Streamline Your Energy Costs with an Insulated Garage

A garage can be put to use in many ways. Beyond functioning as a place to park the cars and keep that backup freezer, a garage can be a studio, a well-organized storage space, or even a place for your up-and-coming band to rehearse. Most garages aren't insulated, though, which makes fighting the extreme cold and heat very challenging. Installing insulation can seem like a daunting task, but knowing what to look for and how to proceed will help you to stop talking about it and start insulating.

First, understand that your garage will need to be insulated on all three walls, the door, plus the ceiling and floor (yes, the floor). Choosing which type of insulation to use begins with a check of your walls - are they masonry? Stud construction? Are the studs noticeable from inside the garage? If you have masonry walls in your garage, you're in the minority - and you're also out of luck; masonry walls are very labor-intensive to insulate and perhaps not remotely worth the cost it would take to do so. If your walls have stud construction, the most favorable scenario is if the studs are, indeed, exposed. If not, it might still be worthwhile to insulate, but it's very time consuming and requires skill, and you'll most likely have to hire a professional to spray foam insulation.

Assuming you're one of the many homeowners with the ideal exposed-stud construction in the garage, you now need to decide which form of insulation you want to install. R-value (quality), size, and material are all variables. Higher R-value insulation is more useful, but also costs more. You'll probably be going with blanket-type insulation, as it's the most common, and though it's usually made of fiberglass, you can also find cotton-made blanket insulation. Determining the size of insulation is simply a matter of measuring between the studs in your garage, as well as the depth from the outer edge of the stud to the wall. It's up to you what you want to cover the insulation with after installation. Drywall is a favorite choice, as is pegboard. You can install either of these choices yourself if you have the skill.

If you're using fiberglass insulation, be sure to cover all areas of your skin, wear gloves, and invest in a pair of safety goggles. Next, measure out the amount of insulation you need between each stud, cutting it off the roll with a utility knife. With the paper facing you, use a staple gun to connect the edges of the paper to the studs on opposite sides. It'll be a little tougher on the muscles, but you'll want to repeat these same steps in order to insulate the ceiling.

Every form of insulation must be covered with some sort of enclosing material like pegboard or drywall. Once the major portions of your ceiling and walls are finished, make sure to take the additional measures to properly insulate the floors and garage door. Get a garage door that has a high R-Value to coincide with the climate changes you might experience in your area. Invest in some quality sealant as well to avoid rain water and drafts from entering underneath the door and to protect the surface of your garage flooring.