Garage Drywall That Passes Inspection
The most common garage drywall error in Toronto is using standard 1/2-inch drywall on the fire separation wall between the garage and the living space. The Ontario Building Code requires 5/8-inch Type X on the garage side of this wall. We install it correctly the first time.
Whether you are finishing a bare garage, converting to a home gym, or replacing failed drywall in a renovation, we specify the right board for each wall based on its fire code status, moisture exposure, and intended finish level.
Garage Drywall Pricing in Toronto
- Single-car garage (hang, tape, Level 4 finish): $600 to $1,200
- Double garage: $1,000 to $1,800
- Full conversion with vapour barrier, Type X firewall, Level 4: $1,400 to $2,200
What Is Garage Drywall Installation?
Garage drywall installation is the boarding, taping, and finishing of a residential garage, with specific attention to the Ontario Building Code fire separation requirement for attached garages, the moisture exposure of exterior-facing walls, and the finish level appropriate for the intended use of the space. A correctly specified garage drywall job uses 5/8-inch Type X on all garage-to-living-space separation surfaces and USG Sheetrock Mold Tough on all exterior-adjacent walls.
What Does Garage Drywall Include?
- OBC fire separation assessment for attached garage walls and ceiling
- Vapour barrier confirmation before boarding exterior-facing walls
- 5/8-inch Type X fire-rated drywall on separation wall and ceiling (garage side)
- USG Sheetrock Mold Tough on exterior-facing non-separation walls
- Standard 1/2-inch drywall on interior partition walls
- Tape and Level 2 or Level 4 finish depending on use
- Documentation for building inspection if permit is involved
How Much Does Garage Drywall Cost in Toronto?
Single-car garage jobs run $600 to $1,200. Double garages run $1,000 to $1,800. Full conversions with vapour barrier, Type X firewall, and Level 4 finish run $1,400 to $2,200. Free on-site estimates with same-day quoting across the GTA.
Who Needs Garage Drywall?
Homeowners finishing an attached garage for storage or workshop use. Anyone converting a garage to a home gym, office, or living space. Sellers who need the garage drywalled before listing. Renovation contractors who need the drywall phase handled by a crew that understands fire code requirements.
What Garage Drywall Projects Include
Garage-to-house fire separation. Ontario Building Code Part 9 requires a fire-rated separation between an attached garage and the living space. The standard assembly is 5/8-inch Type X drywall on the garage side of the wall and ceiling. We build to the ULC-listed assembly so the installation passes the permit inspection on the first review.
Garage ceiling drywall over living space. When a bedroom or finished room sits directly above a garage, the ceiling assembly requires Type X fire separation and often thermal insulation to meet code. We frame, insulate, and finish this assembly to Part 9 requirements.
Detached garage interior finishing. Workshop garages and converted detached garages get standard 1/2-inch drywall throughout, taped, and finished to Level 4 ready for paint. Moisture-resistant board in any area near a vehicle wash bay or floor drain.
Garage drywall repair after water or impact damage. Vehicles backing into garage walls, water infiltration from unprotected eaves, and rot from concrete floor contact all require drywall section replacement. We cut back to the nearest stud, assess the framing moisture content, and install new board with the correct Type X spec where required.
Insulated garage wall installation. Spray foam or batt insulation in garage walls followed by Type X drywall is the standard approach for clients converting a cold garage to a conditioned workshop or gym. We coordinate with the insulation contractor on the install sequence.
Fire Code Requirements for Toronto Garages
The attached garage is one of the most consistently audited locations during a Toronto building permit inspection. Ontario Building Code Part 9 specifies that the garage-to-house separation must achieve a 30-minute fire resistance rating, achieved by 5/8-inch Type X drywall on the garage-facing surface of all shared walls and the ceiling assembly between the garage and any occupied room above.
Standard 1/2-inch drywall is not acceptable in this position, regardless of what a previous contractor may have installed. During renovation permit inspections in Scarborough, Etobicoke, and Brampton, we regularly see older homes with non-compliant garage separations that need to be upgraded before the permit is issued. We upgrade these to the correct assembly as part of the renovation scope.
When the Framing Needs Attention First
Garage drywall installed over framing that has moisture damage or structural issues won’t stay in place or pass inspection. Toronto attached garages in pre-1980 homes often have wood framing that has been exposed to freeze-thaw cycling, vehicle exhaust condensation, and seasonal humidity variation. We check framing moisture content before boarding and flag any members that are above 19 percent or show visible rot.
If the garage framing needs remediation before drywall, we can either coordinate with a contractor who does that work or include light framing repairs (sister studs, blocking, replacement of isolated damaged members) in scope. What we won’t do is install fire-rated drywall over framing that will compromise the assembly’s performance.
Where We Work
Garage drywall installation in Toronto and across the GTA, with frequent calls from Brampton, Mississauga, and Vaughan where attached garages are common. All GTA communities served.
