Walls and Ceiling...should I insulate?

[GAR64]

Ok, a broad question here. Looking for advice. My garage is 30x36. 9' ceiling.
2x6 walls, trusses spaced 24". Outside has been done for a couple years but never started finishing the inside. I was thinking of a metal ceiling because I do not want to tape all that sheetrock. However, I do like sheet rock on the walls. I don't do a lot of work out there...mostly just a home for my toys. I cant see going to all the trouble of finishing without insulating, but I right now I am not planning on heat. I don't have a lot of condensation trouble now and would like to keep it that way. If I insulate ceiling/walls with no heat, will I create a problem?? Want to keep heat an option in the future. Building is all stick built, attic trusses, shingled roof with vent.

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Definitely insulate, you will be kicking yourself down the road later on if you don't!

 

[CharlestonJoe]

I agree, insulate!

 

[OccupantRJ]

Go for it. My shop is 26x36 with insulated walls with plywood covering. No ceiling yet, but a metal one will be installed and insulated above. I only heat my shop when I am in it. This week, it got down to 10 degrees one night, and 18 on another. I went out there after the oudoor temp had climbed to 20 degrees and my shop was 48 inside. I absolutely feel that insulating was well worth the money and effort. I know I will be REAL happy after the ceiling is up. In your case, I would not put up any wall covering wihout insulation, or you may want to kick yourself later. Ceilings can be insulated after installation by blown in as long as the baffles are installed before the ceiling goes up.

 

[GAR64]

Thanks for the input. I figure it makes sense to insulate but thought it might give me problems with condensation with large temp shifts outside.

 

[BigGMC]

Thanks for the input. I figure it makes sense to insulate but thought it might give me problems with condensation with large temp shifts outside.

If anything it would reduce the possibility of condensation. Once insulated, the interior air space would be protected from the temp swings.

Brace yourself for the price of insulation tho..... Here in the northeast, it jumped way up with the colder weather. Maybe its a seasonal thing, never paid attention before.

 

[Den69rs96]

Glad you started this thread. I was wondering the same thing. My 24x24 garage is attached to my house with 2x4 and trusses as well. I want to sheet rock the walls and later on put in a metal ceiling as well and I was wondering the same thing since my garage is not heated. I use a propane bullet heater when I'm out there and it works good, but its noisey and I have to open the windows for some fresh air. Would you use faced or unfaced insulation in the walls? I would think faced would be better for the exterior walls.

 

[JoeFin]

I find that in my well insulated garage - on days like we are having now with large temp swings (60s during the day dipping to 30s at night) just closing up the shop at night when the temps begin to dip down keeps my shop a good 15-20 degrees warmer then it is outside

 

[OccupantRJ]

Glad you started this thread. I was wondering the same thing. My 24x24 garage is attached to my house with 2x4 and trusses as well. I want to sheet rock the walls and later on put in a metal ceiling as well and I was wondering the same thing since my garage is not heated. I use a propane bullet heater when I'm out there and it works good, but its noisey and I have to open the windows for some fresh air. Would you use faced or unfaced insulation in the walls? I would think faced would be better for the exterior walls.

I used faced insulation in my walls with the flanges overlapped and stapled to the face of the studs, then taped all the joints before installing the interior plywood.

 

[Erampu]

Don't hesitate, insulate!

 

[Mr. Roboto]

Thanks for the input. I figure it makes sense to insulate but thought it might give me problems with condensation with large temp shifts outside.

It will help more than hurt, it will keep the temperature inside the garage more controller. Condensation forms when you experience a large and sudden temp swing. The insulation will make the temperature change inside the garage more gradual.

 

[69supercj]

Definately insulate. This past week our outside temps got down to -11 and my shop without any heat stayed at 30 degrees.

 

[67carl]

Agree with everyone else - insulate. Now, is that a '69 Firebird I see in there? What's under the cover? Look more modern, big wheels, can't figure out the tail lights - strange shape or just shadows. Details needed!

 

[GAR64]

Good eye on the Firebird Carl. It is indeed a 69. All original car. 29k miles. The other car is a 96 Corvette LT4. Looks like a nice camaro in your picture.

 

[Pate]

Insulate it! I did R-50 in the ceiling and R-19 walls. (attached to house)

 

[Stevie-Ray]

It will help more than hurt, it will keep the temperature inside the garage more controller. Condensation forms when you experience a large and sudden temp swing. The insulation will make the temperature change inside the garage more gradual.

