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My garage is unfinished, i was wondering if i can use plywood instead of drywall ? Plywood is bit expensive, but feel we can use nails and the wall will be more functional than drywall. Any concerns/thoughts ?
If the garage is attached to or within 20 feet of the house, I would absolutely go with (properly taped) drywall due to fire and fumes concerns. Tool hanging and such is easily accomplished with materials made for the job or narrow strip of plywood or boards at the proper height.
It's going to depend on your local building code. Here, we are required to build a 20 minute fire rating wall between the living envelop and the garage. OSB makes the 20 minute rating. Two years ago we had to hit a 1 hour fire rating but they have now decided that if the folks can't get out of a house in 20 minutes........well, let's just say it's natural selection. WE are required to install 5/8 Type X on the garage ceiling if there is living space above. What may be an option for you is drywall on the living side of the wall and OSB on the remainder to hit your building code, if it applies.
Just a portion of the garage is unfinished. About 20 feet on one side (which is closer to the neighbor) and about 15 feet on the side which is closer to the front porch.
Just a portion of the garage is unfinished. About 20 feet on one side (which is closer to the neighbor) and about 15 feet on the side which is closer to the front porch.
So, we can "assume" the garage is attached(?). And the wall that's "closer to the neighbor" is the exterior wall(?) and the other wall is an exterior wall(?); the remaining wall(s) have living space on the other side(?) And the ceiling?
I always recommend drywall just for the fire protection- regardless of the garage being attached or not. The biggest reason is your H/O insurance. If you want the holding power of nails in a wall with drywall you have two-three choices. Either use wall anchors designed for the appropriate load (drywall only). Use OSB, then cover with drywall; or drywall and wood cleats attached to the wall studs.
This subject comes up all the time on another forum and people argue the point about not being able to hang "stuff" with a nail, or easily damaged by car doors, bumpers, water, etc. my retort is always the same- drywall is cheap, repairable, and will reduce your insurance rate/make claims.
Another way to put it- repair garage; or total loss of home and belongs. You decide!
So, we can "assume" the garage is attached(?). And the wall that's "closer to the neighbor" is the exterior wall(?) and the other wall is an exterior wall(?); the remaining wall(s) have living space on the other side(?) And the ceiling?
I always recommend drywall just for the fire protection- regardless of the garage being attached or not. The biggest reason is your H/O insurance. If you want the holding power of nails in a wall with drywall you have two-three choices. Either use wall anchors designed for the appropriate load (drywall only). Use OSB, then cover with drywall; or drywall and wood cleats attached to the wall studs.
This subject comes up all the time on another forum and people argue the point about not being able to hang "stuff" with a nail, or easily damaged by car doors, bumpers, water, etc. my retort is always the same- drywall is cheap, repairable, and will reduce your insurance rate/make claims.
Another way to put it- repair garage; or total loss of home and belongs. You decide!
It is an interesting argument. At present he has exposed studs and board and would be going to exposed plywood. That would not obviously make things worse.
I would presume the other walls are finished with a fire retardent wallboard. So the house still has the same protection from roughly the same hazard.
In areas that have adopted the IBC, you will need to have one layer of 5/8" Type X drywall mudded and taped between the garage and any living space. You can hang plywood or peg board over that, no problem.
You could do what I did... plywood under fire code drywall.... also makes the wall a shear wall which is always a good in California.
Of course the fire code drywall was only required on the wall between the living space and the attached garage...
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