Garage Finishing Ideas

[Sluggo]

I'm going to finally finish my garage walls. I don't plan on heating it anytime soon but thought it would be nice to have it insulated and closed up. Has anyone used something other than drywall and like it? I was thinking it would nice to have something that doesn't absorb water. I thought there was a thread on here a while back about this but for the life of me, I can't find it. Thanks.

 

[NDwalleyes]

I used OSB. Been up 10 years. Awesome

 

[DirtyMike]

OSB in mine as well.

 

[sl1000794]

I'm going to finally finish my garage walls. I don't plan on heating it anytime soon but thought it would be nice to have it insulated and closed up. Has anyone used something other than drywall and like it? I was thinking it would nice to have something that doesn't absorb water. I thought there was a thread on here a while back about this but for the life of me, I can't find it. Thanks.

Don't know your aversion to flat paint on drywall in the garage. Here in CA we install sheetrock on all home garages that we built and just painted them with flat paint. If you are really concerned you could use a waterproof elastomeric paint. What we have to be careful of here is if the house is a one story house and someone wants to sheetrock the garage there are no eve vents in the garage roof area. When the garage is sheet rocked there is no ventilation in the garage attic area and it can become a furnace in she summertime. I installed 2 roof eyebrow vents in my garage roof to keep the garage cooler when I sheet rocked it.

 

[NDwalleyes]

Best thing with OSB is no worries about car doors dinging the walls, scuff marks and you can screw hangers for all your shovels and rakes wherever you want and not worry about studs.

You can paint it if you choose to do so.

 

[LBrandt]

^^^^^Good Advice^^^^^

 

[ItemB]

FRP covered osb was called glass board I think. Not cheap but looks nice no painting, can be washed down and don't have to worry about finding studs to hang most stuff unless real heavy. Steel or tin is nice too but can get a echo if you have any gatherings or do anything with talking listening to music in your garage. I have also seen the frp covered osb on the bottom 4 feet then osb the rest of the way up that is painted, this way if you spray or wash down your floor you don't have to worry about water and saves a little money too.

 

[all4eyes]

I used slat board, not the cheapest but I like the fact I can move any shelves or hangers without needing a screw or nail. 8 years and no issues.

 

[NDwalleyes]

one more thing....If you have kids who play hockey OSB is good because they will shoot pucks and tennis balls at your walls constantly.

 

[Obi-Wan]

Don't know your aversion to flat paint on drywall in the garage. Here in CA we install sheetrock on all home garages that we built and just painted them with flat paint. If you are really concerned you could use a waterproof elastomeric paint. What we have to be careful of here is if the house is a one story house and someone wants to sheetrock the garage there are no eve vents in the garage roof area. When the garage is sheet rocked there is no ventilation in the garage attic area and it can become a furnace in she summertime. I installed 2 roof eyebrow vents in my garage roof to keep the garage cooler when I sheet rocked it.

Why flat paint? With flat paint you barley touch it and it leaves a dirty spot and is near impossible to clean. The higher the gloss paint the easier it is to clean

 

[Kentucky Windage]

My garage has drywall. I installed FRP Board 4' off the floor to protect the walls. Then I used vinyl wall base board to give the floor/wall junction a clean look. Finally, I caulked all the seems. I can take a garden hose to the 1st 4' up the wall and wash my floor if I want. The FRP protects the wall from dings like the OSB does. It also wipes up really nice.

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Few other tips: you can't have too many electrical outlets, install wood backing in known locations where heavy objects will be stored or secured, LED lights!, and a ceiling fan to move air around and assist drying the floor.

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Beer fridge, other electrical for future wants (TV, speakers, etc.). It will only cost more money in the future once the walls are up, so run the necessary wire while you have the cheaper chance

 

[Obi-Wan]

Why flat paint? With flat paint you barley touch it and it leaves a dirty spot and is near impossible to clean. The higher the gloss paint the easier it is to clean

Keep in mind the wall between the house and garage will have to have 5/8 sheetrock for fire rating and depending on how the roof is built the ceiling may also need to be rated.

 

[gone_fishing]

I put up 1/2" OSB in my garage then painted light grey. Looks nice and didn't cost much.

 

[SupressYourself]

Painted OSB can look quite good. Just fill in the larger gaps with a putty of your choice (I forget what I used...), roll on a good primer, and a few coats of a semi-gloss and it will be very durable.

 

[AR-15]

Used drywall, put a electric ceiling heater in, put that's coming out is summer, to costly, putting a forced air gas in

 

[Sluggo]

Keep in mind the wall between the house and garage will have to have 5/8 sheetrock for fire rating and depending on how the roof is built the ceiling may also need to be rated.

Yep, the house/garage wall was rocked by the builder and the ceiling was done as well so I just have 3 walls to contend with.

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Painted OSB can look quite good. Just fill in the larger gaps with a putty of your choice (I forget what I used...), roll on a good primer, and a few coats of a semi-gloss and it will be very durable.

You just answered my next question

 

[NDwalleyes]

Painted OSB can look quite good. Just fill in the larger gaps with a putty of your choice (I forget what I used...), roll on a good primer, and a few coats of a semi-gloss and it will be very durable.

I would just skim it with thinned out drywall mud. Prime and paint.

 

[Retired Educator]

Saw a garage that used galvanized, corrugated metal up about 3-4' from the floor. Nice cap on top for trim and a painted floor that looked like marble. Super sharp look, easy to keep clean and walls that were very durable. Owner said paint wasn't overly expensive and very durable.

 

[ardee]

I did mine with osb first then covered it with white strong barn metal both wall and ceiling. The osb allows me to screw metal and brackets anywhere without worrying about hitting a stud. The ribs on the wall are vertical so they wont hold dust and 4 tube high output electronic florescent fixtures fit perfectly between the ribs on the ceiling. Light distribution is good with no shadows with the reflection of the white strong barn and everything is waterproof and easy to clean if need be.

 

[LBrandt]

^^^^^^ Done like that and you can invite all your friends over for a community shower. HA HA