I am new here, first post. I have a one and a half car garage behind the house. I want to make it into more of a work shop to work on my car. Been working on them since age 15. (now 69) (**** that is a long time) So my question is, would it be worth it money wise to insulate it before finishing the walls.... I think it would be yes since I am in Wisconsin....(BRR) but not sure how much difference it will make or if I will notice the difference. I plan to do some cooler weather work in there but may do more fall or winter work if it works out! Thoughts? and what type insulation is the best for the money if you know?
Insulate or not?
- Thread starter STRC
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cjcocn
Well-known member
Unless you have a free heat source i would insulate and put a vapor barrier on the walls and ceiling.
Traditional fiberglass batt insulation should do for your purpose as long as you put up a good vapor barrier.
I have 2x6 walls in my garage and filled those walls with fiberglass batt, then put R50 in my ceiling. My garage stays nice and warm and is a pleasure to work in.
Traditional fiberglass batt insulation should do for your purpose as long as you put up a good vapor barrier.
I have 2x6 walls in my garage and filled those walls with fiberglass batt, then put R50 in my ceiling. My garage stays nice and warm and is a pleasure to work in.
Jayhem
Active member
No sense to insulate without a heat source. But the most cost effective method is what my Uncle did and he's in Erie, PA. 3/4" foam board with reflective thermal backing. He heats a 30x28' garage with a small wood stove and it stays a comfortable 50-60F inside on the coldest winter day.
cjcocn
Well-known member
He never said that he didn't have a heat source.
Even if he didn't, he should insulate now and then when he decides that it's still too cold to work in there without a heat source he only has to worry about installing a heat source.
Even if he didn't, he should insulate now and then when he decides that it's still too cold to work in there without a heat source he only has to worry about installing a heat source.
Colin Len
Well-known member
I'd DEFINITELY insulate. Hell, I live in CA with a pretty darn moderate climate by comparison and I plan on insulating my garage eventually (more for heat than for cold though). And as far as heat source, in such a small space even a small space heater will provide quite a bit of warmth.
SMKS
Well-known member
Insulating is never a bad idea. Especially if you have the walls open and can easily add batts.
Since it sounds like you'll have the studs exposed, it seems like a no-brainer to me to add insulation before finishing. It's not a huge cost and you'll never have such a good opportunity to do it.
Since it sounds like you'll have the studs exposed, it seems like a no-brainer to me to add insulation before finishing. It's not a huge cost and you'll never have such a good opportunity to do it.
matt_i
Well-known member
I really like working with Roxul. Its not the cheapest but it cuts and fits nicely, and you don't have to be so crazy about not overcompressing it like fiberglass batts. Also like that it doesn't harbor "life forms" if it gets wet. Its also a higher R-value than the fiberglass.
Making sure things are air-sealed with caulk, as best as possible always helps. Not sure if there is a ceiling but that would be my first step.
Making sure things are air-sealed with caulk, as best as possible always helps. Not sure if there is a ceiling but that would be my first step.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
Insulation will help, even without a heater. Also, whenever you park your car in there remember that it has a big hot hunk of cast iron under the hood, that will contribute some as well. It may not be toasty warm but it will be warmer than outside.
White 99
Well-known member
I agree with all the rest. And welcome to GJ too.
Crazyjake8493
Well-known member
Definitely air seal and insulate before finishing the walls. If you can afford it, use Roxul insulation, much nicer than fiberglass. If not, fiberglass will work just fine. If you plan on paying for heat, insulation will pay for itself over and over in the long run.
ard
Well-known member
If the car is running, well then...THERE'S the great source!
Agree insulate. Fiberglass batts probably
Agree insulate. Fiberglass batts probably
The Tool Tyrant
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Insulation is not expensive and as most have said already, now is a prime time for you to do it. Just be sure to add any electrical in the walls that you may be considering as Romex is much easier and cheaper to run than conduit.
lakeroadster
Well-known member
Even if you don't plan to heat the garage, adding insulation keeps it warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
The sun made our attached garage oppressive in the summer. Now that we insulated and sheathed the interior it is a much better space.
Last edited:
sign216
Well-known member
Same question, but different situation.
14'x20' cedar workshop, high 7' walls, concrete base, unfinished interior, has lights and electrical service. For hobby motorcycle/engine work in Massachusetts. Only source of heat is a plug-in elec. heater. During the winter, I can work in there anytime it's over 30F by keeping the heater right next to me. Not comfortable, but I can do work that needs to be done.
My question: Insulate the walls and ceiling, and put up drywall, etc to fully finish the interior, just so it's more usable during the winter? Or just enjoy it as it is, as basically a three season unheated shop?
Fully finishing the interior will be $$$ and a lot of work. Should I "man up" and finish it, or just use it the way it is?
This picture isn't it, but is close;
14'x20' cedar workshop, high 7' walls, concrete base, unfinished interior, has lights and electrical service. For hobby motorcycle/engine work in Massachusetts. Only source of heat is a plug-in elec. heater. During the winter, I can work in there anytime it's over 30F by keeping the heater right next to me. Not comfortable, but I can do work that needs to be done.
My question: Insulate the walls and ceiling, and put up drywall, etc to fully finish the interior, just so it's more usable during the winter? Or just enjoy it as it is, as basically a three season unheated shop?
Fully finishing the interior will be $$$ and a lot of work. Should I "man up" and finish it, or just use it the way it is?
