Just got a new garage door, insulation time?

[bowlofturtle]

I have a brick garage built in the 50's i would assume. Its a simple 20x20 detached garage in the city of chicago. Originally my garage had a wooden door with extension springs to give you an idea on how old.

I got a simple steel door replacement. I got all the weather seals for the garage door so everything should be nice and tight. The installers tried to upsell me into a insulated door but i declined. After the install, he mentioned to getting a insulation kit for cheap and i should do it.

I work on the car's in the winter and summer. I try not to in the winter but cars have a mind of their own when it comes to break downs. In the past i've just gotten a huge thick jacket and a small space heater to get feelings back into my hands. Last 6 years, i've average maybe 12 hours of wrench time in the garage a winter. So its not much.

For the price of insualtion, i figure it couldn't hurt. $110 for the foam. But does it really do much? I've lived with the wooden door for past 6 years, i didn't mind it. But obviously this steel door is thin. Is there a huge difference between the foam stuff vs the reflective stuff? Or should i not worry about it.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Garage-D...es-Garage-Door-Insulation-Kit-8-pcs/203630159

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Reach-Barrier-Air-Reflective-Garage-Door-Insulation-Kit-3009/203536784

 

[manwithtools]

A recent thread on this:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=329240

My opinion, you should have bought the insulated door as the factory installed is tighter fitting than the kits. I'd get the thickest foam you can fit. If you have to heat up the garage to wok in it, the insulation will speed the process and reduce the energy that's required to keep it at a working temperature. If you are going to spend a lot of time in the garage then I'd insulate the walls and ceiling too.

A comfortable working space will encourage you to do more in your garage which will enhance your enjoyment and turn you into a garage addict like the rest of us....

 

[bowlofturtle]

A comfortable working space will encourage you to do more in your garage which will enhance your enjoyment and turn you into a garage addict like the rest of us....

While i agree with this statement. This isn't my goal. If i had an attached garage it would be a no-brainer. I still have to put on a jacket and walk a few feet in the back of my house.

I rather work on my cars and stuff in the summer time with the door up and use the sunlight for lighting. Winter time repairs/projects are only emergency stuff.

I will not be insulating the other 3 walls nor the ceiling of this garage. I can't afford to loose another 2-3 inchs around, 20x20 is tight enough already.

I might do this for the pure quietness of it.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Don't buy the first kit linked. You can buy sheets and cut them yourself for cheaper.

The second appears to be sheets of double bubble and I'd guess you could buy a roll and cut yourself cheaper too.

I would have went with the upsale and been done with it. Since you choose not to, I'd get some foil-faced poly-iso and cut into sheets myself. Tape them in place with some foil tape and you should be good.

If the garage isn't insulated, why not start a simple project, buy a roll of insulation here and there, get it sealed up. You can pick up a mini-roll for usually $10 or less. Go from wearing a heavy coat to a sweatshirt and enjoy the cold Chicago Winters in your garage.

 

[bowlofturtle]

Possible link to buying said stuff. I have no clue what I'm looking for or what it's actually called in the store.

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[Junkman]

Save your money, and skip the insulation. Invest in thermal underwear, hat and gloves, and buy beer with what is left over.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Possible link to buying said stuff. I have no clue what I'm looking for or what it's actually called in the store.

Sent from my SM-N910T3 using Tapatalk

This is what I'm talking about.


http://www.menards.com/main/buildin...4438920507-c-5779.htm?tid=8982531846187698860

I linked Menard's but my local HD has it also sans the print on the foil side. It also comes in varying thickness.

 

[DC73]

Is there a huge difference between the foam stuff vs the reflective stuff?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Garage-D...es-Garage-Door-Insulation-Kit-8-pcs/203630159

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Reach-Barrier-Air-Reflective-Garage-Door-Insulation-Kit-3009/203536784

Yes. Foam is the way to go. The reflective bubble wrap borders on snake oil, especially in your climate.

As suggested, get the thickest foam sheets you can fit in your door. If you end up with foam with foil on one side, being that you are in Chicago, put the foil side to the interior of the garage.

DC