The structure of plywood is stronger than drywall, making it suitable for utility areas like laundry rooms and garages. To improve the visual appeal of plywood walls, you can use varnish or sealer, stain or paint, or decorative accents.
Garage walls can be unsightly and the sheathing options are limited. The two most obvious options are drywall and plywood. Plywood, a versatile and widely used material, often emerges as a strong contender.
Minimum 5/8'' plywood should be used for shear walls inside the framing, but 3/4'' is better for screwing into as you desire. Plywood must be put up by the garage door opening as that is the weakest part of the garage. From there shear walls are needed near or all the way into the corners, on all sides.
Drywall is the cheapest and maybe easiest to repair. Plywood is probably the most versatile in a garage. Other materials like FRP, cementious, or steel panel products will not be versatile, but look good. You can also vary where each material is placed based on storage/use, or do just a wainscot.
It is not as durable or easy to work with as drywall is. These thin sheets of wood are bonded together with an adhesive. Plywood is not visually appealing which is another one of its drawbacks as a wall material, however, it can still be used as one.
Which plywood is best for wall panelling? For living spaces, premium Grade B/BB birch plywood will ensure a high-quality finished surface, while commercial Grade BB/BB birch can offer excellent results at lower cost if plug marks are carefully managed.
Plywood Sheet
Plus, plywood is one of the more affordable wall paneling options, with an average cost between $1 and $5 per square foot. Just be aware, though, that plywood isn't as fire-resistant as drywall. Best For: Basements on a budget.
Plywood or OSB board: Wood walls make a durable option for garages: They can take a beating from teenagers carelessly backing out the family car and are strong enough to hang tools and equipment without worrying so much about studs. They also help absorb sound.
Drywall costs $15 for a 4-by-8 sheet, compared to $20 to $50 for a plywood sheet of the same size, making it more cost-effective. For both materials, you'll also have to account for other costs, like tape, joint compound, and paint for drywall and paint or stain for plywood.
Over the years many homeowners have opted to line their garage walls and ceilings with oriented strand board, or OSB, as it's more popularly known. OSB is a strong, versatile, and inexpensive wood product that gets the job done.
Plywood actually gets saturated much faster than osb, but it is not prone to edge swelling and it dries out much more quickly. On the plus side, osb is a more consistent product. It is truly an engineered material. You never have a soft spot in the panel because 2 knot holes overlap.
How Much Weight Can 1 Inch Plywood Hold? One inch of plywood can hold up to 164 pounds per square foot.
Protects From Fire
Drywall is a great building matter that is highly resistant to fire so it is a great addition to garages. Garages often have power tools in them, flammable materials, and also people who work on cars with products that could catch fire. Installing drywall would be a good idea to keep it a safe area.
Always opt for a dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and moisture. Exposure to moisture can lead to warping and delamination of plywood sheets, causing them to be unfit for use. A temperature-controlled environment, such as a garage or a shed, is ideal for storing plywood.
Lining Out A Concrete Garage
Ply board is a good option as it is sturdy and repels moisture well. Depending on what you want to use the building for, you may wish to use plasterboard then plaster the inside of the building. The lining material can simply be screwed or nailed to the timber battens.
Plywood is a popular choice for many construction projects, but its durability, low cost, and simple assembly make it a popular choice for garage walls. Its strength and longevity are improved by its construction from thin sheets or wood veneer stacked with alternating grain orientation.
Cost-Effectiveness: Plywood and OSB are often more affordable than other wall materials like fiber cement board or metal panels, making them a budget-friendly option for homeowners looking to upgrade their garage walls without breaking the bank.
Drywall is a common material for garage walls due to its low cost and minimal effort required to install it. Plywood is another low-priced choice that is both sturdy and long-lasting. Metal panels are long-lasting and simple to maintain, making them a great choice for garages.
Because of its moisture resistance, it will fare better in a garage setting where such conditions are common. Plywood, when applied to the walls of your garage, acts as an additional soundproofing and insulating barrier. You may paint or stain the plywood to improve the appearance and make the walls simpler to clean.
When it's cold outside, the drywall contracts, and when it's warm outside, the drywall expands. This can cause the drywall to crack along the seams. Another reason is because of the moisture in the air. When the air is moist, it can make the drywall swell and cause it to crack.
Plywood is very rigid and stiff. The layers of veneers offer tensile strength to the plywood, making it stiff. Gypsum board are made with lightweight materials. These materials make it easier to bend and fold than plywood.
Pegboard. Putting pegboard on your walls instead of drywall saves you money while creating functional storage across the entirety of your walls.