Question about wall coverings

[longlivepunk]

Hey guys, I'm in the process of re-doing my garage that was built in the 50's up here in Canada (just cleaning it out to get ready was a nightmare, but that's a whole different story) and now I'm looking at what to use to cover the walls. I was planning on doing the practical thing and go with drywall and fluorescent lighting for the better lighting, fire-protection, and re-sale value but now that I think I'm going to stay in the house for a long time I'd love to have wood and incandescent. I tried searching for an answer, and I've been reading several garage-builds, but I couldn't find anything, so here's my question:

I do a fair bit of metal-working, so is there any kind of solid-wood plywood that would have a fire-resistant coating? I know there are fire-resistant paints out there, but that would cover the wood anyways, so I may as well go with drywall at that point, but is there anything else that I don't know about??

Thanks a lot for any info!

 

[Kevin54]

Drywall would be more flame retardant. But each and every member on here has their own preferences as to wall covering. Myself, I like drywall. Others like OSB. A lot all depends on your attitude and what type of work you do. If you are the type that gets pissed and throws a wrench....stay away from drywall

Seriously, it DOES depend on what you do, whether you plan on hanging a lot of stuff on the walls or not, and also what you feel comfortable with as far as hanging the materials go. OSB really needs to be caulked and primed before paint. Drywall, as you most likely know, has to be taped, mudded, and sanded. So it really boils down to a personal preference. Like I said, I'm more of a drywall person, but if you look at Shrines place, he has OSB and corrugated metal, and it is over the top as far as looks. He also left the OSB in it's natural state.

The best advice....start going through the Gallery on here and take notes as to who has what, and why they went that route.

 

[longlivepunk]

Yeah, I'm not worried about hanging any type of material, just hoped there might be a good looking plywood that was impregnated with some type of flame retardent or coated in it. Ah well, I'll just have to decide between the two when the time comes I guess. My concern isn't throwing wrenches, (although I have been known to do that from time to time) but more so the use of torches, welders, a chop saw, possibly a propane heater for this winter, etc. Thanks for the reply, Kevin! I think my favorite garages on here so far are, Jay's fab shop and the 44 bikes shop plus you have to love this organization

 

[Silver Heels]

Its been awhile since I worked construction, but on commercial/government jobs, we used to use a plywood and lumber that was in fact (supposedly) fire resistant. It had a pinkish tint and wasn't just surface coated. No idea of the cost or where to get, but we used it quite a bit so it can't be too uncommon

 

[Higgins]

There is a product called Pyro-Guard is pressure-impregnated, third generation, interior fire-retardant treated lumber and plywood for enclosed structural applications. It's a little on the $$$ side at around $ 50 - $70 a sheet!

AL

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

You didn't say if it was an attached garage or not.

Attached- 5/8X drywall would be required today on any wall/ceiling that shares conditioned/living space or structural members.

Unattached- there is no real set code (As far as IRC), but anyone who values their structures would surely do whatever is possible to retard the spread of fire. From a pure financial standpoint d/wall is probably the least expensive. From there you can add wainscoting if you want to protect the walls from damage.

 

[longlivepunk]

Yeah, it's a detached garage. Thanks for the answers guys. I think I'll have to **** it up and go with drywall. As much as I loved the old plywood walls I had to tear out, they burned like crazy and I'm going to have way too many fire hazards to put up with that. Plus I'm on the poor side, so cheaper is always a plus.

Thanks again!