Insulating Your Garage – Is it Worth It?

While garage insulation is a common practice in most homes, what is its worth? There aren’t any government or housing standards that require us to insulate, so why do it? Some standards require insulation for a house with an attached garage, just to give the same common value to all walls. But houses with a detached garage have no rules.

So, is insulating your garage really worth it? Most people do it to achieve better comfort as they treat their garages as another room of the house. For those who use garages as bedrooms or important storage spaces, it may be wise to have an insulated and dry space.

Below are six reasons why insulating, drying, and heating your garage may be worth it. After reading this guide, you may want to consider insulation as your next housing project.

The Garage can be Another Room in the House

It is becoming increasingly more common for a garage to be used as an additional room, adding an extension to the house. They aren’t just for parking cars. People are using garages as bedrooms, kid’s play rooms, man caves, workout rooms, workshops, craft stations, and more.

With a well-insulated garage that keeps extreme temperatures at bay and provides a dry and temperate space, you can now get year-long use out of the garage. It provides a comfortable environment for working, exercising, having fun, or even sleeping.

Keep the Cold Out

Usually, the door that joins your house to the garage is insulated with proper weatherstripping and is heavy enough to keep out extreme temperatures. However, as soon as that door is opened, cold air can come swirling in. Each time the access door is opened and your garage isn’t insulated, you are inviting more and more cold air in. The opposite can happen in the summer time as well. During hot months, the garage can become very hot and sticky, which brings in humidity and heat as soon as the access door is opened.

This exchange can go both ways. By opening the access door, heat flows into the garage, but is lost moments later. A well-insulated room can keep both parts of the house temperate and comfortable.

We Sometimes Do Not have a Choice

There are some situations where garage insulation is actually required. If your garage has any installed bathrooms or appliances, you’ll need to keep out the cold in order to prevent your pipes from freezing. Likewise, if you have a bedroom that sits over the garage, you’ll want to at least insulate the ceiling to keep the above room comfortable enough to sleep in.

Keep Your Belongings Safe

With a well-insulated garage, you’ll be able to store any type of belonging properly and without worry. Without insulation, your garage is prone to humidity and moisture, which could damage some of your important things. Humidity and moisture breed rust, so it’s best to keep those things at bay while finding a proper way to store your items.

Stay Clear of Carbon Monoxide

If your car is in the garage, and you accidentally start it, it could begin to leak carbon monoxide into the entire home. A well-insulated garage will prevent this gas from spreading into your home.

You may still want to consider a carbon monoxide detector, however. Since the gas has no odor or color, it can be difficult to tell when a leak has occurred. Place this detector in the home with a close proximity to the garage for added safety.

Keep It Quiet

One of the biggest benefits of an insulated garage is that it can keep noise at bay, both inside and outside. If you have a project that you want to work on in the early morning that requires the use of a loud machine, an insulated garage will keep the neighbors from hearing your sounds. Alternatively, if you are using the garage as a bedroom, you will be able to sleep quietly and soundly while the insulated room keeps outside noises at bay.

Insulate Your Garage Door

Your garage door is sort of like your fourth wall, and can be just as heavy. If you insulate your walls and ceiling, but forget to insulate the garage door, then you won’t gain any of the effects. Make sure to insulate the garage door as well to get the full effect of warmth and comfort.

For any further questions or help regarding garage insulation, feel free to contact us at 1‑866‑436‑6777. We can give you professional advice and offer consultations to help you make the best decisions for garage insulation. You can also send us a request for a free online quotation.

If you are on our website and are considering buying a new garage door as well, we encourage you to use our Design Center, where you can create your very own garage door. Also view our image gallery to see what others have made in the past.