It can be expensive to insulate your garage, depending on its square foot—how much insulation you need (and where you need it). It's a really big, messy project—especially if you have to punch holes in existing drywall. If you DIY garage insulation, there's the risk of doing it incorrectly, causing long-term problems.
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.
Garages are built for cars and yard equipment and, therefore, are often not well insulated. To address this, you need to make sure the garage ceiling is properly insulated. Builders sometimes forget to insulate the floor (garage ceiling) of this type of room.
Because cars, lawn mowers, and junk don't need to be air conditioned. Also, standard roll-up garage doors aren't insulated or air-sealed, so you're paying to condition space that's constantly reheated by Mother Nature, especially if those doors get direct sun during the day.
Garages aren't typically designed to stay warm during the winter. Most lack insulation, which allows cold air to seep into the space and the concrete floor. They also don't have a heating source.
Infrared Heaters
They work well for garages that aren't sufficiently insulated because you're not losing hot air. Pros: Quiet option that can be powered by electricity, propane, or natural gas. Energy-efficient.
Additionally, if the garage contains items that absorb heat, such as vehicles or tools, they can release that heat into the surrounding space, further contributing to the increase in temperature inside the house.
It's common for rooms above your garage to be cold, because there isn't enough insulation between the ceiling of the garage and the floor of the room above. Generally, I like using spray foam insulation, but especially for this space. Why? It provides a good thermal break which helps keep moisture at bay.
Extreme temperatures can affect your comfort and damage vehicles, tools, and stored items. So, even if you do not plan to transform your garage into a living area, it may still be a good idea to ensure it is adequately air-conditioned and ventilated to prevent damage to your cars, tools, and other personal items.
TLDR: General guideline is keep is above freezing, but ideally above 40F.
Extremely hot days are certainly a problem if you enjoy spending your free time in the garage. Without air conditioning in your garage, its temperature can be as much as 10-18° F (5-10° C) warmer than the outside temperature.
Look at your garage door from the outside, then walk into your garage and close the door. If you are seeing the back side of the outer panel, it is not insulated. If you see a matching or finished interior panel, it is insulated.
The cost to insulate a 24' x 24' garage is $3,000 - $8,000. Garage size influences the cost of insulation. The 24'x24' garage will house 2 cars and some extra space for other purposes. The average cost to insulate a 24x24' garage with spray foam is $6,000.
The Garage Insulation Kit makes the Garage usable all year round, whilst reducing expenditure on heating. Specifically, you will require your heating on for less time – to obtain your desired temperature.
Installing a mini-split AC unit may well be the best way to cool a garage. While a ductless air conditioner (single-zone cooling-only unit) for your garage may be a good cooling option, if you want to be comfortable on the coldest days of winter, you should opt for a full mini-split heat pump system.
As a rule of thumb, garages that are 400 to 600 square feet will require units with a capacity of 9,000 to 12,000 BTUs, and the cost can range from $1,000 to $2,500 for the unit alone. Larger garages, such as a three-car garage, may require 18,000 to 24,000 BTU units, which could increase the cost to $2,500 to $4,000.
An uninsulated garage door is perhaps the biggest culprit for heat loss in your garage, as there is no barrier to slow the heat transfer out of your garage. In order to protect your garage from heat loss, you need a door with insulation.
Spaces such as the garage present an increased risk of carbon monoxide hazard since ventilation is usually poor when the door is closed.
Lack of Insulation
Garages aren't usually used as a living space, and don't need to be maintained as much as the rest of the home. This lack of insulation means that the room above can easily become hot in the summer and cold in the winter, as there is little to no barrier to protect against the outside temperatures.
Improved Air Circulation: Leaving your garage door open allows for better airflow, which can help keep the garage cooler and prevent the buildup of too much trapped hot air within the closed garage space. This is especially helpful if your garage doesn't have any windows to allow for ventilation.
An Open Door Is an Open Invitation for Theft
Thieves often take advantage of open garage doors to steal valuable items like bikes, tools, and sports equipment. By keeping your garage door closed when you're not actively using it, you can deter potential intruders and protect your belongings from theft.