Wall Options (What To Put Over Studs) ?

[jaymar_]

So, here's the deal. I have a sizable garage, but I rent. Bare studs all around. Landlord says I'm free to put up interior walls, but the cost is on me. So, what are my options, and what do they cost? Not planning to insulate, just want it to look decent and not break the bank or choke me on mold spores (foreign or domestic). Los Angeles area. Thanks for any help!

 

[MattGarage]

French cleats can be part of your solution. Put up a french cleat wall and cleat everything you need.

 

[jaymar_]

Interesting, thanks for the tip; I've never seen that before. Looking for something fairly plain / 'clean look' for this project...

 

[u2slow]

I wouldn't bother with boarding - wasted effort for a rental. Better to splash some cheap paint (brighten it up) and focus on french cleats or whatever hanging/shelving fixtures you want to organize your stuff.

 

[jaymar_]

Right now there's nothing to paint. I'm looking as the a** side of the exterior walls, plus 2x4 studs. That's it. The other thing is, I'm going to be photographing the work I do in the garage, so the background has to look good-ish and uncluttered. French cleats would be fine in other circumstances, but here they (and all the stuff that would be hanging on them) would just confuse the background...

 

[u2slow]

I have painted the inside of stud bays before. It's still brightens things up.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

If you're renting you don't want to spend much on something you can't or won't take with you when you move.

But you till want SOME organization that looks good, works pretty well, and MAYBE you can take.





Do this ^^^^^ wherever you need storage for smaller items. Not everywhere like this guy did. Put up a sheet of 4x8 1/4" pegboard where you want larger stuff to come easily to hand. Install both with drywall screws so you can take them (if you want) when you move.

Otherwise, keep your stuff in tool boxes for when you move out.

 

[jaymar_]

Ha, interesting approach! The 'stud bays' here have 60 years of grime/discoloration; I'd sooner pay to cover it up that spend the time to clean it. I'm thinking drywall, or thin plywood, or maybe something else I don't know about (like I didn't know about French cleats). No particle board, no glued-together-wood-scraps etc.

 

[u2slow]

Boarding is expensive these days. I've done a whole bunch in my shop over the last few years. Not something I'm willing to put up for somebody else without being paid.

 

[jaymar_]

Boarding is expensive these days. I've done a whole bunch in my shop over the last few years. Not something I'm willing to put up for somebody else without being paid.

Okay, let's say it was your place, or you WERE being reimbursed, or you were gonna take it with you when you left, or you just weren't gonna leave and cost wasn't a giant concern--what would your choices be, starting with best-quality? Because I really don't know what's out there... Thanks!

 

[u2slow]

If I had the option to take it with me later.... plywood, or white (steel) liner panels.

 

[4 Ever-Fish N]

I've read where some folks use LP Smartside panels in interior situations. You could hang it with screws and take it down when you leave. I'm paying about $40 / sheet.

 

[no704]

1/2 in lightweight drywall is about as cheap as you can do that with.

 

[jaymar_]

I've read where some folks use LP Smartside panels in interior situations. You could hang it with screws and take it down when you leave. I'm paying about $40 / sheet.

Are you using in garage? I'm checking it out. Thought "engineered wood" (from their website) sounds suspiciously like glued-together sawdust, and I wonder about resin offgas toxicity...

 

[nadogail]

I would use the least expensive drywall or plywood.

 

[Sumboodie]

I've read where some folks use LP Smartside panels in interior situations. You could hang it with screws and take it down when you leave. I'm paying about $40 / sheet.

It's near double that here.

 

[Sumboodie]

How is the place heated? I'd probably want some insulation at least if i had to.pay the heat bill.

 

[jaymar_]

How is the place heated? I'd probably want some insulation at least if i had to.pay the heat bill.

It's not. Nor is it ventilated. Or cooled. A few summers back, it was 120 in the yard. Didn't think to get the temp in the garage. When it rains, water gets in a few feet under the door.

 

[jaymar_]

Upon further reflection/research, I think I'm gonna pass on LP Smartside...

https://lpcorp.com/resources/product-literature/safety-data-sheets/lp-smartside-sds

Some of that stuff, meant to deter bugs and fungi, a few grams is fatal. I suspect drywall is full of undesirable **** as well(?) Is all plywood treated with this stuff too? I'm getting an education here...

