DIY Garage Makeover That Looks as Good as It Lasts

The Goal: Create a Clean, Modern Garage That Feels Intentionally Finished

While planning his garage build, Mike spent time researching inspiration and materials that would help the space feel cohesive with the rest of his home.

“When I was building my garage, I was searching online for ideas to finish the walls and ceiling.”

Design mattered just as much as durability. Mike gravitated toward a familiar color palette—one he already loved indoors.

“I like grays and whites. I have gray painted walls and white ceilings in my home. I think the combo looks fresh and airy, goes well with just about any flooring and looks timeless.”

The Challenge: Find a Durable, Good-Looking Alternative to Drywall

Drywall wasn’t appealing, but the usual alternatives didn’t inspire confidence either.

“I was not crazy about using drywall but didn’t know if I would be able to find any other options that would look good. I was familiar with plywood, wood paneling and the thin PVC and fiberglass panels available at the local big box stores and none of those appealed to me.”

Mike needed something that delivered a clean, finished look—without the compromises that often come with traditional garage materials.

The Solution: Trusscore Delivers the Look and an Easier Install

Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard is a rigid PVC wall and ceiling panel system designed for spaces like garages, workshops, and utility areas. It’s moisture-resistant, impact-resistant, easy to clean, and engineered to install quickly—without mudding, sanding, or painting.

For Mike, the installation experience was a major differentiator.

“Installation was a breeze. I used a mitre saw with a backwards blade for most of my cuts. Cutting out for flush mounted lights and outlets I used a jigsaw. Based on the size of my garage and the range of lengths that Trusscore offers, I was able to install without any seams.”

He ran the ceiling panels wall to wall and installed the wall panels vertically, creating a seamless, professional finish. 

“Once the first panel was level, the others just slide into place and the install goes very quickly. All of the available trims makes it really easy to trim around windows, doors, and corners.”

The trim system made detailing straightforward, and the time savings compared to drywall were significant.

“The best part is once it was installed, I was done! If I installed drywall, I would then have to mud it, sand it, prime, paint etc. That process would be significantly more time consuming and labor intensive.”

The Outcome: A Worry-Free Garage That Looks Great and Performs Long Term

After living with the space through seasonal temperature swings, Mike’s initial concerns disappeared.

“I originally was afraid that it would look cheap and plasticky, but that is not the case at all. I think it looks rich, modern, and classy and is perfect for a space such as a garage.”

Beyond appearance, the practical benefits stand out in daily use.

“It is super strong and so easy to clean. A wet microfiber towel wipes away any smudges or smears," says Mike. Unlike drywall, there’s no stress about damage, stains, or long-term upkeep. “I don’t worry about scratching or dinging them up like drywall would. No mold or cracking joints to worry about with fluctuations in temperature. In fact, it is simply worry free.”

The result is a garage that consistently gets noticed—and questions. “Everyone that sees it always asks me, ‘what are these walls?’”

For Mike, Trusscore delivered exactly what he was after: a finished garage that looks intentional, holds up over time, and stays easy to live with.