An attached garage can greatly add value to your home, improving its luxury and convenience for drivers.
However, since garages are not considered habitable spaces, they are very often built without insulation, even in newer homes.
During the hot summer months in Pennsylvania, your garage can actually radiate heat into your home and increase air conditioning costs. On the other hand, any rooms located directly above or adjacent to your garage may experience increased cold floors and drafts during the bitter winters.
The question becomes whether or not it’s truly worth it to insulate an attached garage. While it may not make a massive difference in your monthly utility bills, it can greatly increase comfort and add value to your home, especially if you use your garage for anything other than storage.
Here are some reasons why insulating above a garage can be a worthwhile investment and what you should know before embarking on this project.
Why Insulate Above an Attached Garage?
Garage insulation may be one of the last insulation projects you are considering, and it can be difficult to weigh the pros and cons of investing hundreds or thousands of dollars in this endeavor.
However, there are several reasons why insulating an attached garage can be advantageous and even contribute to overall home comfort and utility savings.
1. Temperature Regulation
Many garages are not heated or cooled, meaning they experience extreme temperature fluctuations throughout the year. While you may not care too much if your garage is too hot or cold, it could impact the overall comfort of your home, including any adjacent rooms.
Like your attic, an uninsulated garage can serve as a heat magnet during the summer, radiating extreme heat into nearby rooms, especially overhead rooms.
This will cause your A/C to work harder and increase your bills. It will also make your home feel hotter and more uncomfortable.
Likewise, winter can cause heat loss from any ground-level floors nearby and lead to cold drafts in any rooms overhead.
Adding insulation helps moderate these temperatures, improving comfort and reducing reliance on heating and cooling systems throughout the rest of the house.
2. Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings
Without insulation, hot and cold air can seep into your home, forcing your HVAC system to work harder to maintain a stable indoor temperature.
By insulating above the garage, you can reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, leading to lower energy bills. While not substantial, you will notice moderate savings throughout the year, which could end up paying for itself after many years of use.
3. Moisture Control and Air Quality
One major concern of an uninsulated space in your home is the moisture buildup resulting from increased summertime humidity. This can lead to mold and mildew, as well as damage to framing members caused by moisture buildup on wood.
Insulating and air sealing your garage can help reduce moisture buildup and regulate humidity in this space, so you’ll sweat less when working there.
4. Soundproofing Benefits
Many people use their garage as a workstation, which can be noisy to the rest of the home. Adding insulation offers soundproofing benefits, allowing you to use that saw or power tools without disturbing the rest of the home.
Why Air Sealing Is Essential to Garage Insulation Projects
Insulation is just one part of the puzzle when it comes to insulation. Very often, older garages have leaks and holes due to age or quality of construction.
It’s important to air seal to prevent moisture buildup and exposure to your insulation. This will prevent any additional drafts from escaping and improve temperature regulation.
Air sealing can be done DIY using spray foam and other materials or with the help of a professional insulation contractor.
Best Insulation Options for Above the Garage
When insulating your garage, selecting the right material is important to your overall comfort and savings. Here are the most common types used for this space:
1. Fiberglass Batt Insulation
- Affordable and widely available
- Easy to install between joists
- Provides good thermal resistance (R-value)
Fiberglass batts can be installed DIY or with the help of a contractor. However, due to the shape of your garage and the difficulty of installation, it’s often advised to see professional help.
2. Spray Foam Insulation
- Superior air sealing properties
- High R-value per inch
- More expensive but highly effective for energy efficiency
Considered the most superior form of insulation on the market, spray foam offers the best r-value of any product while also air sealing your garage. This product is perfect for reaching hard-to-reach areas, such as between rafters.
3. Blown-In Insulation (Cellulose or Fiberglass)
- Ideal for existing ceilings with minimal disruption
- Good for covering irregular spaces
- Provides excellent thermal and sound insulation
Another excellent product for garage ceilings and walls is blown-in insulation, which can be installed in tight corners to prevent unwanted air transfer.
Cellulose is made of recycled materials and treated with fire-retardant chemicals to prevent fire hazards. Fiberglass provides the same benefits as batts but with added versatility to cover hard-to-reach areas.
Keep in mind that blown-in insulation will begin to settle after a decade or two, causing the insulation to lose some of its effectiveness.
Is Garage Insulation Worth It?
Yes, insulating an attached garage can be worthwhile if you have the money and want to achieve additional savings and comfort.
While it won’t make as big an impact as insulating an attic or basement, an insulated garage can help prevent radiant heat from entering your home in the summer and eliminate cold drafts in rooms above the garage in the winter.
For more information about garage insulation, costs, and methods, contact the experts at NEPA EnergySmart for a free consultation.
FAQs
Will insulating above my garage help with cold floors in winter?
Yes! Insulating above your garage can significantly reduce cold floors in the rooms above by preventing heat loss through the ceiling of the garage.
Is it necessary to add a vapor barrier?
A vapor barrier may be necessary in colder climates to prevent moisture buildup. Consult with a contractor to determine the best approach based on your home’s conditions.
Can I install insulation above my garage myself?
Fiberglass batts and blown-in insulation can be DIY-friendly, but for optimal air sealing and efficiency, professional installation is recommended—especially for spray foam.
