While watching a reality television show one day, you begin to think about converting your garage into a multipurpose and functional space. More than just for storage, you are looking to use the space as a place where you can tackle your future DIY projects. You may start to wonder what you will need to begin remodeling. Today, we will talk about insulation, why it is important, and how to insulate your garage. Let's take a look.
Why Insulate?
One of the main reasons why insulation is important is to ensure your comfort. Whether you live in a place where cold weather is frequent or a place where heatwaves are a daily occurrence, insulation will definitely be beneficial to have when hanging out in the garage. Another reason why insulation is important is that having insulation will save you money. Insulation can contain the temperature in the garage. This means staying warm when it is cold out and cool when it's hot, which also means you won't have to leave appliances like a heater or air conditioning on for long periods of time just to be comfortable.
Types Of Insulation
There are several types of insulation in the market. However, not every type of insulation is readily available at the local hardware store or easy to handle. Each type of insulation comes in different R-values. The higher the R-value the better the material will help the structure to resist thermal transfer.
The most common insulation is fiberglass. It is often the go-to cost-effective solution when choosing between the different types of insulation. It is also easiest to handle, as long as you wear proper safety gear when doing so. They are sold in rolls or in precut sections called batts. Fiberglass has an R-value between 2.2 to 2.7 per inch.
Rockwool is another type of insulation. It offers a slightly better insulating value with an R-value of between 3 to 3.3 per inch. Handling rockwool is similar to handling fiberglass in that it will cause skin irritations if you do not wear any safety gear. They are typically sold in batts or blankets.
Other types of insulation include loose-fill cellulose, cotton, sprayed foam, and more.
How To Insulate A Wall With Fiberglass
You will need some basic tools to complete this job on your own. Safety is a priority. So, wear safety gear like gloves, a long sleeve shirt, and protective eyewear before handling fiberglass insulation. A sharp utility knife, a staple gun with staples, and wood to help you cut the insulation to size are other the tools you will need. You will also need drywall to cover the insulation once installed.
To install your insulation, you will first need to remove the drywall in your garage. Once removed, clear and clean the stud cavities. Then, cut the insulation to size and fill gaps with insulation. Once filled, cover the insulation with drywall. It is recommended to follow specific manufacturer instructions for your chosen brand of fiberglass insulation. If you have chosen a different type of insulation material, then additional work may be required.
