Though many may think of garage insulation as an afterthought, and even ignore it totally, that is not generally recommended. For many, an attached garage may be the largest room in the home. While it is not a living space, any air that gets into the garage can easily work its way into the rest of the home, simply because insulation between interior portions of the home is not as substantial as insulation between interior and exterior portions.
While some may not need to worry much about comfort in their garage, as it is only used to access their cars, others may spend hours a day in it. Many people have workshops or other equipment that they use on a regular basis in their garage. Also, it may serve as a temporary shelter for outside pets on colder days. Therefore, garage insulation may be more important when using it for some of these applications.
Still, those comfort issues are not the only reasons why garage insulation may be necessary. Oftentimes, there is plumbing going to the garages for a sink or clothes washer. In colder climates, where pipes are in danger of freezing, having good insulation is important so pipes do not burst.
There are a number of different areas that can be insulated with garage insulation. The most effective place to start is the wall, or walls, facing the exterior areas. While most ceilings are insulated as part of the entire home, if the garage ceiling is not insulated, that is another important portion.
The most common type of garage insulation is batt insulation. This insulation is made in blocks and can easily be put into an unfinished wall, or a wall that has been stripped of its interior drywall. It is often made through a combination of cotton and fiberglass.
For those who do not want to strip the drywall from the garage, there is another option. Blown-in garage insulation is an alternative that does not require any remodeling or any stripping. A hole is drilled into the wall and a cellulose insulation material is then forced in. A contractor is usually involved in this process, due to the equipment required.
Another option for insulation is rigid foamboard. This may be a popular choice for garage insulation simply because the aesthetics are not as important in a garage. Foamboard can take the place of drywall, yet still keep the interior just as warm.