osb walls in garage?

[johnnycharger]

Hi Guys,
I just bought my first house. The house is a fixer upper, but the shop is awesome (IMO). The only problem is that they didn't Sheetrock in the garage.  I know nothing about construction or codes and I admit it. My question is should I use OSB to line the walls? Is this a good or bad idea? I think it would look cool and I get the OSB for free. If $ was not an issue, I would sheet rock it, but all of my cash is going to the house. Thanks in advance for the input!

[Slowpoke]

OSB would be fine, especially since its free. Are you going to insulate the walls?
Not knowing your location moisture might be an issue. A good vapor barrier might be necessary.

[twodko]

John Wow!!!! Congratulations man! That's out-freakin'-standing. The family must be giddy with happiness. Di and I are thrilled for you guys.
Now, on to the important stuff. I officially hate you! That looks to be a dream garage with that high "lift capable" ceiling. O' course we need some pix of the main crib too. As far as OSB goes, if it's free OSB it is! Couple coats of paint to seal it up and you'll be good to go. OSB has one side that is coated with some kinda sealer to make it less susceptible to moisture. Put this side against the studs. If you can swing it, throw some insulation in the stud bays. You'll be happy you did. What is the electric service to the garage? If it seems there's not enough outlets, there probably isn't. It's easy to add more and a couple 220 outlets is always a good thing. Is it plumbed with a sink and even better, a crapper? Does it have a PGE gas drop? If you have access to a framing nailer the sheeting will go up quick. Keep me in the loop, I'm kinda old and slow but if you need any help, I'm there. Again congrats. One bit of advice if you will, save save save. Hell I feel like I just bought a house! Good  on you bro.

[JT01]

I used osb instead of using drywall like most people use and then I had it sprayed white really cant tell a difference. Osb is a lot nicer. Heres a couple of pics right after I got it done                                                            

[GordonGriggs]

I would also go with the osb board if its free. I would also use drywall screws to attach it. That way if you decide to add, or change the electrical wiring you could take it down with a screwdriver and put it back up again.

[Kern Dog]

What is the reasoning here? Are you looking to just cover the bare studs? Garages and "Out buildings" do not fall under the title 24 restrictions of the building code, and the standards are looser than a dwelling. You probably do not NEED to put anything on the walls unless you want to do it.

[mauve66]

i'm more interested in the doors and windows betwween the garage and the house, those seem really nice to just show a garage outside them

[BrianShaughnessy]

Pardon if I'm wrong but IF it's attached,  there probably has to be some sort of fire rated barrier on the inside wall.  Which as I recall is at least 5/8 sheetrock.    That could just be a NY building code for all I know.

If it's not attached... nevermind.

[John_Kunkel]

If it is attached I think only the common wall(s) need to be fire-rated. I wish I'd gone with wood (cost was a consideration) instead of sheet rock, you can drive a nail in wood and it'll hold something.

[NHCharger]

Brian is correct. If the garage is attached to the house there must be one layer of 5/8" sheet rock between the garage and house and the seams must have at least one coat of mud. This includes the ceiling if there is living space above. If this wasn't a requirement back when the house was built you should do it to avoid any problems with your insurance company.
On the rest of the garage OSB is fine. I went with OSB on the first 4' in my shop and just painted it white.

[Chatt69chgr]

Reguardless of what the codes say I would sheetrock the whole garage for fireproofing.  Sheetrock is cheap.  The OSB could be installed over that.  Make sure you put any electrical or plumbing in while the wall is open.

[histoy]

I like to panel the walls in my garage with pegboard, then I paint them white.   That provides maximum versatility for hanging tools and supplies in the garage.

[arrow]

Reguardless of what the codes say I would sheetrock the whole garage for fireproofing.  Sheetrock is cheap.  The OSB could be installed over that.  Make sure you put any electrical or plumbing in while the wall is open.

  Dont assume you will never have a fire -- sheet rock it

[johnnycharger]

I really appreciate all of the input. The garage is not attached. The property is a half an acre and the shop is quite aways from the house. The glass and doors in the back are for the built in wine room(which I never would have built).
The reason for lining the walls is because I do want to insulate it, and I think it will it will give it a cleaner look as well as give less hiding spots to all of the spiders I am battling...

Thanks Tom!  We will have to have you over for a BBQ. I will send you some more pics soon...

[RallyeMike]

Dont assume you will never have a fire -- sheet rock it

Save your pennies for sheetrock! I did recently have a garage fire, and I can tell you first hand how glad I am that the walls and ceiling were rocked.

Congrats on the shop (and house). You have your priorities straight!

[Domino]

I built my shop from the ground up, but there are people that do drywall work.  I insulated myself and then called them in.  It's relatively cheap and fast.

First pic was end of day 1, 2nd pic was end of the next day.  They did come back a few times over the next two weeks to sand/skim and finish up but the delay was running heat and waiting for it to dry out.

[Magnumcharger]

I put drywall in my garage at first. It wasn't long before I found that I was accidentally puncturing it, especially behind work benches.
So I stripped it all off the walls and replaced it with OSB, which I then primed and painted white.

The OSB has held up a whole lot better than the Gyprock board. My only complaint has been that the moisture in the garage tends to swell the OSB along the edges, and occasionally a piece of wood will lift off of the surface requiring a touch up of the finish. That, and the surface is very rough looking.

In hindsight, I'd do it again with 1/2" good one side plywood, which costs more, but looks better and is a bit more durable.

[twodko]

John, the members here make a strong point about the fire advantages of drywall. Having just bought your new home, discretionary cash is always tight. One option would be buying just, say, 6 sheets of rock at a time and hang it. The other advantage here is that the Mrs. can't hammer you for spending too much on the shop.
No wait, what did I just say? Naw, you'll get hammered anyway.