Insulating a old clapboard garage.

[zx2slow]

Just closed on my first home. We have a 2 car garage (Rare in this neighborhood) that appears to of been build in the 1930's. Its simply bare studs inside covered with cedar clapboard siding, id like to retain some heat when working in there in the winter.

Should I just wrap some vapor barrier and staple on some fiberglass mat?

 

[The FIB]

Easiest way would be to get the fiberglass insulation that is "faced", no vapor barrier needed, You just staple it to the studs. Get the proper size for your bay width and depth (assuming they are spaced properly). Goes up pretty fast.

 

[The FIB]

Just closed on my first home. We have a 2 car garage (Rare in this neighborhood) that appears to of been build in the 1930's. Its simply bare studs inside covered with cedar clapboard siding, id like to retain some heat when working in there in the winter.

Should I just wrap some vapor barrier and staple on some fiberglass mat?

If you put your vapor barrier up then put fiberglass on that, it would place the vapor barrier on the wrong side of the insulation. The vapor barrier should face the side with the conditioned (heated) air.

 

[zx2slow]

Is moisture going to be an issue between the fiberglass mat and siding?

 

[The FIB]

Is moisture going to be an issue between the fiberglass mat and siding?

It would be if there is any kind of moisture getting past the siding, like a wind driven rain or snow.

 

[zx2slow]

There are no holes but moisture finds a way to get in there IMHO.

 

[The FIB]

If your siding is not weather tight, You might be able to staple in a house wrap inside the bays before you put the insulation in. Maybe somebody else will have some suggestions on that.

 

[rieferman]

Easiest way would be to get the fiberglass insulation that is "faced", no vapor barrier needed, You just staple it to the studs. Get the proper size for your bay width and depth (assuming they are spaced properly). Goes up pretty fast.

Assuming that your clapboards aren't leaking, this is what I'd do. In fact, this is what I actually did in my barn when restoring it. I then added interior wall covering (OSB downstairs, Sheetrock upstairs).

 

[bazzateer]

Leave a small air gap between the insualtion and the clapboard wall to allow any moisture that does get in to drain/evaporate away.

 

[Cyberbear]

Faced fiberglass insulation in batts or rolls is no doubt the cheapest and fastest to install. Since you already have the siding in place you may wish to cover the walls in plastic after the insulation, and then drywall the interior. Each part of the country does it a different way, you may want to check with the building dept., or talk to a drywall installer and see what they have to say. They also make rigid foam insulation panels that can be used, better than fiberglass but more expensive, I'm told.

 

[hangfirew8]

As bazzateer said, leave some room for the clapboard to breathe, or it will rot.

Personally I would consider putting up mylar backed foam insulation on the inside of the studs and tape it for air tightness. It's pretty cheap in 4x8 sheets. Put ducts in the bottom. In the Summer you can open the ducts and get convection between the studs. In Winter close it up and enjoy the insulation. If you want to dry wall it later, face the stud locations with firring strips and have at it.