How to design the walls and ceiling in a garage?
A garage is not just a place to park a car. A modern garage serves as a workshop and storage space for tools, so its interior should be properly designed. Wall and floor finishes in the garage are often done “by residual principle,” even though the practical importance of these elements of interior design cannot be underestimated.
Below, we will discuss what the design of a garage should be like, what the shortcomings of our usual solutions in finishing are, and provide several options for interior decoration.
REQUIREMENTS FOR WALL AND CEILING DECORATION
Unlike the garage floor, which is made as durable and wear-resistant as possible, the decoration of walls and ceilings often does not receive proper attention. However, if you analyze it, both the walls and the ceiling in the garage are subject to significant operational loads, so the requirements for them should be very serious. Specifically:
- Mechanical strength.
- Resistance to corrosion or deformation due to moisture.
- Minimal flammability.
- Practicality (ease of cleaning from dust and organic contaminants).
- Easy installation.
- Ability to hide hidden communications behind the finish.
The design of the garage also matters. Agree that a room where a modern new car will be parked should look appropriate: untidiness and peeling brick walls would be inappropriate here.
DRAWBACKS OF TRADITIONAL SOLUTIONS
Our traditional solutions for garage finishing have a number of drawbacks, which is why they are increasingly being abandoned. Examples of such solutions include:
- Cladding the garage walls or leveling the ceiling with drywall. Despite the practicality and affordability of this material, it is not suitable for a garage: it lacks strength, and under the influence of moisture, drywall cladding can deteriorate.
- Cladding the walls with plastic panels. Unlike drywall, plastic is not susceptible to moisture, but its strength is clearly insufficient.
- Plastering the walls or ceiling in the garage. Everything depends on the quality of the plaster. However, even in the most modern compositions, there are drawbacks: firstly, soot from exhaust fumes gradually accumulates in the pores, and secondly, almost all plaster compositions gradually lose moisture. In addition, plastered surfaces need to be painted to maintain their attractiveness.
These are the “civilized” ways of finishing the walls and ceiling in the garage. It’s probably best not to consider options like simply painting the brick walls or concrete ceiling.
METAL IN GARAGE DESIGN
Thanks to metal rails on the ceiling and walls, the garage design can acquire a modern and stylish look with numerous advantages:
- Minimalist style: Metal rails have a clean and modern appearance, making them ideal for creating a minimalist garage design. They add simplicity and elegance to the space.
- Spatial effect: A high ceiling with metal rails creates a sense of more space in the garage. The open structure of the rails makes the room brighter and more comfortable.
- Functionality: Metal rails on the ceiling can be used to hang various accessories and equipment, making the garage more functional. You can hang tools, bicycles, or even industrial lighting fixtures or storage systems.
- Additional storage space: With the help of metal rails on the walls, you can easily create a system of shelves and hooks for storing tools and equipment. This allows you to efficiently use the space and keep the garage organized.
- Modern appearance: Metal rails can be designed in modern design styles such as industrial or minimalism. They add sophistication and expressiveness to the garage.
- Ventilation: Open metal rails allow better air circulation in the garage, which is especially important in high humidity conditions.
- Design freedom: Metal rails allow you to experiment with design. You can choose the color, texture, and size of the rails to create a unique garage interior.
With metal rails on the ceiling and walls, your garage can become more than just a storage space; it can become a true design statement. They combine functionality and style, making your garage more convenient and attractive.
METAL WALL CLADDING
What garage design can be considered modern and practical? Many choose metal as the primary material for interior finishing, and there are plenty of arguments in favor of metal cladding:
- High strength.
- Resistance to corrosion (when using modern panels with powder coating).
- Ability to install over thermal insulation.
- Possibility of concealed wiring for utilities.
- Easy installation.
The “Mehbud” factory also offers materials that can be used for garage finishing in line with modern design trends. Metal slats are ideal for cladding garage walls. They are available in two varieties:
- Galvanized steel slats with a polymer coating of 0.45-0.7 mm (RAL colors).
- Aluminum sheet slats with a polymer coating of 0.5-0.8 mm (RAL colors).
