Garage Insulation Extends Livable Space

A garage can be much more than a garage. Outside of functioning as a location to park the cars and store that backup freezer, a garage can be a workshop, a well-ordered storage space, or even a place for your up-and-coming band to practice. Most garages aren't insulated, though, which makes fighting the extreme cold and heat very difficult. Installing insulation can be an intimidating task, but knowing what to look for and how to proceed will help you to stop talking about it and start insulating.

Garage insulation is a home improvement project that nearly anyone can carry out themselves, even with minimal or no experience. First, you should finish any projects or repairs connected to plumbing and electrical touches before starting the work of insulation. As you move towards creating a plan to insulate your garage, take into account each segment that will need to be insulated in order to produce efficient results. Each garage is different, so there isn't a comprehensive method for getting it correct every time. You must know the particulars of your own garage and the relation of these things to the type of insulation you plan on using.

Assuming you're one of the many homeowners with the ideal exposed-stud construction in the garage, you now need to make a decision on which style of insulation you want to install. R-value (quality), size, and material are all variables. Higher R-value insulation is more effective, but also more costly. You'll probably choose a blanket-type insulation, as it's the most common, and though it's usually constructed of fiberglass, you can also use cotton-made blanket insulation. Determining the size of insulation is merely a matter of measuring between the studs in your garage, as well as the depth from the outer edge of the stud to the wall. It's up to you what you want to cover the insulation with after installation. Drywall is a favorite choice, as is pegboard. You can install either of these choices yourself if your handy.

If you're using fiberglass insulation, be sure to cover all areas of your skin, use gloves, and invest in a pair of safety goggles. Next, measure out the amount of insulation you need between each stud, cutting it off the roll with a utility knife. With the paper face-up, use a staple gun to fasten the edges of the paper to the studs on opposite sides. It'll be a little tougher on the muscles, but you'll want to go over these same steps in order to insulate the ceiling.

The garage door and floor are more difficult, as you cannot staple insulation to either. If your door is made of thin metal with low R-value, you can trade it for a pre-insulated door. Depending on how you want to use the garage, you might consider installing metal diamond plate, tile, or simply painting and sealing a concrete floor.

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