Garage Ceiling Insulation Options

[Wingnut330]

Hello all,

This is my first post here - what a great site. I had no idea there was a place like this on the web, focused on garages. Very cool. Now on to my question...

I have a standard sized built in garage that has 2 bedrooms above it. One room is a craft room and another is the nursery for our 3 week old daughter. After lurking here a few weeks ago, I took some of your advice and installed a Liftmaster Belt Drive unit and WOW - what a difference in sound from my screw drive system. This has fixed the noise issue.

The next problem I am trying to fix is the fluctuation in temperature. I'd like to insulate the garage ceiling/bedroom floor. The garage ceiling is already finished and I'm assuming it isn't insulated because of the noise and temp variations compared to other rooms upstairs.

A few years ago I insulated the walls and finished them off. So, now I'm curious how to get insulation into the ceiling. Is it something that can be blown in or will I have to take the ceiling down, insulate and then refinish?

 

[brad d]

What kind of R value are you looking for and do you mind dropping the ceiling height to have insulation?

 

[redsky49]

Blow it in. It will be done in an afternoon and you won't have to repair/replace your ceiling. Just have them fill the cavity. You will have more than enough insulation to realize a noticeable improvement.

Offered only as opinion

 

[Joe Reed]

I'd be really surprised if there wasn't any insulation between the garage ceiling and the bedroom floors. Unless the house was built many decades ago code probably required it. The difficulty in heating those rooms probably has more to do with the fact that they are further from the furnace, don't have proper returned air ducts, etc. - or simply because they're above an unheated space and your other rooms are over heated space.

I'd do a little unobtrusive exploratory surgery.....

 

[Wingnut330]

I'd be really surprised if there wasn't any insulation between the garage ceiling and the bedroom floors. Unless the house was built many decades ago code probably required it. The difficulty in heating those rooms probably has more to do with the fact that they are further from the furnace, don't have proper returned air ducts, etc. - or simply because they're above an unheated space and your other rooms are over heated space.

I'd do a little unobtrusive exploratory surgery.....

Yea, I think you are right. I'd be really surprised if it wasn't already insulated. I don't know what's in there, but I'm guessing it's builder grade stuff. The house was built 10 years ago.

Can blown in insulation go in there even if other insulation is in there?

I would be willing to lose a little height but not a lot.

The problem is that it's cold in the winter and warm in the summer. I thought about installed a side vent fan to kick out hot air in the summer, but I'm not sure what my options are for winter months.

 

[IDASHO]

Time to do some exploring then.

Cut a small opeing in the ceiling to seem what, if anything, is inside the joist cavity.

If it is already insulated, then I would suggest 4" rigid Foil Faced insulation, simply glued to the ceiling, and another layer of sheet-rock installed over it.

If the cavity is empty, then it is time for blow-in.

 

[Joe Reed]

If it's cold in winter and hot in summer I'd take a look at the ductwork (assuming you have forced air HVAC). How's the air flow from the vents into those rooms? If you have flexible ductwork, has any of it been crushed? How's the insulation in the ceiling above those rooms? It's quite possible that the problem isn't underneath the floor...

 

[rinny_tin_tin]

Hello all,

This is my first post here - what a great site. I had no idea there was a place like this on the web, focused on garages. Very cool. Now on to my question...

I have a standard sized built in garage that has 2 bedrooms above it. One room is a craft room and another is the nursery for our 3 week old daughter. After lurking here a few weeks ago, I took some of your advice and installed a Liftmaster Belt Drive unit and WOW - what a difference in sound from my screw drive system. This has fixed the noise issue.

The next problem I am trying to fix is the fluctuation in temperature. I'd like to insulate the garage ceiling/bedroom floor. The garage ceiling is already finished and I'm assuming it isn't insulated because of the noise and temp variations compared to other rooms upstairs.

A few years ago I insulated the walls and finished them off. So, now I'm curious how to get insulation into the ceiling. Is it something that can be blown in or will I have to take the ceiling down, insulate and then refinish?

Whatever you decide on - make sure that the installation is especially fireproof and fume proof - particularly since you have habitable spaces/sleeping quarters above with children. This is one of those circumstances where it pays to go well beyond code and it won't cost much extra.

 

[IHI]

Also be sure to check for proper attic/rafter space ventilation as well. Far to often everbody gets caught up in attic insulation and pay no attention to getting proper ventilation which is also a huge factor in hot/cold attic/living spaces. Not saying such is the case here, but if your going this far, make sure you have the complete system in place for max effeicencey.

 

[Wingnut330]

Great suggestions. I plan on having a pro come out and take a look. I'll keep you posted...