Should I Insulate??

[GAR64]

Getting ready to start finishing the interior of my detached garage. I am not sure that I will ever put any heat out there but wondering if I should insulate anyway. Seems like it makes sense in that you cant go back later and do it. My concern is that it may make condensation a problem. I am planning on a metal ceiling and sheetrock on the walls. Dimensions are 36x30 with 9' walls. 2x6 construction. There is a room upstairs, a ridge vent and vented soffits. My instinct is to insulate just in case I want heat someday but would like to avoid creating a problem...

 

[benchracer]

I would do it. You'll be kicking yourself later after you put your drywall up.

 

[CNGsaves]

Depends . . . . you live in Hawaii?? . . . or Antarctica?? . . . . or Siberia?? . . . . or Death Valley, CA . . . . or Florida . . . . or Canada??

General answer is YES to insulate . . . . but only AFTER all the electrical wiring, air lines, HVAC issues, switches, etc. are all planned out and finished first. Once you close up the walls, you don't want to be tearing into them again!

 

[Hawk]

Now at the present price of insulation or wait till prices go up and the labor cost increases, because you will most likely wish you had insulated. My choice would be NOW.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Insulation is an investment and well worth it.

Even if you don't heat/cool it, it will prevent rapid swings in garage tempratures.

 

[firecracker]

Got to be yes, even if only to combat condensation.

 

[PAToyota]

As CNG mentions, you don't say where you are located. But no matter where you are, insulation is likely a good idea. It will keep things warmer in winter and cooler in summer even without added heat or air conditioning. Only place I'd not consider insulation is someplace where it is comfortable outside year round. Even then, I'd consider insulation in the roof to keep things cool.

 

[GAR64]

Located in NY. Thanks for the advice.

 

[CNGsaves]

{initial post}] Getting ready to start finishing the interior of my detached garage. I am not sure that I will ever put any heat out there but wondering if I should insulate anyway. Seems like it makes sense in that you cant go back later and do it. My concern is that it may make condensation a problem. I am planning on a metal ceiling and sheetrock on the walls. Dimensions are 36x30 with 9' walls. 2x6 construction. There is a room upstairs, a ridge vent and vented soffits. My instinct is to insulate just in case I want heat someday but would like to avoid creating a problem...

{subsequent post} Located in NY. Thanks for the advice.

Sounds like you've got nice garage since it has 2x6 walls and even an upstairs room. What you also don't mention is what type of HEATING SOURCE you have?? Is it wood burner, hanging heater (NG/Propane), or electric heat?? You have plenty of electrial power to garage with it's own subpanel??

I'd think about your long-term plans with the upstairs room, and work from top down. Thus, to get your upstairs room how you get most benefit, you may want to consider expensive spray foam to maximize the space (ie insulate shell). Will that be storage space or what?

Once upstairs plan is determined, that will help drive how you insulate and finish the ceiling, which is most important to have good insulation. Thus, I'd concentrate on where to spend money on upstairs and ceiling (ie walls can be done later).

Hopefully some local NY guys will chime in minimum R-value of insulation you should shoot for in ceiling.

Good luck and post up some pics of garage. Lots of gurus here on GJ to help plan out your finish of garage. We'll help where we can!

 

[brownbagg]

insulate, put plywood on top of that and then attach all your electrical and airline in conduit on top of the plywood

 

[GAR64]

Pic of the garage..

 

[steel 35]

I have a similar size shop and can heat it with a electric oil heater, and its very comfy in the summer. Do it now while you can

 

[CNGsaves]

Pic of the garage..

No pic attached.

Just edit that post and Go Advanced which will show the Manage Attachments that you'll click. Then use Browse at the top to locate the file on your computer. Once you click add file, then you'll click Upload file. Next, you'll click on close window up on top. Finally, you'll click on Save.

Once you get one pic to work, you can just edit the post again and add more pics in the same way. Good luck.

 

[77thor]

I would insulate, too.

 

[crewchief888]

if you're planning on enclosing the interior walls, then i'd probably be a good idea to insulate.