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Can I use plywood between garage and living space of my house?

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

The code requires 1/2” drywall—or a material of comparable fire resistance—for a fire separation between an attached garage and the house. Plywood is too flammable to be acceptable. But drywall is only required on the common walls with the house, and the ceiling when the attic above is continuous with the house attic. So you can use plywood, pegboard, and whatever other wallboard material you want instead of drywall on the other three walls of the garage. 

    And, of course, you can apply these materials over the drywall on the common walls and ceiling if you want. See our blog post What are the code requirements for fire separation between an attached garage and the house? for more details.

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Here’s links to a collection of some of our other blog posts about GARAGES AND CARPORTS:  

What is the difference between a carport and a garage? 

Why is my garage ceiling sagging? 


Why are there score line grooves in the concrete floor of the garage? 

What are the common problems when a homeowner converts a garage to conditioned living space, such as a family room?
 
 • What are the code requirements for fire separation between an attached garage and the house?

Can a bedroom door open into the garage?

Does an attached garage that is only used for storage or as a workshop, and not for parking a car, still have to comply with building code requirements for a garage?

How far apart should electric receptacle outlets be placed in a garage? 

Why if the garage door track a white tube?

 What is the raised metal plate on the floor under the garage door?

 Why do I have to hold down the button to close the garage door? 

How can I check my garage door to make sure it is safe?  

What does a home inspector check on an electric garage door? 

• Can the a garage door header bracket and torsion springs be mounted through drywall? 

How can I tell if cracks in the garage floor are a problem or not? 

Is tempered/safety glass required by the building code for windows and doors? 

Why can't I use my home's central air conditioning system to cool the garage? 

 What is the unusual garage door opener mounted on the wall above the door and marked "Wayne Dalton”?

When were GFCI receptacle outlets first required in the garage?

• Why are most pull-down attic ladders not approved by building code for installation in a garage? 

• Is the wood anchor pad for a garage door rail and torsion spring supposed to be nailed or bolted to the wall? 

Is a ceiling receptacle outlet for a garage door opener required to be GFCI protected? 

     Visit our STRUCTURE AND ROOMS page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.

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