when you walk in it looks smooth and you almost can't tell it's osb. Great for light reflection.

 

[skeletonizer]

"the natural look of the osb" made me laugh. I painted a few coats of kilz primer the osb i put in my garage. One day I'll finish coat it. A 5 gallon bucket goes a long way.

^^^This.

that was my experience.
I painted my OSB - white - when you walk in it looks smooth and you almost can't tell it's osb. Great for light reflection.

...and this. ^^^^

 

[Beemer533]

I used OSB as well for most of my garage that might be subjected to any abuse. Originally I didn't paint it (I think it looks fine, it's my garage not my living room). Now that I am redoing my shelving and cabinets though, I may throw a coat of white or gray on it just because...

 

[TheShrine]

OK, since no one else is going to actually answer your question JOWO, I will try.

I'm in The Texas Hill Country so I can only speak to my providers. It is my experience that neither Home Depot nor LOWES carries this kind of product. Nor are they willing to reach beyond what is already on their shelves. We (Kerrville) have two local lumber providers that seem to have no problems with it though. That would be MG Building Materials and Mc Coys Building Materials. Both are chains but I'm not sure if either are in your area. If not, you might find a customer service oriented store and ask for a special order from either Weyerhaeuser or Louisiana Pacific. Both make the 1/4 & 7/16 "unmarked" OSB. They both provide a product with marking on only one side. Any lumber provider with a phone and a desire to help can place an order for you. Keep in mind that a Special Oder may come with a minimum purchase which, I think, is 60 sheets of 7/16 per pallet. Today, in Kerrville, 180 sheets of unmarked OSB was available @ $13.47 (Mc Coys) & $11.49 (MG) per sheet.

Good luck! By the way I like your idea. I'm a no paint OSB and metal wainscoting kind of guy. Ignore the haters. Sorry, I was too lazy to move my autos but you get the idea.

 

[Beemer533]

Looks nice, I wish I could have found unmarked OSB... But damn, over $13 per sheet..

 

[ADSR]

I did the same with my garage. Smooth side out and paint. I love it! Paid 8.50/sheet for 7/16

 

[Beemer533]

Amazing the price fluctuations on OSB.. When I built my shed and put a new roof on my garage 3 or 4 years ago, I paid just over $6 a sheet.. Last year I saw it hit $11 or so... I think it is about $8.50 right now..

Sometimes I wish I had a pole barn just to hoard building materials...

 

[JoeFin]

Fire trap

There is a reason the building code requires fire resistant sheetrock

 

[Chevy72pu]

Good luck! By the way I like your idea. I'm a no paint OSB.

For a minute there I thought your dyslexia was kicking in. Seriously as I was reading his post I thought I would tell him to contact you. Glad you chimed in. I still have your build thread stored on my computer and a copy of Dream Garages magazine featuring your place. One day I hope to have mine finished like that.

And to the op, like he said ignore the haters.

 

[TheShrine]

Fire trap

There is a reason the building code requires fire resistant sheetrock

I walk around with my sleeves unbuttoned and sharp pencils in my pocket but I DO NOT start fires in The Shrine!

I figure that if I'm stupid enough to start a fire, and I'm there...I put it out. If I'm stupid enough to start a fire and I leave.....it'll burn down whether it had fire "resistant" sheet rock or not. It's amazing how many authorities on this site are so quick to point out the fire resistance of sheet rock but completely pass over the fact that the term implies A FIRE IS PRESENT! Therefore, don't mess with fire, or anything related if you are stupid. If you do...don't do something stupid. In the far chance that one's space ignites and they aren't there.....sheet rock or not it is burning. Additionally, the ever present assumption is that the fire in discussion is within the work space. What if the fire is in the wall where the sheet rock is "resisting" the fire but everything else is feeding it? Hmmmm? Yes OSB will burn but not as fast as everything that sheet rock is attached to.

As for my space it has so much fire retardant on it Red Adair won't even return my call. I've got to go....I smell smoke!

 

[JoeFin]

I walk around with my sleeves unbuttoned and sharp pencils in my pocket but I DO NOT start fires in The Shrine!!

I work with "Auto-igniting, Extremely High Pressurized, Toxic Chemicals" In short I work in an oil refinery

Believe me, no one intentionally burns down their shop but you would be extremely surprised to know the number of common household cleaners that when mixed together become pyrophoric.

But Hey - don't let me stop you

We only get 1 or 2 "My whole garage burnt down" threads here per month.

Not to mention the letters from the insurance companies claiming "No we won't be processing your claim for the 62 Corvette or the 38 Chevy lost in the garage fire nor the structure itself because you violated the terms of your policy with illegal construction methods.

No you go right ahead and continue whistling in the dark with that lumpy, uneven looking, toxin off-gassing wall board that only gets more lumpy and uneven looking in humidity

 

[ACDNate]

I work with "Auto-igniting, Extremely High Pressurized, Toxic Chemicals" In short I work in an oil refinery

Believe me, no one intentionally burns down their shop but you would be extremely surprised to know the number of common household cleaners that when mixed together become pyrophoric.

