Wall finishes for a small welding shop

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Hey folks,So I've been working for the last year on and off on building a garage/shop for myself, two bays separated by a wall. I'm putting up drywall in the storage area and parking bay, but continue to be a bit stumped as to the best wall finishes in the welding area.My first idea had been concrete board up to 4' (nixed after finding that concrete board is only easily available in 3x5 shower sizes). Right now I'm thinking drywall to 4' (relatively fireproof?) then plywood, OSB, or pegboard to 8'. Any other thoughts or suggestions, ideas?--Steve---Miller Millermatic 210Thermal Dynamics PakMaster 100XL PlusBuilding a new garage/shop from the ground up...
Reply:why not put metal roofing or siding on the wallstrailblazer 302thunderbolt ac dc machine Hobart fluxcoreAHP tig 200x 2015
Reply:Yup. Galvalume is as cheap as drywall and no floating and sanding...And go all the way up with it...folks here(several) sell it wholesale and will roll it to many different patterns and then chop it to any length free...It is sold by SQFT here...I have bought many hundred LBs of it really cheap...Hang it horizontally and save time...Just zip in the self taping screws.
Reply:I would not use anything with holes in it.Klutch 220si mig , stick, and dc tigHobart 140 AHP ALPHA 200X 2016Lotos LTP5000DSmith O/P
Reply:Thanks for the suggestions! I had definitely been considering metal siding but was told on a different forum that I could expect grinding sparks and weld slag to stick and discolor metal siding? Would be happy to be wrong.Anyone know who I should be talking to for materials (I live in the Phoenix metro area)?---Miller Millermatic 210Thermal Dynamics PakMaster 100XL PlusBuilding a new garage/shop from the ground up...
Reply:I put a 2" strip of cement board tight against the concrete floor of my garage where the welding would be done and then sheetrock all the way up. The cement board has two purposes, to keep any sparks from rolling into the bottom plate and protect the sheetrock from any water on the floor since our car is parked there all the time and we live in snow country.                                           MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:I am 3/4 done putting new steel siding up inside my shop.  For many years I did not want to use steel siding because my studs are vertical. Well I wish I had used the steel siding years ago.  The white siding makes the shop mutch brighter inside and the walls wash off easy. I can also grind now without worrying about sparks starting a fire as long as I grind so the sparks do not fly up above the 11' walls.  I installed my siding vertically even though the studs are vertical and the siding is solid.  I would not put it up horizontally because of dirt and dust settling on the ribs. It looks bad or you have to clean it off. With my studs being vertical sometimes the seam does not fall on a stud. When that happens I just us self taping screws to screw the two overlaping pieces together. No problem and the siding does not look wavy at all. I just mark where the studs are and fasten them down. The toe plate and sill plate I fasten it with one screw between each rib.  I am very happy with it and I wish I had done it years ago.
Reply:only 3x5 concrete board.....  go with hardi  or cement fiber board home depot stocke it in 4x8.  personally i hope to do my shop this summer and cant decide between hardi board or drywall.  both fire resistant, i think drywall is more user freindly.  i wont be using any galvalume or metal, just dont like the look.
Reply:Why wouldn't you just run a couple of girts (horizontal pieces of lumber) across your walls at 4', 8', etc and then install the siding? Much easier, the proper way of doing things, and you always have a stud to screw into. Originally Posted by thegaryI am 3/4 done putting new steel siding up inside my shop.  For many years I did not want to use steel siding because my studs are vertical. Well I wish I had used the steel siding years ago.  The white siding makes the shop mutch brighter inside and the walls wash off easy. I can also grind now without worrying about sparks starting a fire as long as I grind so the sparks do not fly up above the 11' walls.  I installed my siding vertically even though the studs are vertical and the siding is solid.  I would not put it up horizontally because of dirt and dust settling on the ribs. It looks bad or you have to clean it off. With my studs being vertical sometimes the seam does not fall on a stud. When that happens I just us self taping screws to screw the two overlaping pieces together. No problem and the siding does not look wavy at all. I just mark where the studs are and fasten them down. The toe plate and sill plate I fasten it with one screw between each rib.  I am very happy with it and I wish I had done it years ago.
Reply:Originally Posted by Hillbilly WelderWhy wouldn't you just run a couple of girts (horizontal pieces of lumber) across your walls at 4', 8', etc and then install the siding? Much easier, the proper way of doing things, and you always have a stud to screw into.
Reply:5/8" Drywall is Fire rated.No need to do anything but paint it. Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli15/8" Drywall is Fire rated.No need to do anything but paint it.
Reply:Originally Posted by thegaryAgain and again and again.