This for sure. Most of my wall surface has been insulated over the last few months and I notice a big difference without the ceiling even being done yet.

 

[Jim Riseborough]

Yes, and use Mineral wool, not fiberglass.

 

[Armed in Utah]

I'd do it for sure...garage will stay cooler & warmer....cleaner too

Just insulate before you start building benches..they will just be in the way

 

[shooting4life]

Depends where you live. My garage is not insulated, but I live in an area where the coldest is gets in the winter is the mid 40's. My garage stays in the low 50's at its coldest and is usually in the low 60's by mid day. If I get cold I just turn on a table top $25 electric heater and it warms the area. For me, insulation would be a waste of money.

 

[67carl]

Good eye on the Firebird Carl. It is indeed a 69. All original car. 29k miles. The other car is a 96 Corvette LT4. Looks like a nice camaro in your picture.

29k original miles?! Wow. Very nice. Older lady down the street has a plain jain green 69' bird that has been sitting outside for decades, never moving. A few years ago some kids were driving around throwing river rocks through car windows and, ughhh, tossed one through her back window (most of it gone now), it somehow bounced through the car and hit the front window as well. She duct taped some thin poly sheeting over the opening which has not held up. I know rain is just flowing through. I've told her she needs to get it fixed but no dice. I can imagine the rust throughout and it sickens me. The even sadder part is she thinks when she retires in a few years she will be able to cash in big by selling it for a ridiculous amount of money.

 

[GAR64]

29k original miles?! Wow. Very nice. Older lady down the street has a plain jain green 69' bird that has been sitting outside for decades, never moving. A few years ago some kids were driving around throwing river rocks through car windows and, ughhh, tossed one through her back window (most of it gone now), it somehow bounced through the car and hit the front window as well. She duct taped some thin poly sheeting over the opening which has not held up. I know rain is just flowing through. I've told her she needs to get it fixed but no dice. I can imagine the rust throughout and it sickens me. The even sadder part is she thinks when she retires in a few years she will be able to cash in big by selling it for a ridiculous amount of money.

Hate to see cars deteriorate like that. With all the shows /auctions on TV, collector car hobby has really changed. Everyone thinks everything is worth a fortune. People who know zero about anything think they are going to to find a bargain at an auction and resell for huge profits. I mostly appreciate the originals...you cant buy originality. Anyone can spend a fortune on a restoration but they are only "real" once. My bird is also a plain jane. 350, champagne gold. Original paint is decent. Original interior is absolutely like new. Is that your Camaro Carl??

 

[Ch3No2]

Insulate for sure!...Concrete ground ambient temp is warmer in the winter than air and cooler than air in the summer...nuff said!

 

[38Chevy454]

Just like everyone said, insulation will not only keep heat inside for winter cold, but will also benefit staying cooler in summer. Insulation moderates the temps, which is a nice benefit, in addition to saving on heating and cooling costs. Putting i nsulation now is easy, and will pay off for many years.

My 26 x 48 has R-19 in the walls (2x6 studs) and R-38 in ceiling. It never gets any less than low 40's, even when winter temps dip to single digits at night and low 30's daytime.

 

[67carl]

Hate to see cars deteriorate like that. With all the shows /auctions on TV, collector car hobby has really changed. Everyone thinks everything is worth a fortune. People who know zero about anything think they are going to to find a bargain at an auction and resell for huge profits. I mostly appreciate the originals...you cant buy originality. Anyone can spend a fortune on a restoration but they are only "real" once. My bird is also a plain jane. 350, champagne gold. Original paint is decent. Original interior is absolutely like new. Is that your Camaro Carl??

Yeah, it's my '67. Nothing original about it. It was born a base V8 but someone had put in a Muncie 4 speed and 12 bolt 3:55 rear, 350 engine is from '69, RS package added and has disc brakes. I put in a TKO 600 5 speed so I could drive it on the freeway (she's my daily driver), added shoulder belts and full gauges, plus more stuff.

I always peruse CList to see what's out there as I would love to get an original V6 1st gen Camaro or Firebird. Everyone rips out the 6 and mods them, but I too like original and would like to get one. There was a time when the birds weren't bringing the money that Camaros brought but that has turned around now. Enjoy your car, it sounds like you've got a keeper!

Also, I didn't mean to hijack this thread! Sorry!