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Insulate a Garage in 6 Steps

A DIY guide to insulating your entire garage in one day.

ByBretton Keenan| Last Updated:02/15/2023
Man in a mask installing insulation in garage.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Insulating a Garage

Maybe you need a warmer (or cooler) place to work on DIY projects or you’re building a home gym. Whatever the reason, we collected expert tips from Bryan Sebring at Sebring Design Build to help you learn how to insulate your garage.

Garage Insulation FAQs

Can I insulate my garage myself?

How much does it cost to insulate a garage?

What kind of insulation is best for a garage?

Does insulating a garage door make a difference?

Which R-value should I use for garage insulation?

What is the best way to insulate garage walls?

Should you insulate your garage ceiling?

How to Prepare to Insulate Your Garage

We can recommend which type of insulation to use and how to install it, but you’ll need to determine how much of each material you’ll need for your particular garage. Below are some guidelines for determining the quantity or type you’ll need of each material.

  • Tools: To do the job yourself, make sure you have a screwdriver, drywall screws, utility knife and staple gun.
  • Fiberglass insulation: To find out how much insulation you’ll need, measure the linear feet around the entire room and multiply it by the height of the room to get the square footage. We recommend buying an extra unit of insulation. You can always return it if you don’t use it.
  • Garage door insulation kit: You don’t have to use a kit for the garage door, but we recommend it.
  • Expanding foam: If you have gaps and cracks in your wall, you’ll need to fill them in to make sure outside temperatures don’t creep inside. Expanding foam comes in a low-expanding and high-expanding form. The kind you buy will depend on how big the spaces in your wall are.
  • Drywall: The same measuring technique and purchasing recommendation as insulation applies.
  • Gloves and long sleeves: Fiberglass can irritate your skin. We suggest wearing gloves and clothing for protection.

What Type of Insulation Should I Choose?

There are several types you can use, but Sebring recommends using fiberglass insulation sold in rolls or batts (precut sections) since it's the easiest DIY choice.
 
Advantages of fiberglass insulation:

  • Easy to handle and use between framing.
  • Can be used in all areas – floors, walls and ceilings.
     
    If you’d prefer using a different type of insulation, he suggests hiring a professional. Some materials are harder to find, more expensive and require more experience to install.

Insulation Type

Disadvantages

Rockwool batts and blankets

  • Not widely available.
  • Retains moisture.

Cotton batts

  • Not widely available.
  • Pricier than other batts.

Loose-fill fiberglass

  • Loose application may cause it to lose up to half of its effectiveness.
  • Requires a special machine for installation.
  • Can be difficult to install in some spaces.

Loose-fill cellulose

  • Could be too heavy depending on where it’s used.
  • May require additional work, like drywall and framing.
  • Can settle over time, reducing effectiveness.

Polystyrene structural insulated panels

  • Must be cut to fit around pipes, outlets, etc.
  • Not structural – can’t nail anything to it.
  • Insects and animals can tunnel through.
  • Air-tight – may need fresh-air ventilation to meet safety and building codes.

Polyisocyanurate structural insulated panels

  • Expensive
  • Foil is a moisture barrier, should not be used where there is already a moisture barrier.

Rent a Dumpster for Your Garage Debris

How to Insulate a Garage in 6 Easy Steps

1. Clear the Walls

  • Remove any tools or equipment you have hanging on the walls.
  • If your garage has drywall, remove it. Consider renting a residential dumpster to toss it away.
  • Make sure to clear up any dirt and clear out the stud cavities.
  • Look for mold and clean up any chemicals in the garage, like gasoline or fertilizer. Find your nearest hazardous waste collection center to safely dispose of these materials.
Hands hammers drywall.
Protected worker spraying insulation foam.

2. Look for Gaps and Cracks in the Wall

  • Get your expanding foam and vigorously shake it for about one minute.
  • Attach the straw to the can and hold it upside down to spray it in the openings.
  • Only fill gaps about 50% full. The foam will continue to expand and fill the space.
  • Give it about five to 15 minutes to continue expanding and become tack-free. It should be completely cured — or hardened — in 8 hours.

3. Install Fiberglass Insulation

  • Staple the paper face of the insulation to the side of the stud, not the face of the stud. You’ll need to leave the face of the stud exposed to install the drywall on top of the insulation.
  • Put a piece of wood on top of the insulation to use as a guide to cut the insulation to the right size.
  • Use a utility knife to cut excess insulation so it fits the size of the stud.
  • Tuck the insulation in and staple it all the way down the side of the stud.
Hands installing and cutting fiberglass with utility knife.
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Man installing drywall with power tool.

4. Cover the Insulation With Drywall

  • Coarse-thread drywall screws work best with drywall.
  • Screw and glue drywall to the stud.
  • Place screws approximately every eight inches.
  • Do not leave the paper of the insulation exposed. This is a fire hazard.

5. How to Insulate a Garage Ceiling

  • Use thicker batt R-40 insulation.
  • With a staple gun, install rafter vents on top of the rafters. Staples should be approximately 8-10 inches apart.
  • Cut insulation to fit between the rafters and shove it into position with the paper side down.
  • Repeat across entire ceiling and ensure there are no gaps or crevices when done.
Hands installing insulation in garage ceiling.
Light Bulb Icon.

Pro Tip

Cut rafter vents to match the size of the insulation and pre-cut the pieces you’ll need. This will help while you’re up on the ladder. Also, consider asking someone to help pass tools and materials up to you to avoid heavy lifting or losing balance.

Inside of a garage door.

6. How to Insulate a Garage Door

  • Determine if your garage door is constructed of steel, wood frame-and-panel or flat.
  • Cram flexible insulation in the frames around the panels or squeeze pre-cut foam board insulation into the frames for a steel door.
  • For wood frame-and-panel, cut and secure stiff insulation into the recesses between the door frames.
  • Foam board is the best fit for flat garage doors. Just tape or glue the insulation to the door.
  • Keep in Mind: Insulating the garage door means you’re adding weight to it. You may need to change the springs to retain tension and balance so it closes properly.

Expert Contributors

Bryan Sebring

Bryan is the president and founder of Sebring Design Build, a remodeling and home building company founded in 1999. Sebring Design Build originally began in Illinois and has since expanded to the Nashville suburbs of Franklin and Brentwood. Bryan has been working in the construction industry since 1993.

 

Other Sources

All About Insulation R-Values. Retrieved from The Home Depot

What Do You Think?

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