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How to insulate the whole garage


The garage is just a space where many can park their car and store their tools. They don't see it as an area with so much potential. A garage can be a workspace, a place to entertain guests, or a place to relax and watch a game. Your garage should feel like an extension of your home. The main reason garages get a bad rap is that they often get cold.


Why would anyone want to hang out?


During the winter months, the benefit of a warm and welcoming garage is something that cannot be expressed enough. Plus, it's something that's hard to explain if you've never had a heated garage. Your garage, on the other hand, will turn into an oven during the hotter summer months. One of the best ways to keep your garage the right temperature is with insulation.


This will make it easier to maintain the right temperature in your space without allowing heat to escape or enter. We'll walk you through the different types of insulation, how to choose the right type for your home, and how to install insulation.

Benefits of Garage Insulation


Insulating your garage may seem like a big deal and a money pit, but the project has many benefits ranging from overall comfort to cost savings. Greater energy efficiency, which means lower costs.

Warmer temperatures make it easier to store electrical equipment in your garage.


This translates to less maintenance.

Noise reduction in the house and in the neighborhood.

Comfort during work or leisure in the garage.

Vehicle warm at all times, which extends the life of the car battery.


Before you start

A radiator installed in a garage.




Before you start your project, you need to decide what type of insulation you want to install and whether you need a heater. The current condition of your garage can determine the type of insulation you choose. If the drywall is already installed, cellulose insulation would be a good choice as it will reduce damage to the existing drywall. Insulation is designed to prevent heat from escaping, but it does not produce it. If you don't already have one, you will need to install a heating source to keep your garage warm.




Types of Garage Insulation


There are several options for insulation in a garage, each with their own disadvantages and advantages - things to consider include cost, ease of installation, installation and the R-value.

1. Fiberglass insulation

A man installs fiberglass insulation.


Fiberglass insulation is the most common material used in homes, making it inexpensive and easy to install. It comes in pre-cut batting and rolls of long blankets sized to fit wall studs.


Rolls come with or without paper, which can give the final product a more finished look if you're not planning on installing drywall. The paper also helps prevent internal heat from escaping and water from passing through the insulation.


Loose fiberglass is another great option for garage attics. Fiberglass can irritate eyes, skin, and lungs, so be sure to wear proper protective clothing during installation, such as safety glasses, mask, and gloves.

3.


Cellulose insulation

Cellulose insulation in an attic.


Cellulose insulation is a newer option and is quickly becoming one of the most popular options. Made primarily from recycled newsprint and treated with a flame retardant, cellulose is also known as loose-fill or blown-in insulation. A fan is necessary to properly install cellulose insulation because it aerates the cellulose.


Due to its insulating structure, it can only be used in garage walls or finished attics.


Cellulose can still be installed if the drywall is already in place by drilling holes between studs and blowing it out. Holes can be repaired when completed. Cellulose has one of the lowest R-values ​​due to the great design of the material.

2. Rigid foam insulation

Rigid foam insulation is mounted on a wall.



Rigid foam insulation is pretty much what it sounds like. It comes in large sheets and anywhere from 1/2 inch to 4 inches thick. Types of hard foam include polystyrene, extruded polystyrene, and polyisocyanurate. Foam density provides some of the highest R-values ​​of any insulation available. Rigid foam is relatively inexpensive and easy to cut to fit most spaces.


Due to its density, it is a good choice for thin walls as it reduces noise.

4. Spray Foam Insulation

Spray foam insulation is applied between wall studs.


Spray foam is one of the best insulators for R-value. The main reason for such a high R-value is the airtight seal of the insulation.


The main disadvantages of spray foam are that it is quite expensive and usually needs to be installed by a professional. Spray foam expands and hardens and is best suited for large insulation jobs. Do-it-yourself installation may result in underspray or overspray as it expands, so it's best left to an experienced professional. Depending on the use of your garage, spray foam may be overkill unless it is used as a living space.

5.


Reflective insulation

Reflective insulation in a ceiling.


Reflective insulation, or radiant barriers, works a little differently than regular insulation. Made with aluminum-coated kraft paper and other materials, it reflects outside heat away from the garage, so it's a great option for the summer months and maintains a comfortable temperature in the space. This concept also works during the winter months as the heat inside the garage will reflect back into the space. It's a great option for garage doors that aren't already insulated, and they're easy to remove if not needed.