But Hey - don't let me stop you

We only get 1 or 2 "My whole garage burnt down" threads here per month.

Not to mention the letters from the insurance companies claiming "No we won't be processing your claim for the 62 Corvette or the 38 Chevy lost in the garage fire nor the structure itself because you violated the terms of your policy with illegal construction methods.

No you go right ahead and continue whistling in the dark with that lumpy, uneven looking, toxin off-gassing wall board that only gets more lumpy and uneven looking in humidity

To the insurance point, fire resistant drywall is not usually a requirement for accessory buildings. Attached garages of course.

 

[JoeFin]

To the insurance point, fire resistant drywall is not usually a requirement for accessory buildings. Attached garages of course.

If it was built without drywall - yes

If it is new construction or some thing you "Added" - NO

 

[TheShrine]

I work with "Auto-igniting, Extremely High Pressurized, Toxic Chemicals" In short I work in an oil refinery ...and your point is?....never mind.

Believe me, no one intentionally burns down their shop...duhhh! but you would be extremely surprised to know the number of common household cleaners that when mixed together become pyrophoric.......again, irresponsible or at least ill informed to the point that they will not be working in my home!...kitchen or garage!

But Hey - don't let me stop you

We only get 1 or 2 "My whole garage burnt down" threads here per month. This point is a straw man! If you want to at least appear as an informed authority state how many garages "burnt down" that were attached or stand alone and those that were sheet rock vs. OSB. That would be informative and not so whinny.

Not to mention the letters from the insurance companies claiming "No we won't be processing your claim for the 62 Corvette or the 38 Chevy lost in the garage fire nor the structure itself because you violated the terms of your policy with illegal construction methods. Sounds like someone was irresponsible with fire and insurance! Personal responsibility is a fleeting thing!

No you go right ahead and continue whistling in the dark with that lumpy, uneven looking, toxin off-gassing wall board that only gets more lumpy and uneven looking in humidity

That was kind. I'm sure the other Garage Journal members are proud to call you one of their own.

 

[JoeFin]

That was kind. I'm sure the other Garage Journal members are proud to call you one of their own.

****-House Self-Anointed Authorities are a "dime a dozen" - you really have way too High an opinion of yourself

In short - "Negligence" is some thing you are "Not" insured for. If some how there was bodily injury or loss of life associated with it - you could and would be brought to answer for it

But don't let that stop you from advising everyone on the forum the "Proper Fools Method"


on edit - and some thing you should really think about

Now that you've blabbed your "Willful and Knowingly Negligence" across the internet you would be best advised to plead "No Contest" should a firefighter or occupant be injured or killed in any ensuing fire

Have a Nice Day Friend

 

[wnstwolf]

And to think no one mentioned the fragmented spears of PVC air lines floating in the air when these fires happen..

Common guys we are all friends here

 

[Beemer533]

Wow, this derailed fast...

Back to the OP; have you found a local source for "clean" OSB?

 

[Fishplate]

Have a Nice Day Friend

For a minute there, you had me believing you meant that!

 

[Fishplate]

If a fire starts in my shop, it's not likely to be from spontaneous combustion of the interior wall finish.

If a fire starts in my shop, it's not likely to spread to any other structure.

Thus, the flammability of my interior wall finish is irrelevant to both the design of the structure and to the insurance company.

 

[jrb2]

I read through this thread pretty fast but I don't think anyone has mentioned Menards. I have purchased several hundred sheets of 7/16 OSB over the past year or so from Menards and it has all been marked on one side only.

 

[rlev11]

Funny how there are probably millions of unfinished garages in the US with bare wood framing and the backside of the walls of course in bare wood ( I know of at least a half dozen in my block alone) and I have never heard of any national outcry about the dangers of this, but put up some wood 3 1/2 or 5 1/2 inches closer to the inside and all of a sudden it turns into a firetrap????

 

[JohnX14]

It is perfectly legal to have a detached residential garage with osb for interior wall finish. There is no requirement for gypsum (unless it is within 3' of the dwelling unit. Even an attached garage can have osb on 3 walls as long as the wall adjacent to the house has 1/2" gypsum.

 

[gayler]

Have any of you tried to burn OSB? It doesn't just burst into flames at the sight of a spark. Take a scrap outside with a propane torch and try it! If your still worried aboout it you can use a product like this.

 

[Jowo]

Thank you everyone for your replies and suggestions. TheShrine - I appreciate your suggestions. I actually chose to finish my shop with the OSB and corrugated metal after seeing your pics. Mine will never be as nice as yours, but it definitely provided the inspiration (your shop & the hill country - you're living my dream!). I have actually located a bundle of OSB at a building supply that is nearly free of any stencils (the few that you can see are barely visible - a quick touch up with a sander, as someone suggested, will probably remove them). If I have time this weekend, I may run over to the Austin/Kerrville area and see what else I can find. If not, I will use the other material that I located.

I didn't mean to cause an argument regarding the OSB. This forum provides a great means for allowing everyone to express there thoughts and opinions. With this knowledge, everyone must evaluate the risks and apply them to their own situation. Thanks again!!