Insulation question

[SuperPollito]

I have an attached garage that I am remodeling and two of the walls are attached to the house and insulated. The front wall is primarily garage door, which is easy to insulate. It is also fairly easy to add insulation to the attic.

My question is, how necessary is it to add insulation to the fourth wall? Would it make a huge difference either way?

If it matters, it is approximately 20 feet long and I am in the process of cutting holes in drywall to run electric so if I'm going to do this wall, now is the time to do it before patching and painting. Alternatively, if it won't make much of a difference, I will wait until summer to add insulation to just the garage door and attic. Thanks!

*EDIT* Also if it matters, I'm in Houston, TX, a primarily cooling environment but will not have an AC in the garage - probably just a fan.

 

[AmherstAndy]

More information would be helpful.

1. Where do you live (what type of climate)?

2. Will be you heating/cooling the space? If so, how?

3. How do you intend to use the space? Just an occasional warm up in the winter to change the oil, or 70 degrees 24/7/365?

 

[matt_i]

If just a fan then I wouldn't bother.....but you are locked into that choice.

Should you want A/C down the road you'd probably want to insulate that wall.

In my opinion, removing heat from a space (via A/C) doesn't happen nearly as fast as adding heat to it. So, by virtue of having to run it for hours instead of minutes, the insulation becomes a lot more valuable then.

 

[bdbecker]

Have you considered blowing in loose cellulose insulation into the walls?

http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/guest-blogs/insulating-stud-cavities-existing-homes

You're already going to be patching up some holes from the electrical work, what's a few more?

 

[DC73]

Not insulating that 4th wall is kinda like running refrigerated air conditioning with the windows open.

DC

 

[Marctrees]

Superpollito -

Ya, I know, most people don't really read.

I'll never understand it.

Anyway, You are in Houston, and have no plan to AC the garage.

So, logical step by step here.

Do all your wiring.

Fish down the rocked/insuled walls, Typically use "old work" outlet boxes.

This does no notable insulation disruption if done "normally" by someone who knows.

Absolutely NO need to "blow in" or whatever more insul into those cavities.

Do any wiring you want everywhere else.

If you should decide the garage is tooo hot if you work out there, THEN insulate the attic.

With a sizable wall exhaust fan, that may be sufficient for you.

Look on these links for " I Garantee" best values J&D, made in Wisconsin, marketed to Farmers, not NY Hipsters, so their prices are awesome.

For you (w 2-3 stall garage) - http://www.globalindustrial.com/p/h...ph-variable-speed-aluminum-shutters-10ft-cord

Otherwise, bigger and smaller options - But stick w JD "packaged" units, and Variable control - (note this is only Page 2 of a JD search at Global) --http://www.globalindustrial.com/searchResult?_=1479520542867&ajaxDate=1479520547817&cp=2&p=pcs_temp_do_not_sell%3DNo~pcs_vendor_store_only%3DNo~website_enable_code%3D1~~attr_brand%3DJ%26D%20Manufacturing&q=exhaust%20fan



Further, if you decide to add a window AC (best bang for buck, like VERY roughly $600), THEN insulate last walls, and some work on door.

Lastly - IF you should ever want to AC, you will need a 230v/ 20A circuit direct from Panel for it.

PUT that in, BEFORE you insulate/ rock ceiling.

Done.

Any questions/ comments on this step by step logic, go for it.

I do see now, after final review of your OP, "Houston", I see not there before, Edit added.

That answers part of the "people don't read" comment.
Marc