Reasonable insulation for garage...Suggestions wanted

[vtcruiser60]

I am looking to insulate my 25 x 23 two bay garage for winter work. I would like to heat it with my existing kerosene heater, to a reasonable working temperature. This will not be an all season room for the kids to enjoy. The walls are 2x4, 16 inch off center and open. The exterior walls have plastic siding and 1/2 inch foam insulation stapled to the walls (tyvek is present as well).

What is the most reasonable way to get some modest insulation in there?

 

[45Kevin]

Fiber-glass batts with a poly vapour barrier on top of the insulation.

 

[nicholastheczar]

I would suggest R-13 fiberglass batts for the walls. R-13 is the current standard in new home construction with 2x4 walls on 16" centers. Home Depot is offering a $100 gift card for every $300 you spend on insulation right now. I just bought $315 worth of R-13 and R-30 for a little "mother-in-law" quarters I am remodeling right now.

 

[vtcruiser60]

I am thinking fiberglass is better. I had a spray foam company give me an estimate today. For our two bay garage, it will be only $2350. Mind you that is more than I paid for my Fj40 or FJ60.

fiberglass it is....

 

[JRFJ4-]

Radiant Barrier

Look at the foil insulation. It's a radiant barrier insulation, it reflects radiant heat instead of absorbing it. www.insulation4less.com It is easier/better to work with (no itching).

I am installing the Prodex in my shop/apartment. You can't beat the price for what it does. I talked to alot of people that have used it and everybody loves the foil insulation.

Remember fiberglass insulation is not as effective in humid weather.

 

[trainrech]

Batt insulation is pretty easy to do - I'd suggest it as an economical way to get what you need.

 

[kruzinboots]

X2, Just wear a long sleeved shirt to minimize any itching.

 

[vtcruiser60]

Price is an issue here, and I think the fiber will be cheaper than the foil/bubble/foil stuff....pricing though is very competative. I'll snap some pics to get more input.

As an aside, I told my wife about the foam spray estimate and dropped her jaw (oddly giving me the same face when I told her about a hi-steer set up for the 74). When I told her that fiber would be much cheaper she was all for it. I have to try that strategy again.

 

[trainrech]

X2, Just wear a long sleeved shirt to minimize any itching.

Add gloves and safety glasses or goggles as well.

 

[Nagalfar]

You might want to check with you local power company as well, a lot of them give rebates for people adding insulation ...

 

[PHBeerman]

You also get a federal tax deduction for adding insulation. Maybe a state deduction as well.

 

[oldIron]

You might want to check with you local power company as well, a lot of them give rebates for people adding insulation ...

You also get a federal tax deduction for adding insulation. Maybe a state deduction as well.

I will be going with fiberglass as well in my garage (detached). The issue with the above at least in NH is it has to be for living space. I did receive credit this year for a few new windows. My tax guy did tell me to keep the reciepts for next year though .

 

[cruiser88]

insulation board for the lack of a better term

 

[vtcruiser60]

update:

I asked another insulation company to offer up a bid on installing fiberglass insulation. Their bid comes in at $696 for 850 sq ft of R13 batting in the 2x4 walls and ceiling. They will install baffling in the ceiling, between the roof and new fiberglass, as well as 6mil plastic to cover it all. At that price, I am looking at 82 cents a square foot installed.

If I do it, buying the supplies from home depot I estimate (including tax) materials at $452, or 53 cents a square foot. I figure with a buddy, it will take me 10-14 hours on a weekend, maybe longer.

thoughts...???

 

[066wally]

Is the roof of the garage peaked and is that where you plan on insulating? Or are you going to insulate to a lower ceiling - say 8ft. above the floor? Reason is that the heat will rise to the highest point and if you insulate at the peak of the roof all of the heat is going to end up there and it will be hard to heat the whole garage. But if you can insulate to a lower ceiling it will be much easier to heat, everything above the ceiling will still be cold, but who cares. Kerosene heaters and the like will use up O2 so you need to think of a vent for it also. Heated garages are the cat's ass, I wish I had one.

<<You might want to check with you local power company as well, a lot of them give rebates for people adding insulation ...>>
and
<<You also get a federal tax deduction for adding insulation. Maybe a state deduction as well.>>

Probably not for a garage he is going to heat with a kerosene heater. The utility companies give rebates to people that use less of their energy.

 

[sseaman]

also use rigid foam on the doors, this will make a huge difference, and the ceiling is important to minimize loss

 

[vtcruiser60]

I went ahead and hired up the insulation guy to do the fiberglass insulation install. His supplier was out of R-13 fiber bats, so he installed R-15 in the walls and ceiling (My score). His price came down to $630 for everything. I would have been able to buy this insulation (r-13) at home depot for $540, but it would have taken me 2 days to install. I am psyched. Install cost is down near to $.75 per square foot. I have already covered the walls with OSB and have a coat of white paint on.

Now I have to work on a bench and shelving for the cruiser parts.

 

[apeterson]

I went ahead and hired up the insulation guy to do the fiberglass insulation install. His supplier was out of R-13 fiber bats, so he installed R-15 in the walls and ceiling (My score). His price came down to $630 for everything. I would have been able to buy this insulation (r-13) at home depot for $540, but it would have taken me 2 days to install. I am psyched. Install cost is down near to $.75 per square foot. I have already covered the walls with OSB and have a coat of white paint on.

Now I have to work on a bench and shelving for the cruiser parts.

sounds great!!!!!!!!! pics............

 

[kulangot]

Get a small pellet stove, awesome for heating a garage and no fumes like kerosene. You can score them for cheap if your lucky.

Easy to vent out the wall and needs little tending. Safer around welding than fossil fuel...

I heated my 24x47 garage with one. Stacked all of the steel drops around it to absorb heat and radiate it out later - also made the steel warm to the touch when metal working in the winter! Keeps a cup of coffee warm too.

-Stumbaugh