Your home needs insulation; otherwise it will become an energy wasteland in summer and winter and cost you tons in energy bills. But it's equally crucial that your garage be properly insulated. That's because garages act as thermal barriers between untreated outdoor air and your expensively treated indoor air, controlling air movement between these spaces.
Discovering whether or not your garage is properly insulated requires only taking a few steps: remove outlet covers and use a flashlight to check wall framing for signs of insulation - likely seeing rigid foam boards (thick sheets of Styrofoam cut to fit wall thickness), or standard fiberglass batt insulation as signs.
There are various types of insulation to consider for your garage depending on its R-Value requirements and climate zone. Fiberglass insulation is one of the more popular choices; installation takes only a weekend in most garages' wall framing systems and it's relatively affordable compared to alternatives; you may even choose paper-faced fiberglass for added protection from itchy, dusty particles entering your eyes, nose and lungs.
Spray foam insulation can make an excellent choice when creating living space from your garage, as its high R-Value provides superior insulation properties and fits neatly in cracks and gaps while protecting against moisture penetration and mold growth. Furthermore, insulation of electrical boxes, switches, outlets or any other fixtures with spray foam may prevent extreme temperatures from damaging them over time.
