Insulating garage

[CMG]

Hello. Looking for answers for insulting garage. Living in Rochester N.Y.. summers get warm and winters are cold. Yes if it snows it gets cold. Won’t boring you with talks of that. Now I have a 24x24 attached 2 car garage. 2x4 wall studs and 2x6 truss and rafters. No soffit vents as there is no overhangs and no ridge vent or gabke vent. I’m not the home builder so please don’t ask why there is no ventilation. Also no roof vents. Not a new home was built in 70’s. I am looking to use this garage as some what of a hangout and to tinker on vehicles and atv’s. Off to my question. Could I just install insulation between the 2x6 ceiling cross members and install 7/16 osb as a ceiling?. Leaving the open end of rafters open?. I would be installing a heat source. Electric heat source. Have no gas line to home. Is this something that would work or would more preparation be needed in the rafter area. Not looking to use that space for anything. Thanks

 

[bdbecker]

You're going to want to add some method of ventilation in your attic space. If not, condensation will occur, causing mold issues. The guys living in arid climates can get away with no venting because there is little moisture in the air, but for those of us who see seasonal temp swings and high humidity, we need to have it.

 

[CMG]

I did figure that. Was just curious out of experience from others if there was a way around that. For ventilation with the setup I have what would be your thoughts?.

 

[38Chevy454]

Agree on need for some ventilation. Since you do not have soffits to provide venting, I think the best fix is to add gable end vents, with one being a powered fan to draw air in the vent-only end and then out the fan end. Seal the garage ceiling so the fan negative pressure does not **** all your heat out, you want it to pull through the attic space.

You are wise to add insulation, it will make the work space more comfortable year-round.

 

[CMG]

That’s a great idea. I would believe that is something more cost effective than to cut a ridge vent take all gutters down and figure a way to install soffit vents without having to extend eaves etc etc. I’ll definitely be looking into that. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[CMG]

Question about that gable fan vent system. I would still need vents for air to be sucked through to fan correct by some form of soffit vent correct?.The same amount of air being removed should constantly be replaced?.

 

[paredown]

Question about that gable fan vent system. I would still need vents for air to be sucked through to fan correct by some form of soffit vent correct?.The same amount of air being removed should constantly be replaced?.

Generally yes. My old boss at the construction materials place I worked used to use the example of smoking a cigar under an umbrella on a still day--no top vent, no air replacement. Same's true for top vent with no undereave vent--no replacement.

Not sure what you can do for soffit vents without an overhang. I've found the small round ones easier to sneak in if you have solid material to work with.

The other possibility would be an unvented attic assembly:
https://ecologicalinsulation.com/unvented-attic-assembly-home/

 

[38Chevy454]

Question about that gable fan vent system. I would still need vents for air to be sucked through to fan correct by some form of soffit vent correct?.The same amount of air being removed should constantly be replaced?.

That's why I suggested two gable vents, one as vent only that lets air in, and then a second fan powered vent that removes air from the attic. If you do not have a second gable end opposite the fan, you can also pull air in from another attic area, but the idea is to pull any moisture out from above your garage area.

 

[CMG]

Yes 38chevy454 you did mention that. After looking at your previous post I mis read that. My apologies. I do not have place for second gable vent but I could pull from house attic. Garage would be sealed off up there any ways. I’m really leaning toward that idea. Would seem to suit my needs best. Thanks guys again for the tips.