insulation ????????????

[Rick S]

I have a 30 x 50 x16 high condo garage that I am going to sheet off with 7/16 osb no real plans of heating. but I may use a ready heater 150,000 btu once or twice a year would you insulate or do you the air gap will be ok for that amount of use.mostly cold storage
Thanks

 

[PJDiesel]

I wouldn't mess with it. I know this sounds dumb, but a few times this winter i have had to fire up a 140K BTU propane torpedo to cut the chill while working in a totally uninsulated (open eves and ridge vent) pole building.

Obviously, this is a disastrous waste of fuel, but when it is 18* inside, sometimes you have to do what you have to do.

If you were going to try to keep it above 40 or something (constantly) you would be a total fool NOT to insulate right away. Otherwise,............. whats the point?

 

[Rick S]

kinda my idea too.I think the air gap will help a little because the steel just passes the cold right inside the building.for the 1000 or so for insulation I can by alot of gasfor the 2 or 3 days i heat for a couple of hours

 

[krooser]

Keep in mind that if you insulate it you'll get that $$$ back in resale... if you sheath it without insulation the buyer (if he cares) will see a much bigger project ahead of him if he wants to use that building 365.

 

[Rick S]

Good point still lookin at all options

 

[ScaldedDog]

I'd insulate it, for sure. In the two garages I've insulated so far, neither would drop be low freezing after being insulated and drywalled, even without heating. Much more user friendly for those quick trips to the garage.

Mark

 

[Gary S]

I'd insulate it. Without the insulation, you will have a lot more water vapor moving into the walls when you do heat it temporarily. You don't want your walls and ceiling full of frost because eventually that will thaw out and the water messes things up.
The insulation and its vapor barrier will help protect the building even during temporary heating.

 

[rcleaver]

I'd insulate it to the hilt, given where you live. Since you're on this forum, you'll end up living in there eventually, anyway.

 

[boiler7904]

Gary S hit the nail on the head. I'd at least do the walls now. You could always do the attic later from above if you wanted to. If you don't do the walls now, you never will and you will eventually regret it.

 

[foss]

Definitely insulate, you would regret not doing it

 

[Identaltech]

if you insulate it will be a lote warmer.
my garage has not see below freezing since I insulated.
water dosn't drip from the ceiling after heating it.

 

[Rick S]

Well I took the input from the members of my board of directors(wife )and went with insulation ond osb.I think she can't wait for me to live at the shop on a full time basis.She has been very open to all the things I'm doing out there as far as lifts and power equiptment(air tools,welders,toolboxes,even the loft ,she still says too small)I think she wants the house garage back!

 

[jtillery]

Did you buy your insulation yet? If not, consider doing a lower R-value insualation. I found some insulation energy savings calculators online. I was surprised by the calculations.

I am insulating my 3200 sq ft shop for R-11 it is going to cost just under $1200 from a local wholesale building material supplier (I am not a contractor, but they will still sell direct). According to the calculators, I will see a $2800 savings in energy costs each year.

The minimum recommended insulation for my area is R-19 in the walls and R-30 in the ceiling, but most builders will double that. When you rerun the calculator with R-19 walls and R-30 ceilling, the payback for the increased cost will take 30+ years.

I am convinced insulation sales are really a gimmick. There is definitely a point when your return on investment is terrible, it is a much lower R-value than they lead you to believe. I know several people that have spent $1000 or more on increasing insulation in their homes to later their energy savings are only $1-$2/month.

 

[walrus]

I know several people that have spent $1000 or more on increasing insulation in their homes to later their energy savings are only $1-$2/month.

Their houses must be sieves.?

And doesn't the payback depend on the energy cost.?

One other thing is comfort, if you're comfortable working when its cold out you'll get more done