Four Things to Think About Before Insulating Your Garage 

 Posted on October 08, 2024 in Custom Garages

Insulating your garage might seem like a simple task, but there is more to it than just slapping up some foam boards or fiberglass and calling it a day. Whether you are looking to convert your garage into a comfortable workspace, a home gym, or just want to keep it more energy-efficient, proper insulation makes a huge difference and our Chicago-area garage insulation specialists can help. Before you jump into a project, here are five things to consider to ensure your garage insulation is done right.

Choose the Right Insulation Material

There are a variety of insulation materials to choose from, and each one comes with its pros and cons. Some of the most popular options for garages include:

• Fiberglass batt insulation: Affordable and easy to install, this is a common choice for garages with walls already framed.

• Spray foam insulation: While pricier, spray foam seals gaps more effectively, providing better insulation and air sealing.

• Rigid foam panels: Ideal for insulating garage doors or walls where space is limited, these panels offer excellent thermal resistance.

In Chicago, where winters can be harsh, investing in higher-quality insulation like spray foam may be worth the cost, especially if you plan on spending a lot of time in your garage during colder months.

Is Your Garage Door Leaky?

One mistake people often make is insulating the walls and ceiling but forgetting about the garage door. A significant amount of heat can escape through a poorly insulated door, making it difficult to maintain a comfortable temperature in the space. If your garage door faces Chicago’s brutal winter winds, investing in an insulated door might be a game changer for keeping your garage warm. You can hire our professionals to install new, insulated doors that will improve energy efficiency and keep out the cold air.

Does Your Garage Have Good Ventilation?

Insulating your garage without proper ventilation can lead to moisture buildup, which can cause mold, mildew, and even structural damage over time. Make sure your garage has adequate ventilation before you add insulation. A simple solution might be installing a vent or fan, or, for larger projects, adding windows or skylights can help with both ventilation and natural light.

Proper ventilation is especially important if you are using the garage as a workspace or home gym. Without it, you could end up dealing with poor air quality, which can be harmful over time.

R-Value and Your Garage’s Purpose

Before deciding on the type of insulation, think about how you plan to use your garage. Are you just looking for extra storage? Or will it become a heated workshop or living space? The purpose of your garage can help guide your insulation choice. For this, it can be helpful to understand R-value, which measures insulation's resistance to heat flow.

The higher the R-value, the better the material is at insulating. For a climate like Chicago’s, where you experience both freezing winters and hot summers, it is important to choose insulation with a high enough R-value to effectively block out the cold and keep the heat in when necessary. Generally, walls in a Chicago garage should have an R-value between R-13 and R-21, while ceilings may require R-30 or higher. The right R-value depends on how you plan to use the space and whether the garage is attached or detached, especially if you plan to make part of the garage into a living space.

Contact the Chicago, IL Garage Renovation Experts with Blue Sky Builders, Inc.

For more information on how to insulate your garage properly or for help with other custom renovations, reach out to our Downers Grove, IL garage insulation team at Blue Sky Builders, Inc.. Call us at 630-852-8485 today to schedule a free on-site consultation!