How to Insulate Your Garage for the Winter

An attached garage is essentially an extension of your home. While you likely don’t pay to heat or cool it, the insulation of your garage can heavily impact the overall efficiency of your home. If you want to cut your energy bill this winter, follow these steps to insulate your garage. 

For the Walls

If your garage hasn’t been finished with drywall, insulating the walls is fairly simple. Choose from the following types of insulation; buy your materials; and install them in between the studs of your garage walls.

Batt Insulation

When you think of insulation, this is probably what comes to mind. Batt insulation is usually made up of flexible fiberglass strands or cellulose (recycled paper) and is backed by paper or foil. It usually comes in rolls and can be cut to fit in between the studs of your garage walls. 

Board Insulation

A second type of insulation is foam board. These stiff panels come in large sheets that vary in thickness. The boards can be cut to fit your garage walls and offer a fairly high R-value (a standard measure of heat flow resistance) for a relatively slim material.

Spray Insulation

To seal gaps around windows, doors, and other drafty areas, consider spray foam. As a high-end material that is most often used for energy-efficient construction, you probably don’t want to cover your garage walls with it, but it is a very effective way to seal cracks that let in daylight before you install batt or board insulation.

For the Door

There are several ways to increase the insulation of your garage door. Check out the following options and choose the one that’s best for your home.

R-Value

If you’re in the market for a new garage door, then it's easiest to simply purchase a door that is already well insulated. To understand a door's level of insulation, simply look for its R-value. The higher the R-value, the better insulated the door.

Insulation Kits

If your door isn’t insulated, you can purchase an insulation kit to expedite the process. If you don’t want to purchase a kit, you can choose among the types of insulation mentioned above, installing the insulation in the “hollow” areas behind each panel.

Weather Strips

Weather stripping is a vinyl barrier that can be installed around the entire opening of your garage door. Weather strips help keep out airflow, snow, and rain. It protects the interior of your garage from the elements while improving its overall insulation.

If you need garage door services in the Cedar Rapids area, contact Doors by George. Our team of garage door professionals can inspect, repair, or even replace your garage door system. For emergency support this winter, call (319) 393-1429.