Is there a difference?

[Anarius]

I am working on insulating my detached 2 car, and I'm planning on using R-19 batts in the ceiling. However, the home center specifically indicates that the faced 23" wide batts are for wall use only.

Is there an actual difference between ceiling and wall insulation? I thought the main issue was faced v. unfaced?

As always, your help is appreciated.

 

[captaindiode]

The ceiling insulation here (NC) must be R38. I suspect that is why they are telling you the R19 is for walls. Here we use R19 in floors and R13 in walls. If it is not to be not inspected, it will not matter, but the ceiling insulation is the most important and I would suggest that if you plan to heat it you would be money ahead with R38 over time.

 

[Anarius]

Thanks,

The garage is detached and I cannot find any local code (MI) requiring the r-38 as it is not a living space. I was planning on adding blown in over the top eventually as well.

Is the R-38 because of ice dams? It probably won't get heat before it gets additional blown in.

 

[Showkey]

If your not heating the space it does not matter how much insulation you install. Garage space likely do not have a code for insulation.

If your going to heat th space R-38 in the ceiling would be the best to save on fuel. Heating part time means your savings would be less but your comfort would increase on every use.

Ceiling vs wall insulation is really only on thickness. You would not want to to install 8" insulation in a 2x6 wall cavity. Nor would you try to place 6" insulation in a 2x4 wall cavity.

Poor or weak insulation in the ceiling could cause ice dams.