R-value: how to measure the effectiveness of insulation


The R-value is an indicator of the effectiveness of insulation in preventing heat from entering or leaving the building. an area. The value is measured per inch of thickness. The R-value can vary depending on the type, thickness and density of insulation used in the walls. A higher insulation R-value generally means it better controls the temperature in your space and increases energy efficiency. A higher R-value generally leads to a higher cost of the insulation material.




Depending on the composition of your home and where the insulation is installed, it can also determine the required R-value. Homes built with 2×4 studs typically use R-13 insulation, newer homes with 2×6 studs use R-21 insulation, and R-40 must be used for the ceiling. In general, colder climates should use higher R-value insulation than warmer climates. In an attic, insulation can be stacked to combine their R-values. For example, fiberglass insulation can be used between the studs and cellulose insulation can be laid on top to increase the total R-value.



Tools and Materials Required


Tools vary depending on the type of insulation chosen for installation, but the tools are the general tools needed to install fiberglass. In addition to this, you may need more specialized tools, such as a blow gun, mask and safety glasses for cellulose insulation or a sprayer, rubber gloves, coveralls and a respirator if you are installing spray foam.


Tools You Need


Insulation

Garage Door Insulation Kit - Optional, but helps with energy efficiency.

Expanding Foam - For cracks or crevices in the wall.

Drywall

Hammer

Drill

Drywall screws

Ladder

Gloves and long-sleeved shirt: essential for installing fiberglass to prevent skin irritation

Utility Knife

Staples and Staples


How to Insulate a Garage Wall


For this step by step guide, we will focus on installing fiberglass insulation. glass because it is the most common material used in homes and the easiest to install.



1. Transparent walls

Drywall is removed from wall studs.


Remove existing drywall and discard. Depending on the size of your garage, you may need to rent a residential dumpster to dispose of the equipment.

Make sure screws, staples or other objects have been removed from the studs.



Remove dirt from pin cavities and check for mold. If you find any, use bleach to get rid of the mold and let it dry completely before continuing.


2. Fill cracks or crevices in the wall

Canned spray foam is used to fill an empty space under a window.


Use expanding foam to fill all openings.


Spray while holding the can upside down and only fill it about 50% full to allow the foam to expand.

Leave on for about 15 minutes until it's no longer sticky. The spray should dry in about 8 hours.


3. Installing the insulation

A man is installing the fiberglass insulation between the wall studs.

| gun to pinch the insulation on the side of the pin. (Make sure you don't staple on the face of the stud, so they don't interfere with the drywall later)


4. Cover with drywall

Drywall mud is applied to a joint of two plasterboards.


Attach the drywall to the studs using a screw every 16 inches.

If you want a more finished look, you can glue and scramble the drywall. You will need a mud pan, drywall mud, a band knife and a sanding block.

Apply mud to the seam where the drywall meets and place the tape along the fold while the mud is still wet. Do the same procedure on the inside corners, bending the tape at a 90 degree angle.


Fill the screw holes with mud.

Once the first layer is dry, redo the whole process in the same order without paper. For butt joints (drywall joints without beveled edges), use a 10-inch taping knife and apply two lines above and below the joint. This builds up the area, so the joint looks smoother. Do not exceed the original seal.


After the second coat is dry, apply a third thin coat of mud, making sure to blend the edges for a smooth look. On butt joints (drywall without beveled edges), be sure to apply mud to both sides and to the original joint. | Garage ceiling

Fiberglass insulation in a ceiling.




Once you've done the walls, you need to do the ceiling, which is more important. Heat naturally rises and you don't want this precious commodity going through the roof. The process of insulating a garage ceiling is relatively the same as for walls. You will need a helper to help you maintain isolation, hand over tools, and support the ladder as you work.


This method is more suitable for vaulted ceilings.


Some garages have traditional ceilings perpendicular to the floor and a crawl space above. You will need to install drywall before adding insulation to make things easier. The process would be the same as for the walls, but you'll be working inside the crawlspace and can add cellulose insulation on top of the fiberglass insulation for added R-value.

How to insulate a garage door


Insulating a garage door can be done in several ways. You can use reflective insulation and tuck it between the slats and frame of each door panel.


Another way is to use adhesive mounting pins and push the insulation over the pins. Then snap pin caps are placed on top to hold the insulation in place. There are also garage door insulation kits that can be purchased if you need something all in one.

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