Workshop Wall and Ceiling Finishing

[jbcat2]

I am in the finishing stages of my 30 x 50 pole building that I will be using for a garage and workshop. I am looking for ideas on what type of wall and ceiling materials members have been using. I have been tossing around using OSB, Metal siding, Drywall.... I will post pics later. Thanks - JB

 

[rtdiggr]

I like the idea of plywood or osb for the sides. I have sent in some pics a light weight metal for the ceiling.
I don't like drywall, at least not for a working workshop. If it is more for show than drywall is fine.

Shane

 

[jimmer2880]

I have been kicking around how to finish my garage/shop also. I like the metal on the ceiling. However, the only thing that I don't like about metal ceiling is how much it bounces the noise. My shop is noisy enough, it doesn't need help. Noise alone may be the only reason why I put drywall on the ceiling.

As far as the walls go, it'll be drywall there also. Mainly for price per square foot. I don't like the look of OSB, and 1/2" plywood is just too expensive. In my "tool corner", I'll cover the drywall with some painted 3/4" plywood to hang tools & stuff from.

I'll probably end up hanging the drywall and not finishing it. I will go ahead and prime it though.

 

[DeNiro]

Drywall is a good thing to use for the fire retardant properties it offers especially in a work area where welding and fuel are often the cause of accidents. If it is a work area you need not finish it completely, but just finish the joints to make it meet the fire code and also to help seal the heat in a little better. It is also cheap and easy to install and pretty repairable in the case of accidental damage.

 

[claridon]

I used drywall to finish the walls in my 24' X 24' shop because I don't like spending money. I did a quick job of taping the joints. In the garage I had where we used to live I simply caulked the joints and that worked fine also. I painted the drywall with a white enamel paint to make it as bright as possible inside.
The other thing I did was to insulate (R13) the walls and ceiling. Although it's not heated, I have no trees shading the shop and it would get uncomfortably hot in there on those sunny summer days (remember them?)

 

[elkun1]

I used white metal on sides and ceiling. almost had to wear sunglasses it was so brite in there when new. not as brite now. would definetely use white paint on whatever you use. noise doesn't seem any worse than any other shop, but then i'm kinda hard of hearing(probably from using to much ether for setting beads on tires). I ran all wiring in conduit I would do it again even though it's a little more work to hang stuff from wall. I like a brite shop, I even used white epoxy on the floor. That i wouldn't do again Welding spatter and cutting torch sparks burn thru it and it looks like c*#p. shure was brite though. Have fun with it, Ron

 

[EddieWalker]

I don't have anything on my ceilings yet. Still kicking that one around with out any rush to get it done. On my walls, I put OSB. I think it looks good, but more importantly, it's very functional. I can hang just about anything on it, or attach stuff to it. It's more work then sheetrock, but ten times more useful in my opinion.

Eddie

 

[RonMar]

I have plywood behind all the work benches and wall cabinets. The rest of the walls and ceiling will be drywall once I get the rest of the insulation up.

 

[sjcmba]

I am in the same dilemma. I have a 52 x 42 x 12 Morton Building. I ruled out metal due to the difficulty in mounting shelves or anything else on the wall. The ribs in the metal would keep shelving from being flush with the wall.

I then thought about using OSB, and painting it white. The price is right. I'm just not thrilled with OSB. Drive a screw near the edge, and it self destructs, which could present problems if you want/need to remove panels in the future. I'm looking at plywood at this time. I think it will look better than OSB with a coat of paint and also believe it will hold up better. Yes, it is more expensive than OSB, but I want to do it once and be happy.

I have a friend who just built a smaller Morton building. He is looking at plywood for the first 4 feet, then metal above that.

Good Luck!

 

[GarthH]

I've been planning a shop for a few years now. There is no question in my mind to use some type of wood - I would prefer a plywood over OSB. The reason is it is so easy to attach anything to a wood whereas drywall you always need to find a stud. OSB is bad because it often blisters when it gets wet. I have also considered MDF but also have some issues with water but not as badly.

I like the flooring t&g plywood. It will have a nice smooth finish and is available in 1/2" or 5/8".

I would likely run the sheets to at least 6' level obviously to 8' because of the sheet size.

My brother put the wood on the ceiling and can attach almost anything to it such as lights and other nice features.

At least my two bits.

Garth