 

[acer66]

Upon further reflection/research, I think I'm gonna pass on LP Smartside...

https://lpcorp.com/resources/product-literature/safety-data-sheets/lp-smartside-sds

Some of that stuff, meant to deter bugs and fungi, a few grams is fatal. I suspect drywall is full of undesirable **** as well(?) Is all plywood treated with this stuff too? I'm getting an education here...

You will run into this in one or the other way with whatever material you choose and a lot of it is just lawyer talk anyway.

Just use the proper protection when working with it and you will be fine.

Hard to make a suggestion with so many variables.

Drywall will involve a lot of work besides just hanging sheets and if you are not good in finishing it it will look like ****.

I would most likely go for the cheapest form of about 1/2” ply or similar you can find or get creative with some stuff you find dirt cheap on CL.

Part of my garage walls is covered with random cut offs that otherwise would have gone in the dumpster.

Good luck.

 

[Notgrownup]

Torx screws with peg panels or the modular hanging systems from Lowe’s … you can also hang cabinets with hangman systems or French cleats…take it down when you leave.

 

[racecougar]

It's not. Nor is it ventilated. Or cooled. A few summers back, it was 120 in the yard. Didn't think to get the temp in the garage. When it rains, water gets in a few feet under the door.

These facts, plus that fact that it's a rental, really should steer you toward not wasting time/money on this, but if I follow this request:

Okay, let's say it was your place, or you WERE being reimbursed, or you were gonna take it with you when you left, or you just weren't gonna leave and cost wasn't a giant concern--what would your choices be, starting with best-quality? Because I really don't know what's out there... Thanks!

I'd suggest liner panel. It fits your chemical free criteria as well.

 

[CraigStu]

I don't remember what it is called but look for pegboard w/o the holes. If you carefully use white headed nails or screws they will give you a surface that I think would be adequate for photo backround. If you use screws it could be removed and taken w/ you when you move. Another option is the pebble surface white fiberglass sheet.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/48-in-x-8-ft-Embossed-White-Wall-Panel/1000174771

While searching for the fiberglass this came up.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Parkland-Plastics-48-in-x-8-ft-Embossed-White-Matte-Wall-Panel/3436816

Scroll down to the 'overview' section. I think you will like the specs.
This is how edges are joined. Screw it to the wall and slide the panel in which covers the screws. There are also versions for corners.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Sequentia-8-White-PVC-Fiberglass-Reinforced-Plastic-Divider/3044511

 

[racecougar]

I don't remember what it is called but look for pegboard w/o the holes.

Masonite

 

[Toolfool]

1/2" CDX plywood, painted. (orange lines are to designate where electrical wires and AC condensate lines are)

 

[jaw22w]

1/2" CDX plywood, painted. (orange lines are to designate where electrical wires and AC condensate lines are)

I love the electrical/ plumbing map on the walls. Kills 2 birds with one stone. Adds interest to the walls and prevents accidental problems. Don't tell anybody else what they are! They'll just look like decoration.

 

[rancherbill]

I'd pressure was to clean it up, wait a period of time to dry and just spray paint it.

Something like this will really brighten the area and stop mold and mildew. Renting a pressure washer and sprayer and some paint is way cheaper than putting something on the walls.

https://www.kilz.com/primer/kilz-premium

 

[jaw22w]

Over 40 years ago. I finished the inside of my 30x36 shop with one wall of 1/4" pegboard and the rest with 1/4" OSB. I'm still in that shop and it still looks nice. Most of those walls are covered by benches and wall cabinets, now. I have never wished I had used thicker OSB.
Right now I am getting ready to finish a new 30x40x12 pole barn. I will do the walls with 1/2" OSB at a OSB cost of under $500.

OSB is the cheapest wall covering I know of at about $.25/SF for 1/4" OSB right now in my area. Drywall at a little less than $.50/SF before mudding. Metal liner panel at a little less than $1.00/SF
The only exposure to toxins in the OSB is while cutting it. Wear a mask.
If I was paying to do this in someone else's garage, I would not do any more than 1/4" OSB. It will look plenty good enough for pictures.

