Little insulation help for the space heater

[Justin87]

Hello all,

I’ve been lurking around on here reading various topics for a while but this is my first question, so I apologize if it’s in the wrong spot.

I’m located in south eastern Wisconsin and as the weather is already turning cold, I’m already looking into ways to improve my heating situation in the garage.

My garage is a detached 20 x 20, with a single car door and exposed 2 x 4’s. It has a 8ft ceiling on it with an attic space above it. Zero insulation, built in the early 30’s.

So obviously in the winter, it’s extremely cold.

Last year, while working on my project car I used a hand-me-down 30,000 btu forced air propane tunnel heater, which worked but came with the usual pitfalls of propane heaters (mainly it being loud, and having to keep the garage door cracked or some type of fresh air flow) so I’ve been looking into ways to help it along and hold the heat better so that maybe I won’t have run it as much.

Obviously a full fiberglass batt insulation job would be best, I know that. However, I’m not 100% sure that it’s the best idea for several reasons. (the age and condition of the overall garage, funds needed for other household projects blah, blah, blah) It’s just not in the cards this year. Maybe next year.

All this leads me to my question:

Does anyone have an experience with reflective radiant barriers as a means of holding heat in?

I was thinking if I installed some on my ceiling over the 2 x 4’s with an air gap that it might help hold the heat in while I am out their working this winter.

I know it’s not as effective as insulation and I’d still have to give the garage time to heat up before heading out there, but at least on paper, it seems like not a horrible idea to me.

Waste of money? Thoughts? Any ideas are welcome. Thanks for your time.

-Justin


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[NUTTSGT]

Justin, welcome to GJ.

Spend your money on insulation. Do it right the first time and get a return on your investment. Every time you heat the space, insulation is saving you dollars

You don't have to do it all at once, you can do it as funds permit. Menards has rolls of R11/R13 in lengths of 40'/32' respectively. They're about $10/roll.

Go grab one or two a payday and install them. Work your way around the garage, move stuff, install and put stuff back.

Granted, that is for the walls but the ceiling is more important. How's your ceiling built ? Can you attach a picture of it ?

 

[Justin87]

Justin, welcome to GJ.

Spend your money on insulation. Do it right the first time and get a return on your investment. Every time you heat the space, insulation is saving you dollars

You don't have to do it all at once, you can do it as funds permit. Menards has rolls of R11/R13 in lengths of 40'/32' respectively. They're about $10/roll.

Go grab one or two a payday and install them. Work your way around the garage, move stuff, install and put stuff back.

Granted, that is for the walls but the ceiling is more important. How's your ceiling built ? Can you attach a picture of it ?

Sure!

Like I said, garage built in late 20’s / early 30’s so it’s old and, at least to me, the wood itself it doesn’t look great.

Here is the ceiling:




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[p_mori7]

Insulation is dirt cheap compared to burning BTU's.

 

[Noltz]

Get yourself a few rolls of insulation and heavy plastic wrap. Start with the roof.

Rigid foam can be used in walls. Cuts nicely with a circular saw. Just pop it in the wall cavities.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, Any insulation is better than no insulation. If you need to you can put it in as you save money on your heating.

 

[TractorJeff]

Do the Ceiling first!
Make sure no air leaks up the Attic Access hole. Remember heat rises!
Use the Fiberglass rolls a couple every payday.
Watch Facebook Market Place and Craigslist if you want to put Rigid Foam in the walls as often it comes up for Sale.
Put some sort of Insulation on the Garage Door.