Can you use OSB instead of drywall?

OSB is tougher and easier to hang, while sheetrock is easier to paint and looks neater. Fire-Rated OSB offers a great alternative to sheetrock, yet for a higher price tag. Regardless of which product you decide to use, your garage will be more comfortable and usable with finished walls.

Does code require drywall in garage?

R302. 6 Dwelling/garage fire separation: The wall between a house and garage must be separated by 1/2″ drywall. This also applies to structural members, and this extends to the attic in a common-sense type of way; the garage needs to be separated from the house.

Is OSB a fire barrier?

Plywood and OSB (oriented strand board) structural panels are real wood, a natural insulator, and therefore provide good protection against heat loss and condensation. Large panel size also minimizes the number of joints that can “leak” heat, airborne noise or flames.

Can I use OSB for garage walls?

OSB is a effective sheathing material for garage walls. It’s strong and durable, and it can be used as a base for nailing or stapling insulation to garage walls. OSB can be left uncovered for utilitarian bare-wall constructions, but can be primed and painted.

How do you finish OSB garage walls?

Starts here6:26OSB Sheeting for walls and ceiling finished with Kilz stain block primerYouTube

How do you fireproof a garage wall?

You can reinforce your garage walls and ceiling by adding gypsum board to any part of the garage or ceiling that connects to the main home, which will minimize the possibility of a fire in the garage reaching the house. You should also make sure that you have a fire extinguisher and heat alarm in your garage.

What kind of drywall do you use for attached garage?

For the majority of your garage, you can use standard 1/2 inch drywall. For the ceiling and wall abutting the house (if this is an attached garage), you should use 5/8-inch sheetrock or type X fire-rated drywall. Always check your local building codes.

What is code for drywall on garage ceiling?

Most attached garages have a ceiling secured to the bottom chord of the roof trusses or ceiling rafters, and the ceiling must minimum be 1/2” drywall or equivalent.

Is OSB more fire resistant than plywood?

FRT plywood has a flame spread rating, but no rating for burn-through resistance. Fire-rated OSB sheathing has load/span and shear design values that are superior to FRT plywood at the same thickness. In addition, engineered wood sheathing reduces dead load and wall thickness versus FRT plywood.

What is flame block OSB?

LP FlameBlock is an ICC-certified structural fire-rated OSB sheathing that combines fire resistance and impressive structural performance in a single panel. The fire-resistant coating bonded to LP® OSB allows for a 15-minute thermal barrier (UBC 26-2) and slows the spread of flame and heat.

What kind of wood should I 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.