Should you Sheetrock your garage?

Author: Tom Kuvalis  |  Last update: Monday, August 18, 2025

Drywalling a garage is a smart decision if you want to protect your garage from fires, moisture damage, and exterior noise. Most garages have flammable supplies that could result in serious damage in the off chance of an accident. Drywall is fire resistant, helping to prevent fires from spreading.

Is it worth putting drywall in a garage?

Attached garages should almost always be covered with drywall or plaster for the fire rating alone. By Code and by common sense, you dont want a fuel or car fire to engulf your house in minutes, that drywall will often times save your house from major damage.

Do garages have to be sheetrocked?

Attached garages need drywall applied to the walls between the house and the garage. This is part of the fire resistant construction code. Detached garages do not need drywall UNLESS there is habitable space in the garage.

How much does it cost to drywall a 20x20 garage?

The average cost to drywall a garage is $800 to $5,000, depending on the size and the finish level. Garage drywall installation costs $1.50 to $3.50 per square foot of wall or ceiling surface.

Should I drywall my detached garage?

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.

Why Don't Builders Finish Garage Walls?

Should I use drywall or plywood in my garage?

Plywood is a combustible material, which raises concerns about fire safety in garages. Unlike drywall, which is inherently fire-resistant, plywood can contribute to the spread of fire.

Do I need a permit to drywall my garage?

You'll likely need a permit since this project may require soil grading to avoid drainage issues. Repairing your floor may be more cost-efficient than replacing it if grading is necessary. No permit may be required to hang drywall on exposed wooden wall studs in your garage.

Is it worth it to finish a garage?

We live in the now, so not everyone puts a high priority on the long-term investment benefits of a home improvement project. It's worth knowing, however, that a finished garage adds value to your home. Finished, organized garages with lots of room for storage are highly valued by homebuyers.

What's the difference between drywall and sheetrock?

One key difference between the two is that sheetrock is a brand name of drywall made by the United States Gypsum Corporation. Another difference lies in their production process; sheetrock has a slightly denser core than drywall due to the addition of a small amount of wood fiber to the gypsum core.

How many sheets of drywall do I need for a 2 car garage?

That's approximately 35 sheets of 4x8, which you'll probably want to use if you're relative newbie hanging solo. At 100 a sheet that's 3500.

Why are most garages unfinished?

Cost savings: Unfinished garages are generally less expensive compared to finished ones, providing cost savings during the construction or renovation process.

Will drywall crack in an unheated garage?

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.

Why are detached garages a thing?

Detached garages are often larger or more creatively built due to the freedom of a stand-alone format. The pros of a detached garage include: Flexibility in size and location, with freedom to maximize lot area. More room for cars and workspace.

Should drywall touch the floor in garage?

Always leave a 1/2-inch gap at the floor.

What are the disadvantages of drywall?

Drywall cons:
  • Installation process is more complicated. ...
  • Creates a mess during the installation.
  • Drywall weights, so you'll need a partner to help you with the installation.
  • Drywall is not as flexible as plaster so it can be difficult to bend it to achieve the desired result.
  • Lower durability than plaster.

Will drywall mold in a garage?

Mold, including potentially harmful black molds, thrives in humid environments that have little ventilation and sunlight. Thus, it doesn't take long for mold to grow on organic material like cardboard or drywall if these conditions are met.

Do I Sheetrock the ceiling or walls first?

Hang the Ceiling First

This makes it much easier to manage and attach the panels since you will not have to fumble around with the screws, measuring tape, and so on. Screws for drywall lids should be placed no closer than 16” from the wall. This allows the drywall to have a bit of flexibility to prevent ceiling cracks.

What is better than sheetrock?

PVC has so many advantages compared to drywall or other wall coverings. Vinyl panels have a 100-year shelf life, whereas drywall lasts approximately 30-40 years. Duramax Panels are ASTM-certified, CFIA-certified and FDA-compliant. PVC panels are impact-resistant, whereas drywall is prone to damage.

Why does everyone use drywall?

Without as much labor available to plaster walls, more and more builders had to use drywall because it required fewer man-hours to install. In addition to a lack of labor, money was also tight during this difficult time in American history. As a result, the cost savings of drywall became more and more attractive.

Should a garage be Sheetrocked?

Drywalling a garage is a smart decision if you want to protect your garage from fires, moisture damage, and exterior noise.

Does finishing your garage make your taxes go up?

When you increase the value of your property, your property taxes can be expected to go up at the same time. So, doing something like building a new detached garage on your property is going to elevate the value of that property, and you will be faced with a bigger property tax bill as a result.

How much does it cost to drywall a garage?

If you're tackling a single-car garage, you can expect the total cost to land somewhere between $360 and $840. For a two-car garage, the cost rises to $660 to $1,540. And if you have a larger three-car garage, you could be looking at $930 to $2,170 to drywall the entire space. Keep in mind that these are just averages.

What type of drywall is required in the garage?

Type X Drywall for Garages

Use Type X fire-resistant drywall for garages, as well as stairwells and areas near furnaces.

Can I convert my garage into a bedroom without planning permission?

Planning permission is not usually required to convert your garage into additional living space for your home, providing the work is internal and does not involve enlarging the building.

Can I build a bedroom in my garage?

Yes, in California your garage conversion can most definitely become a living space! You have two options for converting your garage: A guest quarter. An accessory dwelling unit (ADU)

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