Insulate a Garage
Insulating your garage can keep it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. An insulated garage can help to control the temperature in rooms above the garage and to provide a barrier that keeps garage sounds in the garage and away from the living space. Before beginning any garage remodeling project, you should be aware that there are multiple answers to the question of how to insulate a garage.
Steps
- Determine a method of insulation. In general, loose-fill and sprayed foam insulation are easier to install in existing walls and blanket insulation is easier to install if you have studs but no drywall yet.
- Loose-fill insulation is commonly used to insulate attics. It is typically blown into an open space.
- Spray foam insulation works on the same principle as loose-fill insulation. For small applications, a sprayer is used to place the foam, which hardens somewhat over time. For larger applications, a pressure sprayer may be used.
- Blanket insulation comes in varying widths. One common width is 16 inches (40.6 cm), which is the standard width between wooden studs.
- Choose an R value. R value measures the resistance of a particular type of insulation to heat flow. Higher numbers mean a greater ability to insulate. The R-value you need to use to effectively insulate your garage depends on a variety of factors, particularly your local climate. Ask a specialist at a hardware store for the best garage R-value for you before purchasing insulation.
- Install the insulation.
- For loose-fill or spray foam insulation, cut a small hole in the drywall between each set of studs. Using a rented blower or sprayer, fill the area between the studs with insulation.
- For blanket insulation, push each roll between the studs, being careful to leave the paper flaps on the edges of the roll uncovered. Depending on the height of your garage, you may need to cut the rolls to different lengths to cover the entire area. When the insulation is in place, staple the flaps directly onto the studs.
- Cover the insulation with drywall.
- For loose-fill and spray foam insulation, repair the hole you made in the drywall using small pieces of drywall, tape, and mud as necessary.
- For blanket insulation, place sheets of drywall over the studs. Tape and mud according to manufacturer's instructions.
- Add weather stripping to the garage door. If the weather stripping on the floor of your garage is dried or cracked, replace it by cutting away the old material and then nail a new piece directly to the floor. For additional garage insulation, add a weather seal around the outside of your garage.
Tips
- If you are building a home, consider using concrete block insulation, which is pre-insulated block. This block is 10 times more energy efficient than standard concrete block.
Things You'll Need
- Hammer and nails
- Staples and staple gun
- Drywall, tape, and mud
- Insulation
- Weather stripping
- Blower or sprayer
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