To ceiling or not to ceiling.

[dsw6827]

Hello all, I am at the point in my garage build we’re I need to make a decision on my ceiling. Should I put a ceiling which could consist of many options(drywall, metal or wood) or leave it exposed. I am going to insulate the garage. It is a 30x50x14 with a hip roof. I don’t mind the looks of the trusses as is looks industrial. Chime in with pros and cons with all your experience. Thanks in advance.




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[77Birdman]

Get some dryfall paint and spray everything white or black and leave it alone for an industrial look. Without a ceiling you will loose a lot of efficiency with heating and cooling.

 

[Dirtydan69]

If you want to leave it open to the rafters then you'll have to spray foam the underside of the roof if you want any efficiency in cooling/heating.

 

[Worsedog]

The best thing I did was sort of finish the inside of mine. When I bought the place the 30x40 detached garage had two rooms and a 3/4 bath finished in it. The actual garage area was unfinished. As we began to put the insulation batts up and the OSB on the ceiling, you could feel the temperature dropping as we went.

Also with the ceiling and walls painted white it was much brighter than the darkening unfished wood.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Is the decking radiant barrier? If not, definitely put in a ceiling and blow at least a R-19 in. That should make it tolerable during the middle of summer; and help retain some heat in the winter.

 

[bullnerd]

I vote ceiling. If you ever change your mind, It will be a PIA to add it after its filled with stuff.

Whats your location btw?

 

[Stuart in MN]

What's your location? Is it hot or cold? Will you use the garage in hot or cold weather?

 

[dsw6827]

What's your location? Is it hot or cold? Will you use the garage in hot or cold weather?

Location is hot AZ, won’t be used heavy in the worst months. Roofing has some heat reflectivity.


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[matt_i]

My personal take is if you intend heating or cooling, put in the ceiling.

I am not sure if you have the peak opened up for a ridge vent or its just a sunbeam that escaped. But, if you have the ridge vent, there is almost no choice but to go with ceiling, as otherwise you are just basically wide open to ambient temp and humidity swings.

 

[rsanter]

I would spray foam the bottom of the roof deck and paint it all white or similar color to the rest of the garage. Would look cool

If you want a more finished look, you could install the rigid foam in strips between the joints at the roof deck. Then you can finish up at the roof deck with strip material. Metal or wood

 

[kbs2244]

Do you have a better PIC showing your roof framing?
It looks like you have a mix of trusses and conventual framing.

But based on what I see, I vote to leave it open.
You never know when you will want to turn something long over.
That space between the lower chords can be nice to have.

Insulate the bottom of the 2x6 rafters with 4 inch bats and a ridge vent and soffit vents.
You want circulation between the bats and the sheathing.
Then cover the bats with thin OSB or ply painted white.

Paint the trusses while you are at it.
Get a spray gun and go to town.

Get 2 or 3 ceiling fans spaced evenly, blowing down, and running 24/365.

 

[yeldogt]

Mine is open with the color ties finished --- drywall to the peak. Makes for a nice open building.

 

[carl_694]

Ceiling

 

[yeldogt]

Remember -- with high ceilings in a hot climate the heat will stratify up high. Put a ceiling fan on a rod to hang down. You don't want to move the air up high around. If AC on -- don't use the fan.

They build high ceiling in hot climates in the old days to allow the heat a place to go. In the winter a little movement is all that's needed to move the heat around. I will run my ceiling fans on low.

 

[Hollywood D]

I guess I’m in the minority. I left mine open. Every once in a while I have a tall board that’s more than 8 feet tall so being able to maneuver it between the trusses is nice. I also put some plywood up there and have empty plastic bins and boxes up there to keep them out of the way. My garage is detached. It’s a work space not a living space so I don’t really care what the ceiling looks like. I think no ceiling makes it feel bigger.

 

[dsw6827]

Made a decision, going to close it in with metal roofing.


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[bullnerd]

Made a decision, going to close it in with metal roofing.


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Boom! Good decision! imo of course!

You'll gonna love the white ceiling.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Made a decision, going to close it in with metal roofing.


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That's what I would do and insulate it.

 

[finn]

Yup...white metal and blown insulation.

Put your lighter, and any other overhead equipment in first.