Steel wall installation around or behind cabinets

[mg7674]

OK, maybe not the best title, but something I have been pondering and would like some opinions. First a little background. New 34x28 insulated garage with loft space upstairs, currently being built. Exterior is nearly complete with siding being finished, soffit, etc. Inside, getting ready to run electrical. The plan is to insulate with fiberglass batts and install vertical steel panels on the walls in the main floor garage space (mostly due to some grinding and welding work to be done in the space).

I have pre-purchased (because of a deal I couldn't pass up) New Age 12 piece garage cabinets. They cover a span of 13' at a height of 6.5'. This is a considerable section of my back wall. I plan to install them once and leave them in place as they will be lagged to the wall of course.

Here is the question that I am wrestling with: Since the cabinets are essentially permanent fixtures and are best mounted flat against the wall, is it smart to trim out around them (i.e. J-trim as I will use around windows and doors) and not have my steel panels run in behind them? As I am dealing with a new build, I don't have any pre-existing challenges to deal with, it just seems like a cleaner and easier way to install the cabinets.

The major pro that I can think of is a flat surface to mount the cabinets to (no steel ribs to deal with) and less steel to buy and install. Con would be if I want to move the cabinets later, no steel behind, but as I said, I don't plan to do that. Another plus would be electrical is easier to handle without the steel.

Other pros/cons you can think of would be appreciated.

 

[jack stand]

What's your construction, posts or 16" studding? Will these cabinets require horizontal blocking for mounting like normal cabinetry? If they're not various heights carefully plan the horizontal 2x's that you'll need for the interior metal to work with the cabinet mounting locations or add additional just for the cabinet fastening so you can have a evenly screw pattern spacing from the floor to ceiling. It helps with the overall appearance.
I favor completing the metal wall and adding fillers, usually about 7/8" to clear the ribs

 

[rayra]

I think your plan to play with fire right up against the house wall is a very dumb one. Move your firemaking location near an exterior garage door as far from the house-proper as possible, so you have time to put the fire out and the heat and fumes can piss off right out an open door in general. Instead of thinking a steel panel WITH WOOD CABINETS MOUNTED TO IT is a way to stop fire.

 

[mg7674]

Thanks for the feedback.
I am on 16" studded walls. To Rayra's points, I want to clarify a couple of things:
This is a detached building, not attached to my house. And the cabinets I am mounting are all steel construction. And yes, welding and grinding will be done with proper ventilation (i.e. open door, ventilation trunking etc). Sorry if my original post gave the wrong impression.

 

[CraigStu]

I would run the steel to the cabinets and stop. J-trim as needed. To me it would be way too much work to put up the steel and then d--k around w/ how to mount cabinets on top of it. I usually have enough of a challenge finding studs and figuring where I can easily mount the cabinets regarding them. Adding steel to that? Not me.

 

[ipgenie]

I'm doing about the same thing with 12' of steel cabinets in my shop build. I'm attaching them to the OSB wall, then running the metal up to the edge of the cabinets and trimming around them.
If for any reason I or someone else ever decides to remove the cabinets, a few pieces of matching metal can be purchased and placed on the wall where the cabinets are. Color might not be absolutely perfect but I doubt many would notice. It won't fade and weather like it would outdoors.