Both types of metal wall slats come in widths ranging from 150 to 525 mm. It is possible to manufacture slats with lengths from 1 to 12 meters, so even a relatively large garage can be clad with these slats from the inside with a minimal number of seams.
In addition to the practical advantages listed above, metal wall slats also have aesthetic benefits:
- The width of the slats can be chosen to harmonize with the area and height of the room.
- The ability to manufacture slats in any RAL color makes decoration easy, allowing you to realize virtually any garage design, from classic monochrome options to extravagant colorful solutions.
- Finally, cladding with metal slats retains its attractiveness for a long time. This is ensured not only by effective protection against corrosion for steel or aluminum but also because the surface covered with a decorative polymer layer has minimal porosity, does not accumulate dirt, and is easy to clean.
Just like with other options for cladding using metal panels, the higher initial cost is offset by the long service life: walls in a garage clad with steel or aluminum slats can last for decades without the need for repairs and with minimal maintenance.
METAL SUSPENDED CEILING IN THE GARAGE
The ceiling in the garage is a crucial structure. Firstly, during interior decoration, we need to conceal the ceiling, and secondly, utility lines (wires and ventilation ducts) should be placed above the ceiling, with built-in lights for effective lighting. The optimal option for ceiling finishing is metal products.
The “Mehbud” factory offers the following options:
- Rack Ceiling: Firstly, it complements the wall cladding using metal slats perfectly. Secondly, using narrow ceiling slats allows not only finishing the ceiling but also visually changing the proportions of the room to make the garage look more appealing.
- Cubic shaped ceiling: A great solution for modern garage designs. It’s relatively simple to implement, although you need to prepare the ceiling properly because it will be visible between individual cuboid-shaped slats. However, the resulting ceiling will look very attractive, transforming the garage into more than just a technical space. This is especially suitable if you’re storing expensive cars.
- Ceiling Panels: Another practical option suitable for spacious garages. Square or rectangular ceiling panels made from thin sheet metal with a polymer protective decorative coating are mounted on a lightweight metal frame and cover the entire ceiling area. Some panels can be replaced with standard built-in light fixtures—perfect if you’re using the garage as a workshop as well.
Using metal slats, cassettes, and panels in garage design is one of the most popular trends today. These materials offer clear advantages: high strength, resistance to moisture (thanks to durable polymers), and fire resistance. Their stylish and modern appearance is another undeniable advantage.
ADVANTAGES OF METAL CEILINGS
Metal ceilings for a garage have numerous advantages that make them a popular choice among homeowners. Here are some of the key benefits:
- Strength and Durability: The metal used for ceilings is highly durable and resistant to mechanical damage, bending, and deformation. It can withstand heavy loads, which is essential in a garage where heavy machinery and equipment may be stored.
- Fire Resistance: Metal ceilings have a high degree of fire resistance, making them a safe choice for garages where flammable materials and other fire-resistant substances may be present.
- Easy Maintenance: Metal ceilings are easy to clean from dust, dirt, and other contaminants. They can be wiped with a damp cloth or mild cleaning agents to maintain cleanliness.
- Moisture Resistance: Metal is resistant to moisture, making it an ideal choice for garages where humidity levels and temperature fluctuations can occur.
- Quick Installation: Metal ceilings typically come with a special mounting system that allows for quick and easy installation, saving time and effort during renovation.
- Corrosion Resistance: Many metal materials have coatings that protect them from corrosion and oxidation, ensuring a long service life and preserving their aesthetic appearance.
- Style and Design: Metal ceilings are available in various styles, textures, and colors, allowing you to choose the optimal design for your garage. They can give the space a modern, industrial, or classic look.
- Built-in Lighting: Metal ceilings often serve as a suspension for built-in light fixtures, providing uniform and bright lighting throughout the garage.
- Cost-Efficiency: Compared to some other materials like wood or gypsum board, metal ceilings can be a more cost-effective option, especially considering their long lifespan.
Metal ceilings are a practical, aesthetic, and durable solution for garage spaces. They add a touch of modernity and functionality, transforming the garage into a comfortable interior for work and relaxation, not just a storage area.