This picture isn't it, but is close;
cjcocn
Well-known member
Insulate and put on vapour barrier.
That way you can save up enough for sheathing down the road.
Your heater will work less and heat more after it is insulated.
That way you can save up enough for sheathing down the road.
Your heater will work less and heat more after it is insulated.
sberry
Banned
Only insulate if you care about being warm,,, ha
ard
Well-known member
$$$ ???
Man up... It is not going to be a lot for insulation, Sheetrock AND electric....like $500-800?? Plus your time.
nicholam77
Well-known member
Forgive the noob question but does the kraft paper facing on batt or roll insulation count as a vapor barrier?
I installed kraft faced rolls on my walls and ceiling, but no plastic over the top.
I live in MN with cold winters and hot humid summers.
So far in the winter it's helped a lot keeping it warmer (10-20 degrees warmer than ambient outside temps), even without a heat source. Just want to make sure it's not going to cause some sort of issues where the vapor barrier is concerned.
The garage is detached.
Thanks.
I installed kraft faced rolls on my walls and ceiling, but no plastic over the top.
I live in MN with cold winters and hot humid summers.
So far in the winter it's helped a lot keeping it warmer (10-20 degrees warmer than ambient outside temps), even without a heat source. Just want to make sure it's not going to cause some sort of issues where the vapor barrier is concerned.
The garage is detached.
Thanks.
lakeroadster
Well-known member
ChevelleFan
Member
Another vote for insulation, especially on a free-standing building. I'm in NE Ohio, and while this winter has been very pleasant (it's in the 70s today!!), just 2-3 years ago, we had some brutally cold winter. My garage is insulated and the walls/ceiling are finished with OSB. After a week of weather with lows in the single digits and highs in the teens, my building was still 30* inside with no heater running. I was very happy with that.
-Dave
-Dave
Dtech494
Member
Yes insulate it. It certainly makes a difference. It makes it much more comfortable.
The insulation in my house attic settled, so I blew fiberglass into my house and my garage attic at the same time. It really reduced the sharp cold feeling in winter that I used to experience.
It is funny when I think about shops that I worked in where the owners made the excuse it does not make much difference, they were wrong!!!
The insulation in my house attic settled, so I blew fiberglass into my house and my garage attic at the same time. It really reduced the sharp cold feeling in winter that I used to experience.
It is funny when I think about shops that I worked in where the owners made the excuse it does not make much difference, they were wrong!!!
B T C
Well-known member
I had my garage insulated when my house was being built and I've never regretted doing so. If it's simply a choice between insulating or not insulating, I can't imagine a scenario where I would choose the latter, but I'm sure those scenarios probably exist, especially when you start factoring money into the equation.
I like to mess around with my cars also, even if it's nothing more than changing the oil and rotating the tires. I recently bought one of these during a Christmas sale and have used it a couple of times since. It works great and my insulated garage holds the heat very well, meaning the heater does not have to run constantly. The models without battery backup can be had cheaper.
http://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/mr-heater-f228810
I like to mess around with my cars also, even if it's nothing more than changing the oil and rotating the tires. I recently bought one of these during a Christmas sale and have used it a couple of times since. It works great and my insulated garage holds the heat very well, meaning the heater does not have to run constantly. The models without battery backup can be had cheaper.
http://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/mr-heater-f228810
Dragfluid
ALLIANCE MEMBER
A cordless heater? Interesting.
Yes,,,,, everyone that's asking if insulation is worth it, now or in the future, YES, you need to insulate!! Both the walls and the ceiling. And don't say that you want to leave the rafters open "for storage", because anything that you "store" up there now, will still be up there, untouched, 10 years from now!
rburke65
Well-known member
Why would you ever want to insulate........dah........
bigdav160
Well-known member
I am going to go against the grain a little.
Without climate control, insulation, at best, is only going to slow down the transition to ambient temperature. It cannot make it cooler or warmer by itself.
Reminds me of a TV commercial from the BORG that tells me how much money I can save insulating my garage door. If I spend zero on energy in my garage how much is that insulation saving me?
Without climate control, insulation, at best, is only going to slow down the transition to ambient temperature. It cannot make it cooler or warmer by itself.
Reminds me of a TV commercial from the BORG that tells me how much money I can save insulating my garage door. If I spend zero on energy in my garage how much is that insulation saving me?
dfiler2
Well-known member
True, but if you are parking your car in there it will keep it at least 20 degrees warmer than outside. At least mine does, it's 24 x 24 and there are two cars, no other heat source and one of those big thermometers on the wall right in front of where I park.
Markfothebeast
Well-known member
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I also live in Wisconsin and I insulate everything that drywall is going over. I even insulate interior walls for sound. In my garage I used foam insulation and sealed around the edges with spray foam. I've never been a fan of fiberglass bats.
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gtae07
Well-known member
I insulated my shop well before installing air conditioning. It made a big difference with the summer heat, keeping the temperature near the average doe the day rather than peaking at the high. Same over winter--it got cool in there bit was warmer than outside. A small electric heater fan worked well enough.
Then I added a mini split and it REALLY made a difference.
B T C
Well-known member
It seems to work well, but I've only used the heater a couple of times and only once on battery. It comes with one battery, but will hold two. I bought an extra battery when I ordered it. With two batteries, I believe it will supposedly run for ~ 8 hours.
I didn't absolutely need the cordless option, but I do live in Michigan. You never know when it may come in handy.