2 car partially insulated attached heating

[agrasyuk]

hi, garage forum members,
long time lurker/reader, got plenty of good tips from here organizing and painting epoxy floor in my 2 car attached garage. it is not winter yet but i'm trying to think a bit ahead about heating my space since our Chicago winters can be somewhat cold . garage will primarily serve as workshop with small area dedicated to storage or household items. walls are insulated and drywalled, i will be installing styrofoam panels on the door, but there is no drywall on the cieling and currently no posibility to install.

was thinking propane radiant heat but i read that it can create excecive moisture and i'd like to avoid it as there is lathe, drill press and other equipment stationed that is not going to like the moisture. natural gas is out of question as i will not be able to plumb supply. up to 50A of 220V is readily available however so i was looking at those forced air units. but since the ceileing is not insulated (missing actually) i wonder if some radiant electric unit will be less of a energy waste. i don't need a sauna, nor be heating 24/7, have no problem to wear a sweater, but a bit of warmth for hand dexterity will be nice.

your opinions are welcome.
regards!
Anton

 

[Steve in Mi]

What is standing in the way of framing in a ceiling that can then be insulated? Until you close in the top of the box you will have little chance of heating comfortably and maybe more important within a budget.

Picture those heating dollars going up like smoke.

 

[James-W]

What is standing in the way of framing in a ceiling that can then be insulated? Until you close in the top of the box you will have little chance of heating comfortably and maybe more important within a budget.

Picture those heating dollars going up like smoke.

I agree, having an insulated ceiling is very important if you want to heat the space effectively and efficiently.

 

[CWO4GUNNER]

Allot of people just don't make the important connection with an insulated garage ceiling when it comes to heating and cooling. I didn't until I moved out here in the desert and a kid in a blow insulation truck working on a house down the street asked me as I was standing outside my hot garage if Id like blown insulation in my garage ceiling for $100 bucks cash fast and quick. A few minutes later the kid was in my garage attic with a monster hose while another kid was pouring bags of insulation into a hopper. In just a few minutes my garage attic was full of fluff. Later that same summer I could not believe the difference even without heating and cooling there was an amazing difference. After that I thought about all the years I suffered in my other homes with uninsulated garage attics boiling and freezing through the seasons.

 

[rancherbill]

.., but there is no drywall on the cieling and currently no posibility to install.

You're hooped.

Your first shop project should be the ceiling. The second is putting up racks to hold all the **** that you now have in the ceiling. The third project is insulation.

 

[JT-3]

Allot of people just don't make the important connection with an insulated garage ceiling when it comes to heating and cooling. I didn't until I moved out here in the desert and a kid in a blow insulation truck working on a house down the street asked me as I was standing outside my hot garage if Id like blown insulation in my garage ceiling for $100 bucks cash fast and quick. A few minutes later the kid was in my garage attic with a monster hose while another kid was pouring bags of insulation into a hopper. In just a few minutes my garage attic was full of fluff. Later that same summer I could not believe the difference even without heating and cooling there was an amazing difference. After that I thought about all the years I suffered in my other homes with uninsulated garage attics boiling and freezing through the seasons.

Wow...sounds you like you made a good decision that day. I'd be all over that for $100!

 

[agrasyuk]

Thanks for the input guys.
I do realize the importance of insulation. Blowing insulation is obviously good idea (evren though I preffer rolled) but nowhere to blow yet. I am planning to redo entire roof structure after this coming winter, due to budget can't complete it this year before it gets really cold.