What thickness of plywood for garage walls?

Author: Devyn Hahn  |  Last update: Thursday, July 31, 2025

Additionally, 1/2-inch plywood is easier to handle and install, making it a convenient choice for DIY projects. If the garage will be used to store heavier items or if the walls need to bear a significant amount of weight, then 3/4-inch plywood should be chosen.

What thickness plywood to use for walls?

Using ½” thick plywood for walls is standard, although the International Residential Code specifies only 3/8” wall sheathing when studs are spaced 16” apart and the siding is attached to the studs and not just the plywood. For buildings with siding attached only to the sheathing, the IRC requires ½” plywood.

Can I use plywood instead of drywall in a garage?

Plywood more durable than drywall. Depending on how you use your garage, bumps and taps on drywall could leave dings that plywood could possibly withstand.

What thickness OSB for garage walls?

Use in Walls

The recommended minimum thickness of OSB panels for timber-frame walls is 12mm when the cells in the supporting frame measure up to 62.5cm on a side, and 15mm for frame members spaced up to 83.3cm apart.

What is the best sheeting for garage walls?

PVC Panels

They're lightweight, durable, and resistant to moisture, making them a popular choice for garage walls: Durability and Longevity: Once installed, drywall can easily be damaged, forcing you to fill in holes or cracks over time.

Which is better, OSB or Plywood?

What kind of plywood for garage wall?

In general, for most garage wall applications, plywood between 1/2 inch and 5/8 inch thick is considered adequate. This range offers a good balance of durability and affordability, providing enough support for light to medium-duty loads such as shelves, hooks, and tools.

What is the best lining for a garage wall?

For garage walls, medium-density fibreboard (MDF) is a cost-effective and useful choice because of its quick setup, insulation, and simple installation. Because OSB is constructed of wood strands linked together with resin, it is an affordable yet durable solution for garage walls because of its insulating properties.

Should I use plywood or OSB for walls?

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.

What material to use on garage walls?

Relatively robust materials that can survive the rigors of a garage environment are OSB and plywood. They are less susceptible to dents and damage from impacts than drywall, making them a resilient choice for walls that may be struck by tools or equipment.

Is 7/16 OSB good for walls?

Wood frame exterior walls must be fully sheathed, including areas above or below wall openings, with minimum 7/16-in. wood structural panels. Interior shear walls must be fully sheathed including areas above or below wall openings with minimum 7/16-in. wood structural panels on both wall faces.

What type of wood to use for garage walls?

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.

Do you need vapor barrier when drywalling a garage?

Step 3: Follow with a vapor barrier

In the garage, like other spaces in the home, condensation results from moisture in the air. Excess condensation and humidity levels in your garage can damage your garage's foundation and cause tools, vehicles, and cabinets to rust faster.

What can I use instead of drywall for garage cheap?

5 Drywall Alternatives for Your Garage Walls
  • Plywood. Photo: Александр Поташев / Adobe Stock. ...
  • OSB. Photo: Александр Максимкин / Adobe Stock. ...
  • PVC Panels. Photo: bildlove / Adobe Stock. ...
  • Fiber Cement Board. Photo: dinastya / Adobe Stock. ...
  • Metal Panels. Photo: Escaflowne / E+ / Getty Images.

How thick should wall lining plywood be?

Specifying ply for walls

The sheets are delivered to your site, pre-finished in the specified Maxi colour too. In terms of thickness for your walls, 12mm thickness is fine.

Can you use 1/4 plywood for walls?

Wall Paneling: This plywood can be used for decorative wall paneling, adding a rustic or finished look to interior spaces.

How thick should plywood be to sleep on?

Plywood comes in different thicknesses, ranging from 1/8 inch to 3/4 inch or more. The most common thicknesses used under a mattress are 3/8 inch, 1/2 inch, and 3/4 inch.

Can I use plywood for garage walls?

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.

What is the best sheathing for garage walls?

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.

What is the best board for garage walls?

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.

Do screws hold better in OSB or plywood?

Nails and screws are more likely to remain in place more firmly in plywood than in OSB. OSB retains water longer than plywood does, which makes decay more likely in OSB than in plywood. Of course, tree species plays a large role in this determination.

What kind of plywood is best for walls?

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.

Which is stronger, 3/4 plywood or 3/4 OSB?

Strength. OSB and plywood are very similar in terms of strength, but plywood is stiffer than OSB by a factor of approximately 10%.

What is the best material to put on garage walls?

Plywood, MDF, or OSB is the best material for building garage walls because it is both inexpensive and easy to work with. They may be attached to the studs with frame screws and, unlike drywall, don't necessitate any finishing touches.

What is the new replacement for drywall?

PVC panels are impact-resistant, whereas drywall is prone to damage. Drywall contributes to landfill waste, decomposing into a pungent-smelling hydrogen sulfide gas. On the other hand, PVC panels are eco-friendly, have a low carbon footprint and can be recycled several times.

What is the best finish for garage walls?

A semi-gloss finish is ideal for garage walls as it reflects light and is easy to clean. Thorough wall preparation, including cleaning and priming, is essential for a smooth and long-lasting paint job. Applying at least two coats of paint ensures even coverage and durability, particularly in high-traffic areas.

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