insulating a concrete block garage

[scottie]

hi all

new guy from scotland here

ive just finished building a concrete block garage (solid 4" blocks) and was wanting to know thne best way to insulate the inside,,it can get pretty damp here in the winter and especially this last few weeks

i was thinking fixing timber to the walls then boarding onto that, but what anbout the cavity? do i fill it or leave it empty? fix polythene to the wall to keep the damp out before the timber or will this just keep the damp in?

scottie

 

[z28toz06]

Paint the blocks on the inside with a Water blocker like UGL drylock, Then frame the walls and insulate between the studs. How cold are we talking? Or is it just moisture?

 

[Matt2point4]

Scotland gets pretty cold (obviously depends on location of the garage), but as you suggest sounds good.

 

[kbs2244]

Scotland gets pretty cold (obviously depends on location of the garage), but as you suggest sounds good.

Slow down a bit here.
There is a thing called thermal mass to consider.
If the interior is going to be kept at a constant temp. then having all that block up to temp and kept there is an advantage.
The solar guys do this all the time. Expose a lot of mass to the sun dureing the day, and then pull the drapes in the evening. The block retaines the heat.
So, if you are going to heat it even when you are not there, then put the insulation, wind proofing, and sideing on the OUTSIDE. This gives all those blocks a heat retention, and in the summer, cooling, function.
You are getting rid of the temp swings.

 

[Krodad]

kbs, you beat me to it.

Utilizing thermal mass is among the basics of my industry.

Definately use the high mass to your advantage. I don't know how you had planned on finishing the exterior, but I would insulate the exterior if it's possible for you...may not be depending on the details of the building.
If you do insulate inside, consider using extruded polystyrene...it is the best insulation when moisture is present.

 

[scottie]

thanks for all the replies, ive built it as big as i can going by the regulations we have here other wise i would build another wall right around it to give me a cavity all around but this would take me over the 30 square metres im alowed so it looks like insulating the inside it will need to be

if i stud the walls i could use sheet polystyrene then osb boards, would this be best?


scottie

 

[ZRX61]

Use that blue styrofoam on the inside right up against the wall. Then use 1x batterns so you can use OSB or Gyprock etc without connecting the wood directly to the blocks...
well, at least that's what I'd do...

 

[kbs2244]

I would still try and see if you cannot get by with an additional 2 or 4 inchs on the outside. The battens, foam panels, and siding should not add more than that.
If you cannot do that, do not forget some poly sheet behind the panels to keep everything in the wall dry. I don't like OSB in a damp enviorment. Even painted it ***** up dampness and turns to mush. Go with something plastic.

 

[BECC]

Also, get some of that spray foam to insulate between the sheets, corners, around jambs and window bucks. Either the open cell (white less stiff) or the closed cell (yellow - cant clean off the hands - hardens up).

I am just finishing our bathroom remodel and the outside wall is brick with 1x nailed to the brick. I used the white spray foam around the window jamb and noticed immediately the reduction in cold in coming in.

 

[Morrisman]

thanks for all the replies, ive built it as big as i can going by the regulations we have here other wise i would build another wall right around it to give me a cavity all around but this would take me over the 30 square metres im alowed so it looks like insulating the inside it will need to be

if i stud the walls i could use sheet polystyrene then osb boards, would this be best?


scottie

Hi Scottie, remember me? Good to see you over here.
I was thinking of putting wood ship lap on the outside of mine, for decorative purposes, but this idea of insulating the outside instead of the inside sounds like a good way to go. I'd have to batten the exterior to fasten the shiplap, so slipping 1" polystyrene under it wouldn't be too much of a problem.
Paul B

 

[1320stang]

Paint the outside with a block sealer, attach nailers to the outside for shake shingles, fill the space between the nailers with blue foam board, cover with cedar shakes.

You can also add triple expanding foam to the cores of the blocks.

Paint the inside of the block with a white sealer.