Photo: Pixabay

What kind of insulation do you use for an unheated garage?

Fiberglass Insulation Fiberglass Insulation Fiberglass is the most commonly used type of insulation in garages (just as it's the most popular type in homes). It's sold in precut batts and long blankets that fit between wall studs and ceiling joists.

thespruce.com - 5 Types of Garage Insulation to Consider - The Spruce

How do I convert a shed to a workshop?

Tips to Turn Your Outdoor Shed Into the Ultimate Workshop Add a workbench, pegboard and shelves. Every workshop needs a workbench or dedicated...

Last updated Apr 25, 2022

Can I use 2x4 for a shed floor?

If building on a foundation other than a treated wood frame, you will need to acquire 6 units of 8ft long pressure-treated 2x4s to put under the...

Last updated Jun 3, 2019

Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

Promotion

Insulation for your garage is typically the same insulation you use inside your home to plug up air holes and reduce the amount of colder air coming into the space and the warmer air leaving the space. It makes sense to insulate your garage, especially if you're planning to heat the space. Some types of insulation are better than others for a garage, depending on whether the space is finished or not. You may also want to look at insulating the garage door, which has different installation requirements than walls or ceilings.

Garage Insulation Basics

It pays to insulate your garage if you're adding a garage heater, whether on a permanent or as-needed basis. If you're not adding heat, there's little point in insulating. It's a popular misconception that insulation adds warmth. In reality, insulation merely slows the transfer of heat through the insulated barrier (wall, ceiling, or floor), which is good for hot and cold climates. Some say that insulating an unheated garage that is attached to the house may offer an additional thermal buffer between the exterior of the home and the outdoors. But no state requires the entirety of the garage to be insulated as part of an energy-efficiency mandate. It's also unlikely that this minimum improvement in energy transfer will offset the costs of adding extensive insulation. The walls that are shared with the house, however, should always be insulated to their maximum value.

Air Sealing

It's also important to realize the value of air sealing in conjunction with insulation. Garages typically aren't built to be airtight and have lots of air gaps to the outdoors. You can insulate the walls, ceiling, and door of the garage to the highest R-value (the higher the R-value number, the better the material's insulating effectiveness) possible, but if you fail to fill those remaining air gaps, you'll still be wasting a lot of heat. So, before insulating, go around the garage with a can of low-expanding spray foam and seal all gaps and cracks that let in the daylight. Waiting to do this after the insulation is installed tends to be a messy job. Also, make sure weatherstripping along the bottom of the garage door, window, and door frames are intact to seal off drafts. Below, we’ll break down the pros and cons of each of the five types of insulation and the factors you should consider when choosing which one is best for your garage.