Need pointers on garage interior - steel sheeting?

JimmyRC86F150 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-19-2009, 10:32 PM

Howdy Folks! Been working all Spring at getting my garage insulated. Built walls out to 7" and installed R-19 insulation. Was planning on covering interior with 4' X 8' sheets of hardboard siding. I had a garage once that was lined with OS board but half the time when you brushed along it - you got harpooned by a pointed chip...so I was going to stay away from that on this project.

Saw a guy's garage that was lined with white corrugated steel and liked it. Makes the inside bright and easy to see. But I don't know much about working with steel sheeting. Do I still need a vapor barrier underneath it? I assume that I would add some horizontal nailers...like 1"X4"s to screw it in to. Is it worth the trouble...what do ya think? Thanks for your ideas.

Ford_Six · #2 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 02:18 AM

I have thought of using something like this, but mostly for fire resistance. I would stay away from hardboard just because of the fire risks, plus as moisture finds it's way in, the stuff just falls apart.
An exterior sheathing rated drywall is a good bet, but fragile. If you bump your walls a bit, go with the steel.

mitchntx · #3 (**permalink**) 06-20-2009, 09:51 PM

That's exactly what I have done ... I used sheet metal screws and screwed 1x4s and 2x4s to the hills and spanned the valleys.

I have hung pegboard and built a shelf or make-shift desktop that I put my PC on.

ATSW FX4 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-25-2009, 01:47 PM

I would use a moisture barrier. Anytime that you have steel, you have sweat. I'm have that issue with my garage. The guy who put it up didn't realize it or didn't think about it and no all of my sheet rock on the inside is beginning to mildew and grow mold due to the exterior metal siding.

Good Luck

Chaosracing · #5 (**permalink**) 07-05-2009, 12:31 AM

I have used both OSB and metal siding for wall coverings. The one big issue with steel siding is trying to mount stuff on the wall like cabinets, shelfs with brackets, you usually have to install blocking first. No biggie, just an extra step. OSB gets painted with good primer and a good paint. No problems with it flaking then. If your insulation has the kraft paper vapor barrier of the plastic barrier on it, then no additional vapor barrier is needed. If not, then buy 6 mil poly and staple to the studs. Tape your seems if you go this route. Another thing to consider with white steel siding is reflectivity. Great for shop lights, easy to clean off (just some siding cleaner and a hose once in a while) Can be bad for welding. I have gotten welders flash from that before. I had my helmet on for welding, but the flash was bouncing off the siding and into the helmet. I had it bad that one night. After that, when I welded in that garage (it was my late buddies garage) I always wore sunglasses under my helmet.