Garage Wall Finishing Question...

[Scarpozzi]

I was going to post in OT, but this is a real garage question!

I built a 2 car garage and am finishing up the electrical...soon to insulate the walls.

What I did was pour footers, lay 8" wide concrete foundation blocks, then I built my 2x4 walls on the block a few blocks high above the grade of the floor. (so it's a 3" wide wooden wall bolted on a much wider block wall)

This makes a 4" shelf that goes around the room about 18" off the floor. I know I'm not the only one to build a garage this way. I'm just curious what the best way to finish that off to make it look good. Around the room, I'm going to have work benches, cabinets, a kegerator or two, a few refridgerators and freezers.... All will be 4"+ away from the wall because of the stem wall. I don't mind, but wonder if there's any way to make that look cooler or more finished.

Any ideas or opinions?

 

[natto fire]

Might check if your cooler(s) have any clearance requirements. I'd say you can build a shelf or something similar to enclose it, but I personally would be more concerned with the condensor coils coils getting enough air over aesthetics.

If you want it more flush with the wall, you could still do an enclosure, but build it up to your 18" height, and maybe a clever ventilation cavity as well. I'm assuming some of the appliances can go underneath a work bench that is built extra deep to accommodate your 4" stem wall as well?

 

[drnickriviera]

I'd just drywall down to the block, then paint the block. If you really want it nice, fur out the 2X wall, liquid nail 2X2 on the block wall then you can drywall all the way to the ground.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I would consider bringing the walls out, but I'd have to redo all my electrical in there. Not a big deal, but I'm having trouble enough finding time to get that stuff completed and inspected.

I guess I may just paint the block or epoxy coat it when I do the floors next year.

I've got to tie in the plumbing to upstairs and decide what HVAC approach to go for the new square footage, so I may just opt to run my ductwork exposed overhead around the outside edges of the garage to go upstairs.

Here's a picture of what the wall looks like, but I've moved that panel to the left side of the door and I have recepticle and switch boxes wired around the room already awaiting inspection.

 

[drnickriviera]

Your code doesn't call for hurricane ties and strapping for the framing, or is that all old work?

Another option is to put a slurry or stucco like finish on the block.