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Answer for a garage drywall question
The people I meet and build a relationship with are my favorite part of this job. I’m always thrilled when someone reaches out with home questions. This comes from a client who wanted to know how finishing his garage with drywall would impact his house.
Picture provided by my client Hey Mike, thanks for the occasional blog posts and reminders! I have, hopefully, a couple easy “building code” questions for you.
I’m insulating and hanging drywall in my garage for better temperature control. I’ve already purchased 1/2″ sheets for both the ceiling and the walls, but I recently learned that 5/8″ sheets are recommended on the ceiling when you have 24″ joist spacing like I do. (Doh!) I understand the increased thickness combats sagging, but is it a building code violation to use 1/2″? Could this be a problem when it comes time to sell? The second thing I would like to do, is cut an access hole from my current attic above the house into the future garage attic space, so I don’t have to use the cumbersome access via the master bedroom closet. My concern is that I suspect the wall between the garage and attic/house is a thicker “firewall” that would be negated by my cutting an access hole in it. Is cutting such a hole against building code? Is it ill-advised? Is there a way to make it work within regulations?(The attached pictures show the shared wall between the current attic, and the soon to be drywalled garage ceiling, with space designated for a drop-down attic ladder.)
And I responded…
Good to hear from you! A few things on the drywall questions. Present code requires drywall to be 5/8” between garage and living spaces of the house. It’s suppose to slow a potential fire from garage to house to give residents more time to get to safety. If your garage was not finished with drywall it really doesn’t matter what you put on your walls and ceiling, apart from the wall between your house/garage. Few inspectors check the thickness of garage drywall and often we can’t see the thickness. If you use 1/2” drywall for your project I think you’ll be fine. You will need to put in plenty of fasteners to secure the 1/2″ ceiling drywall (every 6-8”). Also, use screws for fasteners not nails!
As for the attic access through the garage… After you’ve cut it open, I would recommend installing a door or panel that can shut or seal. Make it out of plywood or durable material. This can restore the structural integrity of the access hole you cut into the attic and help protect from potential pest (rodent) access into your attic area. This will mean that you will have a drop down stair in the garage ceiling that will give you access to a removable panel/door from the garage attic area into the main house attic.
I think what you are doing is a terrific idea. Anything that makes attic areas more easily accessed and inspected makes them less likely to have issues in the future. Also, a finished, warm garage will be more pleasant to use.
Thanks for the pictures! Let me know if there is anything more I can help with.
I’m grateful for my client who said it was cool if I used our email discussion as a “Fix It and Use It” article. If you have questions feel free to reach out. I am pleased to be an ongoing resource for all my clients.
