Tips and Tricks on How to Choose the Right Garage Wall Material

What type of garage wall material is best for you? We explain the most common types and the pros and cons of each to help you decide.

Are you doing some garage remodeling and need to choose the best type of wall material? When it comes to a garage wall, you need to consider your own particular lifestyle.

Do you work in your garage often? Will you need to hang up shelves and other heavy tools? These are just the first few questions you need to ask yourself when it comes to choosing the right material. 

With this in mind, read on to learn how to choose the best type of garage wall material today as we walk you through all their pros and cons! 

Drywall

This wouldn’t be a complete list without starting with drywall as it’s the most affordable and common material that a variety of garages use.

You’ll need to remember that you’ll most likely be hanging shelves and heavy items on the walls of your garage, and this makes drywall more of a problem. You’ll need to drill all the way through the wooden studs of drywall in order to hold heavy items up for the longterm, meaning that your options when it comes to placement can be limited. 

Drywall doesn’t stand up well to damage. Over the years, you may accidentally hit it with tools, your car, and more. Dents and damage will be visually apparent until you fix the damage. 

However, drywall is beneficial when it comes to its safe fire rating. It also provides a smooth finish if you’d like to paint your garage easily or apply other finishes. If you want to get the job done right, hire the professionals. You can visit this website to get an idea of what to look in a drywall repair and installation company.

Plywood

Although its fire rating isn’t as good as drywall, a plywood garage wall is far stronger than drywall and can hold up to the occasional accident. If you want to hang up numerous tools and shelves, walls covered in plywood make it easier because you can screw them into the wood without worrying about damaging the entire wall.

Plywood is also a far more straightforward process when it comes to installation compared to drywall. There aren’t as many steps required. 

Vinyl Panels

If you live in a humid environment, you may want to consider attaching vinyl panels to your walls. They’re normally used in bathrooms for this reason, but if you spend a lot of time in your garage, you want to consider installing them there as well. 

These panels are water-resistant and come in a variety of patterns. They can also be attached directly to the studs. 

Metal Panels

You may want to consider metal panels if you live in an area that’s prone to fires during certain parts of the year. This is because they’re fire retardant and extremely durable.

The metal panels can also make the garage look more attractive as they’re able to reflect light and make the space appear larger. 

Slatwall Panels

The main issue with metal panels is that you won’t have as much opportunity to hang up tools and shelves. For that reason, slatwall panels can be a better choice.

Because of the horizontal lines created throughout your garage, slatwalls can help a garage look more polished and pristine. They also come in a variety of colors and can even be used with ribbon lighting for a modern touch. 

Slatwall panels enable you to hang any kind of object due to the hanging systems that they come with, and this also makes it easier to rearrange your garage if necessary. You won’t have to worry about putting holes in the wall beneath and repairing them if you want to change things around. 

Pegboards

Pegboards are a more affordable material for a garage wall compared to slatwall panels. They’re a great way to hang up tools and shelves without damaging the wall underneath. However, pegboards are beginning to look dated, and you need to take this into account if you care about the aesthetics of your garage. 

That said, pegboards can be easily painted or even spray painted. We recommend a matte or metallic black to give your garage a slick look and also so dirt and grime doesn’t show up as easily. 

Painting

Last but not least, it’s important to remember that if you’re on a budget, you don’t have to finish your garage wall with expensive materials. Painting your walls is the easiest and least expensive way to make your garage complete. 

However, if you’re painting on concrete you’ll want to make sure to seal the wall first so moisture doesn’t creep inside. You’ll also need to consider the fact that unless you’re painting on drywall, you’ll most likely need to touch up your paint throughout the years. 

Painting also doesn’t give you many options when it comes to easy wall storage solutions. If you’re painting on drywall, you’ll need to drill directly into the studs in order to ensure that heavy items and shelves stay up. 

If you’re painting on concrete, you may want to consider adding storage cabinets. 

Choosing the Best Garage Wall Material

When it comes to finding the best garage wall material, you’ll need to consider your own lifestyle as well as where you live. For instance, if you live in a humid environment and spend time in your garage working, you may want to consider vinyl or metal panels. 

On the other hand, if you’re concerned about the appearance of your garage, consider installing slatwall panels or pegboards. These materials are both practical and aesthetic as they come in a wide variety of colors. They also make it far easier to arrange the items in your garage without needing to repair the wall beneath. 

Ready for more home renovation tips? Keep reading the blog for more tips and tricks that you can’t get anywhere else.