 

[sjvicker]

1/2" plywood painted white. Countersink your screws and put in a bare minimum of screws so you can remove later and take with you or sell on marketplace.

 

[BillK]

How big is the garage and how much are you willing to spend ? I did the walls in my attached garage with inexpensive paneling from a lumber yard. I did two sheets of pegboard also. I think it looks great. Something like this:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-8-in-x-48-in-x-96-in-Canyon-Yew-Wall-Panel-980-200/317014920

 

[kbs2244]

I used "garage panels" (1/4 inch, white finished, peg board)
I got it at a big box home store
you need to ues the peg board hooks for 1/4 panels
but you can hang heavy stuff
use white screws and you can take it down to take with you and still have an all white surface

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

FREE FREE FREE IDEA!!!!

I just thought of another idea. It's laborious but basically free: Start looking for pallets behind businesses - make surety don't care if you take them, of course.

You can break them down and use the (usually) 1x4's to cover the wall. It'll take some time but it'll look good and you can use nails or screws to mount stuff including in an organized look like the pegboard I posted above. You can do this bit-at-a-time and leave it when you move.

 

[dave*99]

Ply-Bead Plywood Siding Plybead Panel (Nominal: 11/32 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. ; Actual: 0.313 in. x 48 in. x 96 in. ) 538281 - The Home Depot

Use Ply-Bead Plywood Siding Plybead Panel in any high-activity location of your home to prevent them from dents and scratches.

www.homedepot.com

Website says $27 a sheet here. Probably causes cancer in California.
Most things are labeled as such.

 

[Jeff C]

I’m fond of the CDX plywood idea already mentioned. When you’re ready to move take it down and take it. Hanging things on it is easier than Sheetrock too. If you really want to do it GJ style (overkill)…. I checked the local Lowes and 5/8 is only $1 more than 1/2 right now.

 

[kylefitz]

Doesn’t get any cheaper then 1/2 drywall. Hang it, skip the mudding and taping, prime and paint. Cheap enough to leave behind.

 

[dave*99]

Doesn’t get any cheaper then 1/2 drywall. Hang it, skip the mudding and taping, prime and paint. Cheap enough to leave behind.

You could put battens over the joints if you want to get fancy.

 

[PoorUB]

You can break them down and use the (usually) 1x4's to cover the wall. It'll take some time but it'll look good and you can use nails or screws to mount stuff including in an organized look like the pegboard I posted above. You can do this bit-at-a-time and leave it when you move.

Have you ever torn down pallets? Usually they use ring shank or spiral nails that don't want to come out and you end up busting up a bunch of wood.
Plus one pallet might get you enough wood to cover just a few square feet. You would need to strip 3 or 4 pallets to cover what one 4x8 sheet of OSB or sheet rock.

1/2" sheet rock is less than $15 a sheet. Screw it up, prime and paint. No need to mud up the seams.
1/2" OSB is $11 a sheet, same deal, screw it up and paint.

 

[dave*99]

Some pallet wood is treated with nasty stuff too.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Have you ever torn down pallets? Usually they use ring shank or spiral nails that don't want to come out and you end up busting up a bunch of wood.
Plus one pallet might get you enough wood to cover just a few square feet. You would need to strip 3 or 4 pallets to cover what one 4x8 sheet of OSB or sheet rock.

1/2" sheet rock is less than $15 a sheet. Screw it up, prime and paint. No need to mud up the seams.
1/2" OSB is $11 a sheet, same deal, screw it up and paint.

Yes I have. They can be a bit of a pain in the arsenal but that's why I said it's laborious, but it's also free. Pay with dollars and a bit of frustration or with dollars! Besides, they're not ALL made with ring shank nails. If he goes that way he'll begin to be able to identify which is which

Some pallet wood is treated with nasty stuff too.

Never had this experience. The ones I've used have been relatively clean, newish wood....or I didn't use them.

 

[Walkers]

Get the long pallets used for sheet goods. Strip the slats off the top, then rip the 4x4s into 1/4” strips and put them up like lath. JK, use drywall, cheap and easy.