I used OSB on mine mainly due to:
- ease of removal should it ever be necessary,
- hard to poke a hole in it when I get clumsy,
- easy to hang small tools and shelves on when necessary,
- easy to paint (primer then bright white).

I've not regretted using OSB in the least!
Grandpa John

michigan_t wrote:
Hi,

I just moved into a new house that has a huge attached garage. The rear
area of the garage
(apprx 700 ft^2) already has piping in the floor to heat that area.
The previous owner never got
around to finishing this workshop area, and this is now my #1 priority.

I have already added outlets every 10 feet or so, including 220
circuits for air compressor
and welder. (i do some metalworking as well...) I just insulated the
walls with R13 with the
vapor barrier backing, and now I am wondering what to put on next.
sheetrock, or osb???

The wall between the house and this back area of the garage is already
insulated and drywalled,
and I am wondering if i need to continue drywall all the way around for
fire protection
(since it is an attached garage, if it burns down, the whole house
could go up???)

Another point is that i am planning on using a small woodburner in
there to heat the area,
plus heat up the glycol that i will be pumping into the floor.) I
wouldn't be so concerned
about fire safety except for this point.

I would prefer to do OSB for cost and ease of hanging anything
anywhere, and I have
read the several other posts about this topic, but there hasn't been
much discussion
about osb vs. drywall from a fire safety point of view.

Also, is there any code requirements about what to use in an attached
garage?

Any help would be appreciated.