THSCC Forums

OK, there has GOT to be something good out there for covering garage walls. I mean, I can't be the only one who wants something that:

1. Is pre-finished (white) so I don't have to paint
2. Is dent-resistant
3. Can be cut with a circular saw
4. Doesn't *require* seam taping (ie cut edge doesn't look terrible)
5. Isn't a fortune.

Sheetrock dents too easy and is a pain to finish. I'd hate to have to paint plywood, and besides that the price is sky-high right now!

I started to think that FRP (like the stuff over the sheetrock in lots of restaurant/bar bathrooms) panels would actually be perfect. I'm having trouble finding them, learning more about them, and finding a cheap source.

Right now the white pegboard from HD looks pretty good. It meets all of my requirements, and it's much cheaper than 7/32 OSB! Anyone know where I can get white non-perforated hardboard or FRP for a decent price? Or other options for wallcoverings?

I'm going to slowly insulate and finish the garage, probably one wall per year, and eventually the floor and the ceiling I do expect to use sheetrock for the ceiling(s), since dent resistance isn't much of a concern up there.

Mike <-- who wants a fancy garage

_________________
Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Well the FRP isn't strong enough without some sort of backing, like drywall or plwood.

As for the white hardboard check out Capital City Lumber, they are over near NC State. Won't be as cheap as Lowes/HD but they might have it.Also ask Lowes/HD if they can get it. You would be supriesed what they can/will order.

Mike,

Look in the 4X8 "Paneling" area of Lowes/Home Depot/Capital City Lumber, etc. They are likely to have "almost white" paneling. The cheap stuff uses a "vinyl" coating similar to what is used on particle board furniture kits. I agree with the idea of white. You might also look for "tile board" in the bathroom areas. Another idea would be to use paneling or tile board in damage prone areas and sheet rock elsewhere. The holes in the peg board may become popular insect/spider homes by the way. Our first shop (the one Fran destroyed) had a light brown/beige wood paneling. It was MUCH darker inside than the current white sheetrock in the replacement shop. Ditto for the floor. Beige concrete stain vs. dirty natural concrete (epoxy wasn't in the budget . . . wish it was) is much better for seeing under cars.

Edit to add: A white ceiling with lots of diffuser style fluorescent lights vs. similar number of "shop lights" helps also.

_________________
Dick Rasmussen

FS 50 2018 Mustang GT

I just used 1/4" particle board on my garage walls. It's fairly light colored, was pretty cheap, and will burn nicely in the event of an accident.

Scott

Shop carefully for this type of stuff. A few years ago I put a wrap around porch on my house and used a 1/4" paneling material that sounds much like the item above (prefinished on one side) for the ceiling of the porch. I believe it was marked for both indoor and outdoor use (but not for direct exposure to water). I put it up earlier in the year when the humidity was not that bad, but during the really humid summer months it expanded and buckled as it sucked up moisture. It looked really really ugly and I had to remove it.

I would personally lean toward something that had larger wood chips in it (OSB style) vs. something like what I had which was a very fine wood chip (smaller particles than MDF) pressed/glued together. I am guessing that the larger the chips, the less likely it will be affected by humidity. If you already had sheetrock up, I guess you could nail AND glue what I had down and it might not have buckled. But if only supported by the studs, it was bad news.

I have not repaired my porch ceiling yet but the item I was going to use was a 1/4 OSB or plain plywood style material that had a decorative bead pattern on one side, but was otherwise unfinished.

_________________
Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

You know what I was just thinking of that would kick major ass? Dry-erase board! Where can I get 4x8 sheets of dry-erase in bulk?

I could just jot myself notes and reminders wherever I am in the garage. Plus my kid would love it (eventually - right now he just lays around and drools)

_________________
Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Page 1732 of http://www.mcmaster.com has 100' rolls of 48" wide dry erase covering, and even has magnetic dry erase stuff too.

_________________
Has no responsibility whatsoever.

mcmaster has decent pricing too. after you get it up we can get some dry erase markers and have a scribbling party in you garage

_________________
beware of EV powered Ford EXP's they are quiet and come for you when you least expect it... hide behind an aluminum light pole...... ya that will help

It's called white melamine coated tempered hardboard. Capitol City should have it. Get at least 1/4" unless you are going to put something solid behind it. If you are going to cut it with a skill saw, use a high tooth count ATB blade and cut it from the back to reduce chipping along the edge. Use a good grade of high gloss white enamel for touch-ups.

_________________
SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.

Good advice.

I spotted the 1/8" thick stuff ("Tileboard" brand) at Home Depot last night - $10.99. Not too bad - but you're right, the 1/8" stuff is too flimsy.

This is just the kind of wallcovering I have been looking for. I'll give Capitol City a call tomorrow.

_________________
Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

I mentioned above that the stuff I had problems with was 1/4", but I think it might have been 1/8". Can't remember now. Maybe the 1/4" will work better.

_________________
Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

Mike, you might want to check the local building codes before you begin the project. If the Garage is attached to the house, you may be obligated to use 5/8" fire-code sheet rock on the shared wall. Actually, it's something you should consider anyway.

Regardless, you may want to consider sheetrocking the whole deal anyway for insulative reasons, fire control, and to also create a sound barrier. You can then use a much thinner protective overlay---maybe even Formica!!!

Think about it!

_________________
Brad

If it's an attached garage, it would already have to have met the firecode to receive it's final occupancy sign off, unless it was built without a permit.
If it isn't insulated, do insulate it before covering the walls. you could put a layer of Thermax or one of the other brands of Polyisocyanate foam board (the yellow colored foam board with the foil on both sides. Don't use the blue, pink, or white bead foam board tho, although cheaper the insulation value is much less and the PI board doesn't support combustion.
Richard, I suspect your problem was one of two or a combination of both: 1. the board you used was not tempered hardboard (tempered is usually dark brown in color rather than tan, and has a hard surface. It has been impregnated with a hardening oil under heat and pressure which makes it impervious to water). 2. Most composition boards do not have enough strength to support itself between joists therefore are not rated for horizontal application and will soon sag due to gravity. Ever try to make a shelf out of MDF?

_________________
SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.