rv garage

Congrats on your new (to be) garage.
I think the wall covering is a matter of preference. I like OSB or Plywood on the walls because you can nail or screw into it for hanging tools, etc..
But, in my opinion, the sheetrock looks better. I would go with OSB because it's more practical.
Consider going with 3/4 inch plywood or OSB rather than 1/2 inch.
It costs a little more but makes a solid wall. JMO

You can always go back later and cover the OSB with sheetrock.

I don't know about the OSB being fire retardant like sheetrock.

Another vote for the OSB, for the reasons gbopp mentioned above. Good Luck and Happy Camping !!

OSB is not fire retardant unless you order it special for that.
Sheetrock is naturally fire retardant.

OSB would be a lot cheaper but NO fire protection if that's an issue if there is something close by. I would go OSB in shop area and drywall elsewhere.

Yeah, standard OSB will lite up as quick as any dried lumber.

If you like the look of the sheet rock, you could always spray the OSB white or your preferred color. It will maintain an OSB texture through the paint but could help make it look a bit more finished.

We did a remodel of our house garage when we had to strip the ceiling to have access to the floor and walls of a bonus room above. Couldn't keep it cool in the summer so had it foamed. Not being a big fan of sheetrock in a garage I also stripped the walls since there was some damage after 15 years of use. I went to Lowe's and found some 4X8 sheets of siding with a woodgrain texture and grooves to make it look like planks. It is lapped on both sides so you get a clean joint. I painted it with a good exterior semi-gloss and after 2 years it still looks like the day I did it. I sheetrocked the ceiling by the way.

The sheets are a fiber of some kind but not MDF, I'm pretty sure. I didn't pay any attention to the fire rating if there is one. Another issue is the 4X8 size. I'm sure you have taller walls than that so if you are going for a look you would have to deal with some seams that join the top and bottom of the sheets. The last issue would be cost. Quite a bit pricier than OSB but if you use sheetrock and finish it out the cost difference might not be so much.

I also have a separate shop/rv garage that required some fancy footwork to get approval to build. It had to match the house which included some bricking and siding. I separated my shop from the rv garage with a dividing wall. My shop walls and ceiling are also covered with 4X8 sheets of exterior siding but it was a plywood product from 15 years ago. Since I didn't want to have climate control in the rv side I just have exposed studs and rafters.

One other thing and then I'll quit. I hope you can get water, electric and a sewer dump to your new building. I have 50 amp electric and the sewer dump in mine. I have an outside faucet on our house that is about 50' away from the garage so I use it for water. The city inspector only allowed my dump after I changed it from a dump to a 4" cleanout. Sure makes it easier to travel not having to worry about finding a dump, er cleanout, along the way.

I used OSB in my shop. I used Kilz to prime the boards and added one coat of a paint that was waterbed but flowed and looked like enamel. REALLY brightened up the shop. Yes being able to attach to it is a plus. I used coarse thread drywall screws to attach mine so each sheet can be removed easily.

Sheetrock for fire protection. Also once taped it will act as a better barrier for bugs and wind. To save money you can have them "fire tape" the sheetrock rather than fully finishing it to a level 3 or 4.

Once the sheetrock is up you can selectively place plywood or 2x lumber horizontally against the studs where you need backing for attaching things.

IMO plywood is a much better material than orientated strand board which has poor holding power for screws, nails, cleats for shelving etc. OSB also falls apart when wet.

JTrac wrote:
We did a remodel of our house garage when we had to strip the ceiling to have access to the floor and walls of a bonus room above. Couldn't keep it cool in the summer so had it foamed. Not being a big fan of sheetrock in a garage I also stripped the walls since there was some damage after 15 years of use. I went to Lowe's and found some 4X8 sheets of siding with a woodgrain texture and grooves to make it look like planks. It is lapped on both sides so you get a clean joint. I painted it with a good exterior semi-gloss and after 2 years it still looks like the day I did it. I sheetrocked the ceiling by the way.

The sheets are a fiber of some kind but not MDF, I'm pretty sure. I didn't pay any attention to the fire rating if there is one. Another issue is the 4X8 size. I'm sure you have taller walls than that so if you are going for a look you would have to deal with some seams that join the top and bottom of the sheets. The last issue would be cost. Quite a bit pricier than OSB but if you use sheetrock and finish it out the cost difference might not be so much...

I don't think this applies to the OP but just an FYI I wouldn't recommend this approach detailed in this posters conditions. Where I live, a fire wall is required between a garage and any living spaces. I don't think MDF, OSB or other similar materials would qualify. It could result in somewhere down the line removing the walls and ceilings and redoing them.

troubledwaters wrote:

JTrac wrote:
We did a remodel of our house garage when we had to strip the ceiling to have access to the floor and walls of a bonus room above. Couldn't keep it cool in the summer so had it foamed. Not being a big fan of sheetrock in a garage I also stripped the walls since there was some damage after 15 years of use. I went to Lowe's and found some 4X8 sheets of siding with a woodgrain texture and grooves to make it look like planks. It is lapped on both sides so you get a clean joint. I painted it with a good exterior semi-gloss and after 2 years it still looks like the day I did it. I sheetrocked the ceiling by the way.

The sheets are a fiber of some kind but not MDF, I'm pretty sure. I didn't pay any attention to the fire rating if there is one. Another issue is the 4X8 size. I'm sure you have taller walls than that so if you are going for a look you would have to deal with some seams that join the top and bottom of the sheets. The last issue would be cost. Quite a bit pricier than OSB but if you use sheetrock and finish it out the cost difference might not be so much...

I don't think this applies to the OP but just an FYI I wouldn't recommend this approach detailed in this posters conditions. Where I live, a fire wall is required between a garage and any living spaces. I don't think MDF, OSB or other similar materials would qualify. It could result in somewhere down the line removing the walls and ceilings and redoing them.

Yes, a firewall between garage and living space is code in CA and I am pretty sure most everywhere in US. The garage should also be airtight between garage and house to keep any CO2 gasses from passing. If there is a door between garage and house it must be a UL listed fire door assembly and fire/smoke gasketed as well as self closing.