Portland Metro · Oregon
Garage Drywall Installation in Portland, OR
5/8" Type X fire-rated board, installed to code — new builds and retrofits.
Garages have their own code requirements — fire-rated board on the ceiling and any wall shared with living space. We install to code, finish clean and paint garages that stay bright and easy to keep clean.
What garage drywall installation really involves
Whether you're finishing a new-build garage, upgrading an unfinished garage after buying a home, or replacing old damaged garage drywall, the scope is the same: 5/8" Type X gypsum on any wall shared with living space and on the ceiling below any habitable space, per Oregon Residential Code. Non-shared walls can use 1/2" drywall unless local code says otherwise.
We hang the board tight and to a proper fastener pattern, tape with paper, three-coat mud to a Level 4 finish, then prime and paint with a scrubbable, moisture-tolerant paint. Corner beads are metal (not paper-only) where impact is likely, and we detail fire-rated seams at the house wall correctly — no gaps, no shortcut around the door threshold.
Many Portland-area garages are also getting converted to workshops, gyms, ADUs and home offices. When that's the plan, we insulate first, add moisture and vapor detailing appropriate for a heated space, then finish. Full ADU conversions are a separate service — see the ADU Drywall Services page.
What we cover under garage drywall installation
New-build garage rock and finish
5/8" Type X on shared walls and ceiling, 1/2" elsewhere, taped and finished to Level 4.
Unfinished garage rock-up
Bare-stud garages finished with fire-rated board, mudded, textured and painted.
Garage ceiling replacement
Old damaged or non-code garage ceilings replaced with 5/8" Type X.
Garage-to-house door assembly
Fire-rated detailing at the house wall reviewed so the assembly stays intact.
Insulation coordination
R-13 walls and R-38 ceiling insulation coordinated before drywall on heated garage projects.
Garage-to-workshop finish
Higher-grade Level 5 or paint-ready finish for workshop, gym and studio conversions.
Garage-to-ADU (see ADU page)
Full-code ADU conversions handled as a separate scope — insulation, fire, sound, finish, paint.
Our process
The same repeatable process on every garage drywall installation job — no surprises, no hand-offs.
- 01
Code check
Fire-rating and insulation requirements verified against Oregon Residential Code before we quote.
- 02
Insulation prep
Any missing insulation, blocking or vapor detailing coordinated before board.
- 03
Hang
5/8" Type X on shared walls and ceiling, 1/2" on non-shared walls; screws to spec.
- 04
Tape and mud
Paper tape, three-coat mud to Level 4 — no shortcuts on garage seams.
- 05
Fire-rated detailing
House-wall seams sealed, house-door assembly reviewed, no gaps left.
- 06
Texture
Light knockdown, orange peel or smooth — your choice.
- 07
Prime and paint
Primer plus two coats of scrubbable paint — bright, easy-clean garage finish.
Why choose Aesthetic Construction
Portland-metro garage finish is one of the most common calls we get after a home purchase — unfinished garages are still standard in a lot of Beaverton, Hillsboro, Aloha, Gresham and outer SE Portland builds. We finish them week in and week out.
- Code-correct fire-rated assemblies at the house wall.
- 5/8" Type X where required — not undersized to save cost.
- Metal corner beads where impact is likely.
- Scrubbable paint appropriate for a garage environment.
- Coordinated with your insulation, electrical and HVAC scopes.
- Licensed, bonded, insured — Oregon CCB #252320.
What you get
- Meets Oregon Residential Code for fire separation.
- Bright, clean, easy-to-maintain garage.
- Ready for cabinets, wall storage or shop equipment.
- Increases functional square footage and resale appeal.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to use 5/8" Type X drywall in my garage?
Yes on any wall shared with living space and on the ceiling if there's living space above — that's Oregon Residential Code. Other walls can be 1/2" unless local amendments say otherwise.
Can you insulate before drywall?
We don't install insulation ourselves but we coordinate closely with the insulator so batts and vapor detailing are correct before the rock goes up.
How much does garage drywall installation cost in Portland?
A typical two-car garage rock-through-paint runs $3,500–$6,500 depending on ceiling height and finish level. Free itemized estimate.
Do you paint the garage floor?
No — that's an epoxy specialist trade. We finish walls and ceiling only.
Can I convert my garage into a room?
Yes — for a full ADU conversion see our ADU Drywall Services page. For a workshop or gym conversion we insulate and finish as a heated space.
Do you install garage cabinets or wall storage?
No — we finish the wall so it's ready for whichever cabinet or storage system you install.
How long does a two-car garage take?
Typically 5–8 working days for rock, mud, texture, prime and paint.
Do you handle the fire-rated door assembly?
The door itself is a separate specialty. We verify the wall detailing is correct so the assembly rating is maintained.
Related services
Basement Drywall Installation
Moisture-aware, mold-resistant, finish-ready drywall for Portland basement remodels.
View detailsADU Drywall Services
Detached, attached and garage-conversion ADUs — code-correct fire and sound assemblies, finish, paint.
View detailsFire-Rated Drywall Installation
Type X and Type C 5/8" on garage walls, ADU separations, multi-family and commercial assemblies.
View detailsNew Construction Drywall
Full-house rock, tape, texture and paint for single-family, ADU and small multi-family.
View detailsRequest a free garage drywall installation estimate
Written, itemized and no obligation. Reply times average under 24 hours on weekdays.
Oregon CCB #252320. Fully insured on every project. Certificates on request.
Available across the Portland metro
Garage Drywall Installation is available in every city we serve.