Detached Garage Rehab

[naf305]

Hi,

I'm a complete newbie and woodworker hobbyist. I recently purchased a home with a 2-car detached garage which I have already established with the wife will be known as "the workshop" (no cars allowed).

This is fairly old house (1920). The garage is roughly 20x22 but the concrete slab is new and the structure is overall is solid and in good condition.

I want to insulate the place but as you'll see in the picture below the walls are currently studs with cedar shingles nailed on crossing stips (no sheeting plywood at all)

What are you recommendation about insulating and closing up the wall? Will I need to remove the shingle to sheet the exterior and add a vapor barrier?

I also plan on sistering the studs to make them 2x6 (instead of the current 2x4) to create more depth for thicker insulation.

Thanks!

 

[gunguy]

Might want to check with a company that does insulation installation but one possibility would be to install ceiling joists then insulate the "floor" of your new attic.

With a little planning you could have some uninsulated storage space .The smaller volume would also be cheaper to heat and cool.

Closed cell foam would be the most effective but may be pricy. Insulate the walls then cover with your choice of drywall, plywood, or OSB; whatever suites your budget and needs.

Just a thought.

Welcome to GJ!

Jim

 

[Daniel Dudley]

If you want to use regular kraft faced insulation, but you do not want to strip the outside now, take tar paper and bend it into a U to line your bays. Put your paper faced insulation into that. Insulate your roof the same way, then put 2 inch rigid foam under that, and tape the joints. The tar paper keeps the fiberglass dry, and it keeps air infiltration from killing your R value.

Closed cell foam is really good stuff, but you would have a bad time getting your siding off for replacement in the future if you sprayed to it. You could use tar paper as a barrier for closed cell as well, but in that case, don't make a U, just cover the outer wall, and let the closed cell foam stick to the studs and form a seal.

 

[dfiler2]

I've seen roofs done like that but never walls, interesting. I'm guessing it's a pretty cool looking building on the outside, is the outside in good shape? I think if it were me I would wrap plastic around the studs and against the outside wall then have it spray foamed. The foam would add a lot of strength to the building and seal it up. You could probably get by with a couple of inches especially since you plan to add another inside wall, that cavity you could fill with fiberglass.

Your elec panel looks a little low or is it a tall building?

Would love to see more pics of the building.