While insulation is complete after installing the batts in the walls and ceiling, you might consider installing drywall over the insulation. Doing so will enhance the aesthetic appeal, temperature regulation and noise reduction of the insulation, and it may even increase the value of your home.
Yes, you can install batt insulation in your garage walls without using drywall (Sheetrock). However, there are a few important considerations:
Fiberglass insulation needs to be covered in any occupied area of the home because it can enter the air and end up in your eyes, lungs and skin. If you have exposed fiberglass insulation in a common area of your home, you need to cover it — but drywall isn't the only solution.
No, it's generally not okay to have exposed insulation.
Garages often have power tools in them, flammable materials, and also people who work on cars with products that could catch fire. Installing drywall would be a good idea to keep it a safe area.
If you're simply storing your car in the garage, which is the intended purpose, you don't need insulation. However, if you plan to use your garage like an extension of your home, as many homeowners do, adding insulation can definitely be a worthwhile upgrade.
Health hazards of interacting with exposed insulation include: Risks of skin, eye and lung irritation. Potential for mold and mildew growth. Risk of increased health problems for kids, as uncovered insulation isn't child-proof.
Rigid Foam Boards: These are commonly used for concrete slabs due to their high insulating value and resistance to moisture. Spray Foam: Provides excellent air sealing and can be applied directly to the slab.
Heat loss can occur through air leaks in windows, doors and walls. Warm air can also leave through materials like glass or uninsulated walls or doors. Common areas for air leaks and heat loss in the garage include the following: Walls: A lot of garages have uninsulated walls.
You should always install a vapor barrier to protect exposed ceiling insulation even if it's temporary. Consult with a building or safety expert to confirm where else in the structure a vapor barrier may be required.
Can you insulate without removing drywall? Yes, you can! The drill-and-fill method and injection foam are two popular techniques.
ECOCELL Blankets can be left exposed or even painted. Unlike other insulation materials, ECOCELL does not have to be covered with gypsum board. Leaving ECOCELL exposed is another reason ECOCELL is the cost effective solution for insulating basements and crawlspaces.
The majority seem to agree that insulated, unheated garages, should be allowed to breathe. If the garage is heated, you will need a vapor barrier, otherwise you will get frost and mold.
Insulating an unheated garage alone may not necessarily cause mildew, but the risk of mildew increases if there isn't proper ventilation. Insulation can trap moisture in the garage, especially in humid climates, creating a perfect environment for mildew growth.
The Best Insulation for Garages
Spray foam insulation is a great choice for garages to seal gaps and provide high thermal resistance for stable temperatures. For those on a budget, fiberglass batts or fiberglass rolls offer solid insulation performance and are easy to install in walls and ceilings.
vapor barrier is located on top of the rigid insulation between the rigid insulation and the bottom surface of the concrete—in direct contact with the concrete. Do not, and I repeat, do not locate the [vapor barrier] under the insulation as it will keep the insulation wet.
Laying insulation atop concrete slab: This method consists of making a sort of “sandwich” with the insulation and your slab to eliminate thermal bridges. Here, the insulation panels are laid in place and covered by a concrete screed. Laying under-slab insulation: This method is ideal when renovating the existing floor.
A damp proof membrane will commonly be laid during the construction of a concrete floor in a new build to protect the floor from rising damp. It is a good idea to lay a damp-proof membrane underneath the insulation. This will prevent capillary action of the water.
Exposed insulation can cause a variety of problems that can significantly impact your health and comfort. The level of risk depends on the type of exposure, the duration of the exposure and the location of the exposed insulation in your home. Exposed insulation in basements, attics and garages is the most common.
In general, the color of insulation doesn't equal better performance over another color. Whether it's pink, white, brown, or yellow—color doesn't influence dependability, reliability, or the products effectiveness.
If the insulation is ever disturbed, it can cause many health problems that are otherwise easily avoided. Breathing in fiberglass particles can irritate your eyes, lungs, and skin. This health risk is probably the best reason you want to cover your fiberglass insulation.
For those that spend a lot of time in the garage or have some of their most valuable belongings in there, putting up drywall in your garage is definitely worth while. It adds protection, appeal and longevity to your garage as a whole.
Two other garage wall covering alternatives to drywall are fiberglass reinforced panels (FRP) and wallboard panels. Keep in mind that these products are used only for covering and finishing walls and aren't designed to accommodate hanging storage systems.
When it's cold outside, the drywall contracts, and when it's warm outside, the drywall expands. This can cause the drywall to crack along the seams. Another reason is because of the moisture in the air. When the air is moist, it can make the drywall swell and cause it to crack.