Is ceiling required in the garage?

[Eric C]

Is ceiling required in the garage? The roof looks good but there is no ceiling. The wood beam are exposed. This is not typical in this area but im not sure if it matters.

 

[Randolph Kinney]

We have many homes with garages that are not "finished" interiors; ie - sheet rock walls and ceiling. Garage finish matters in the cost approach, however, in my markets, it does not matter in the SCA.

 

[JSmith43]

Is there a "bonus room" over the garage? If so, DW as a fire stop is often installed & required. Otherwise, just the interior garage wall to the roof line needs the fire stop.

In general, the DW shielding exposed timber inhibits quick spread of a fire, so local fire code may address this.

 

[Mr Rex]

The garage firewall is a relatively recent code requirement 1990s-2000 in many areas of the country.

 

[Don Clark]

Is ceiling required in the garage? The roof looks good but there is no ceiling. The wood beam are exposed. This is not typical in this area but im not sure if it matters.

Unless there is a room above the garage, why would you think a ceiling was necessary? Since you are in Florida, why do builders put a ceiling in a garage? Climate does not dictate such a thing. Even in my market, which generally has moderate temperatures, most garages do not have ceilings.

 

[mark hurlock]

Is ceiling required in the garage? The roof looks good but there is no ceiling. The wood beam are exposed. This is not typical in this area but im not sure if it matters.

Minimum building standards require separation from the residence and it's attic by means of minimum ½” gypsum board applied to the garage side.

If the dwelling was constructed before code enforcement, I would not argue if you considered it to be a safety concern.

 

[Mountain Man]

Attached garages must be finished for fire safety and carbon monoxide. Detached, it's just a workshop and who cares?

 

[Mile High Trout]

Eric, it's only an FHA issue if there is no firestop.

If you can see the attic of the main home through the attached garage, that's a problem.

But when the ceiling is there, you'd never know anyways.

Finishes are related to market expectations and do not actually play towards health safety and soundness of home and residents for FHA standard.

In my markets it's mixed, the finished garage or not.

Finishing is not the issue. For value it's commonality to the comparative market, and for safety it's issues like fire and air movement.

 

[Joyce Potts]

Unless there is a room above the garage, why would you think a ceiling was necessary? Since you are in Florida, why do builders put a ceiling in a garage? Climate does not dictate such a thing. Even in my market, which generally has moderate temperatures, most garages do not have ceilings.

I never thought of it that way. A garage without a ceiling in Florida. That way it wouldn't make any difference when it rains or hails. Besides, less chance of a the ceiling collapsing during a hurricane. Brilliant!

 

[Eric C]

thank you all for responding.