You already know there are government agencies that require specific R-value ratings for the ceilings in an attached garage, but there are also other benefits of insulating and heating the space. And if you have a detached garage, the lack of rules doesn’t mean there aren’t any additional benefits.
For most, the main reason for adding proper insulation and heat is based on comfort, since no one wants to try to deal with a DIY project in sweltering heat and humidity or freezing temperatures. Plus, while that space heater might help, you’re just wasting energy since the warmth just seeps through the walls.
In addition to comfort, the following six benefits just might convince you that it’s time to improve the insulation, and maybe even the heat, in your garage.
You Can Use Your Garage Year-Round
Garages are used for much more than just keeping your vehicle protected against the elements. Today you can usually find fitness equipment, play areas, project workshops and more inside these spaces. If there is proper insulation and heat, it ensures you can enjoy the space for any activity, no matter what the weather might be.
Reduced Transmission of Heat and Cold
In most homes with an attached garage, the entry door features insulation and weather-stripping. However, those measures don’t do any good if it is very hot or cold. Each time you open the door, those conditions make their way inside your home, forcing your heating and air conditioning to work even harder to maintain the temperature. If the garage is insulated, you’ll make sure you aren’t trying to combat the heat or the cold.
Pipes and Shared Ceilings Don’t Leave Much Choice
If you have a laundry room or pipes that run through the garage, insulation and heat are a requirement. Frozen or busted pipes are time-consuming, irritating and can be messy and costly to repair. Additionally, if there’s a room above the garage, it will be subjected to whatever temperature extremes are found in the area below. This means that it could be difficult to sleep or maintain comfortable temperatures without incurring additional energy costs to battle the heat or cold leaching into the room through the floor.
Insulation Protects Your Personal Items
Whether you use the garage for storing seasonal decorations and items or for showing off collections, humidity causes rust and temperature extremes can result in damage that greatly diminishes the value of all of these items.
Protect Your Family from Carbon Monoxide
Many vehicles today have remote start systems, and they are fairly easy to engage, especially if there are little ones in the home. Without insulation in the walls, any carbon monoxide trapped in the garage can seep into your home and have a serious impact on you and your loved ones’ health.
Noise Transmission Is Reduced
Do you live in an area where neighbors are close by? If so, your early morning time in the workshop or your teen’s band practice can cause serious irritation to those who live in the immediate vicinity. Additionally, having an insulated garage also means you won’t have to hear all the racket going on around your home, such as when children are out playing or adults are using lawn mowers and other equipment.
Your Garage Door Is an Important Consideration Too!
A garage door is basically the fourth wall in the space. If you take the time to insulate the walls to the recommend standards and even add heat, but you’re using a garage door that doesn’t have any insulation, much of your efforts will go to waste.
If you want to make sure you have all the information you need to choose the right insulation for your garage door, contact us at 724-586-6590. We can also provide you with a free online quotation.
For those who are interested in updating their garage doors, our design center and image gallery are great tools for creating your own unique models or checking out the possibilities available.