Converting a garage offers inexpensive living space.
Converting a garage adds valuable living space to your home without the high cost of building an addition. During the conversion process, you will run electrical wiring and add ductwork to make the new area as comfortable as the rest of the house. In some cases, you may have to take down some or all of the Sheetrock, but not always. Sheetrock is a brand name of drywall made by USG Corporation. It is similar to other drywall brands.
Wiring
If you want an overhead light and there is adequate space between the ceiling joists and the roof rafters, an electrician may be able to run the wire from inside the wall to the center of the ceiling without tearing out the Sheetrock.
If attic space is tight, however, or you want multiple ceiling fixtures, it may be beneficial to remove the Sheetrock panels and complete the wiring from beneath.
Ducting
Ducting is usually large and cumbersome. If you're installing ducting in the ceiling, it's probably easier if you take down the drywall panels, at least between the joists where you'll run the ducts.
You don't have to tear off all the panels. You can cut the drywall along the center of the studs and pull off only the sections that will allow you to install the duct. Once the duct is in place, you can use the old panel you cut off as a template to cut a matching panel from new Sheetrock to install in the opening.
Insulation
If you don't have to tear out the ceiling drywall for wiring or ducting purposes, you can install blown-in cellulose fiber insulation quickly. For this purpose, it's best to leave the old panels in place, which provide the base to hold the blown-in insulation.
Considerations
Once drywall comes down, put new drywall up in its place. The old screw holes, cracks and breaks that result from taking it off make it unacceptable to use again.
You might want to remove old drywall if it's substandard for interior finish. If the garage originally had thin, 1/4-inch Sheetrock panels, the ceiling in your new converted room may appear warped. Panels at least 1/2-inch thick offer a smoother ceiling surface.
If you're leaving the old panels up -- you can tape them smooth, or you can spray or roll on ceiling texture for a professional looking finish.
Related posts
Cover ceiling cracks with a second drywall layer.Impact, moisture or structural settling can wreak havoc on your home's walls and ceilings. When the damage results in a cracked ceiling, you can tr...
Sheetrocking a ceiling is more complicated, and more physically difficult, than sheetrocking a wall. The problem, put simply, is gravity. Holding big, heavy sheets of drywall up over your head, th...
Doubling up on drywall can reduce noise transmission.Noise travels from room to room but is somewhat reduced by wall thickness. Doubling up on drywall panel installation is one method homeowners c...
Framing a soffit with wood and Sheetrock is a great way to conceal heating ducts and pipes.While exposed heating ducts are an interesting addition to an industrial decor, many people choose to hid...
Drywall can be installed on the ceiling without the aid of a hydraulic lift, if the height is between 7 and 12 feet. Instead of renting a lift, invite two or three of your friends over for the &qu...
