Tips For Improving The Insulation In Your Garage

An attached garage can ruin the energy efficiency of your home if it isn't properly insulated. This can affect rooms next to the garage, as well as above-garage living areas. You don't need to spend money heating and cooling the garage to reverse this energy loss. Instead, use some insulation techniques to solve the energy problem.

Start With a Seal

Weather sealing is the first defense. This includes weatherstripping around both the exterior access door and around the door between the garage and the house. You can use foam strips or rolled rubber strips between the door and frame to keep out drafts. You also need to make sure there is a sturdy weather sweep attached to the bottom of the overhead garage door. This will further keep out drafts, along with outside dust.

Check the Door

Most overhead garage doors are made of metal, which only provides a thin barrier to the heat or cold outside. Insulation kits are available for your garage door. These are designed specifically for use on doors, so they don't put too much weight stress on your automatic opener. The kits usually consist of foam boards that you fit into place on each panel of the overhead door.

Fill the Walls

Where you add insulation depends greatly on the design of your house and how you use the garage. If you are mainly concerned with cold getting into the main house, you can get away with only insulating the walls that connect to the garage. If you want a warmer garage, insulate every wall and the ceiling.

Spray foam insulation is the optimum choice. The foam provides a similar insulation value to other insulation types, but it's quick and easy to install. If your garage walls and ceiling are already finished, your insulation contractor can simply drill small, easily patched, holes to inject the insulation into the walls. If your walls aren't finished, they can install both the foam insulation and the wall boards at the same time.

Another benefit of opting for foam is that it lets you insulate in otherwise hard to reach areas. For example, air leaks are often found around the overhead garage door frame. You can simply inject some foam insulation into these gaps, where it will expand to fill the gap and provide insulation qualities. With a bit of planning and some consulting with an insulation contractor from a company like High Country Insulation, you can find a solution that works for your garage and home.

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