What is a good alternative to drywall?

trusscore.com - Superior Drywall Alternatives for Your Garage Walls - Trusscore

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Drywall Disadvantages in a Garage

Drywall is a good option if your garage is dry. It’s not a great option if moisture is present in your garage because when drywall gets wet it swells, degrades, and the gypsum that’s sandwiched between the two cellulose covers surrenders all of its structural strength. Remediation requires plenty of time, money and, in the case of Do-It-Yourselfers, sweat equity. And drywall can be a pain to install – taping, mudding, sanding and painting.

Drywall Alternatives for Garage Walls: Pros & Cons

In a market where drywall alternatives are readily available and there’s so much to discover, it’s important to learn how these alternatives can deliver interesting styles and impressive performance beyond what drywall has to offer. Here are a few:

Wood sheathing

Plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and oriented strand board (OSB) are expedient and low-cost solutions for garage walls. They can be attached over studs quickly with framing screws and, unlike drywall, wood doesn’t require any taping, mud, or sanding. Wood sheathing isn’t the best solution if you’re looking for a more finished result and wood panels will swell and discolor if they get wet. Plus, if these panels remain wet, they’ll continuously support mold and mildew growth.

Metal panels

Metal panels deliver a stylish, contemporary look and are available in many finishes. Different metals – steel versus copper, for instance – deliver unique results. Different textures can be achieved by using corrugated sheets or metal roofing material such as AG panels. Panels are relatively easy to install with screws into studs. But the outlook for metal panels isn’t always ideal. Metal can be costly to build with, and untreated steel is likely to develop rust when it gets wet. Plus, with fasteners exposed on the exterior face of the product, moisture is able to penetrate through the fastener to the substructure behind the panels, putting it at risk of mold, mildew, and structural damage.

Cement board

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Cement board is generally used underneath floor tile, yet it can be used as a wall product on its own. Cement boards are strong and durable, and they deliver a unique, industrial look. They also set the stage for the future if you plan to add tile to your wall. There’s no mistaking it – cement board is a heavy product, meaning it might prove difficult for one person to install. The material cost of cement board can also be rather high; however, it can be a sufficient option in a high-moisture area because cement won’t absorb water and won’t support mold or mildew growth.

Pegboard

Pegboard is a great option if you want to hang tools or equipment from your garage. It installs quickly onto studs with screws. Pegboard comes with significant downsides for a wall and ceiling material, though. It’s not a particularly strong product – especially pegboard made from MDF – and, in terms of the look it delivers, you’ll likely only want to use it in the areas used for tool storage rather than the entire garage. Plus, it’s far from ideal that your insulation cavities in your walls and ceiling will be exposed through the holes in the pegboard.

PVC-based panels from Trusscore

Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard and Trusscore Slatwall are an ideal garage wall and ceiling solution, particularly if you need to hang tools and equipment from your walls – typical of most homeowners. Both products are PVC wall panels that are lightweight and install easily over bare studs or drywall. Both are also impervious to water, meaning they’ll never swell or degrade when they get wet. If they do get wet, the material won’t support the growth of mold or mildew and can be wiped clean in an instant.