Garage insulation is probably not something you think about very often. Most homeowners keep their attics and walls well insulated because they know it saves on energy costs. And because garages aren’t conditioned, there would be no sense in insulating them.
Is that really so? An uninsulated garage can become as hot or cold as it is outside. Within the garage it isn’t a problem, but if your home shares uninsulated walls and a ceiling with the garage, then it is a problem. And you should know no insulation in the garage would mean fumes from the garage can enter your home.
The best way to keep the harmful elements in your garage from entering your home is to insulate the walls and ceiling that is shared between the garage and home. The right type of insulation can make such a big difference, so make sure you know which one to pick.
Batt insulation is a popular choice, and it’s the first type that people think about when they talk about insulation. But it is not the best choice for the garage even if its R-values (the rating of insulation performance) are similar to other insulating materials.
Batt insulation is installed in rolls, or batts. The batts can’t seal the spaces between the wall and ceiling, and gaps can also form between the rolls. The gaps can let energy escape from your home, and allow fumes to enter. Batt insulation is also quite susceptible to moisture damage.
With foam-board insulation (solid sheets of molded polystyrene), you get the same R-values, but less bulk. However, foam-board insulation also does not fill all the gaps in your wall and spaces can occur between the sheets of insulation.
For less energy loss and fume seepage, get insulation that can fill every gap with a tight seal. This would mean getting spray foam insulation. R-values are the same as similar thicknesses of foam-board insulation and spray foam insulation is resistant to moisture damage.
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