Reply:I think the metal would look the best, and since it's smooth and shiny the dustprobably doesn't stick too bad, and can be dusted off easily. Might think about bright white on the ceiling and off white or light gray on the walls?Total white might be an overload on the optic nerves....Can someone post member name(s) of the folks on this forum that do sell it wholesale? Thanks!Ancient collection:Airco 300 HeliwelderAirco 250 Aircomatic MIG Feeder+Midget GunAirco Dip/Stick 160Airco 180AC Engine Drv.Smith Oxy-PL-Tec PM50DIY Positioner Linde electric-eye table (CNC someday!)150 tons of Machine Tools/Fab
Reply:Originally Posted by sivyThanks for the suggestions! I had definitely been considering metal siding but was told on a different forum that I could expect grinding sparks and weld slag to stick and discolor ?
Reply:Just as a reminder, welding in a area with sheetmetal walls there maybe a issue with a welding flash bouncing off the metal. It would be like welding in a fan room surrounded by duct work. I have done it and it could bounce off the metal behind you into the back open  hood and then to your eyes. My vote is drywall.
Reply:Metal siding will cause more of a noise effect than drywall or plywood will.
Reply:I'm thinking about just doing drywall to 4' (prime hot work area) and something else above. It's a detached garage -- do I need actual fire rated (5/8) or can basic 1/2" do?---Miller Millermatic 210Thermal Dynamics PakMaster 100XL PlusBuilding a new garage/shop from the ground up...
Reply:my shop is 40x45x14...the walls and ceiling are all white metal siding. I'd never do anything else...-DoogieMiller 350PMiller Trailblazer 325 EFI w/ Excel PowerLincoln LN25 suitcase welderXMT 304/22a feederMiller Syncrowave 350LXMiller EconotigHobart Handler 140(2) Uni-Hydro 42-14Hypertherm 65 plasmaWEBB Gap bed lathe
Reply:Anyone know a siding vendor/manufacturer in the PHX area? Anyone on the forum?---Miller Millermatic 210Thermal Dynamics PakMaster 100XL PlusBuilding a new garage/shop from the ground up...
Reply:Originally Posted by sivyI'm thinking about just doing drywall to 4' (prime hot work area) and something else above. It's a detached garage -- do I need actual fire rated (5/8) or can basic 1/2" do?
Reply:I like the guys idea of using the 5/8 sheetrock then cement board over it from the floor up to say 5 feet or so.   all around the room or just where your going to weld. then I would put the thinnest layer of sheet metal over the cement  board and put a small metal bead molding on top of it all the way around wherever the cement board is the metal over the cement board would pref aluminum or stainless. really thin. coil really  then your code compliant, safe and the surface can easily be washed with your low setting powerwasher if you keep the penetrations through it to a minimum.   Seems with just a sheetrock shop walls all I ever do is clean up the metal dust.  man I would love to break out the hose and just blast it. oh remeber to keep the sheetrock a shim off the floor so no water gets wicked up the walls.....!! I cant believe people still can get caught making that mistake!! hope this helps and send us pictures when your done with whatever you do.  I need to do something here in my place as I am welding more and more and hate the metal dust and fire hazard routine I need to do before I start welding9 buckets of water wet the floor etc. it bs. jMillerMatic 200Miller 30A Pro Spool Gun wc-24Miller "Plazcut"
Reply:As for keeping drywall off the ground, I have a 4-8" stem wall for that :-)---Miller Millermatic 210Thermal Dynamics PakMaster 100XL PlusBuilding a new garage/shop from the ground up...
Reply:I would use the cement board instead of sheet rock backing it. on the bottom. you could use hardi board too. They are both made to be fire resistance. hardi board would give a nicer appearance than cement board. This way you will not have to worry has much about the joint of the two. Both the sheet rock  and cement or hardi board can be seamed just like drywall (taped and mudded ).Klutch 220si mig , stick, and dc tigHobart 140 AHP ALPHA 200X 2016Lotos LTP5000DSmith O/P
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1Just as a reminder, welding in a area with sheetmetal walls there maybe a issue with a welding flash bouncing off the metal. It would be like welding in a fan room surrounded by duct work. I have done it and it could bounce off the metal behind you into the back open  hood and then to your eyes. My vote is drywall.Good luck with that shop.... What a sweet space!!  The concrete footing going high up off the floor around the dwelling will surely help you to "weld" safe the shop.  keep us up informed with pictures on how you progress.  I find it very interesting. Thank you. John ps  yes I am having flashes like i need to buy more machines now!!!  lol..lol!!MillerMatic 200Miller 30A Pro Spool Gun wc-24Miller "Plazcut"
Reply:that is a sweet spot. whats up stairs? bathroom or just open space?If the conversation isn’t money, then I’ll see you later.