Garage upgrade!

[Stomis]

Finally got into something bigger/expanded! From 25x12'6" to 31 x 15. Seems SO much bigger but the wife says its cause my **** isnt in it yet lol. We'll see though. All I know is the ceiling is taller, I wont be hitting my head anymore, my trooper will fit in it and now I can actually open the doors all the way when I work on something!

Damn Im excited. Now the real question is do I insulate a sheet rock before I move my **** in...

 

[y5mgisi]

Yes! Insulate! I would kill to have my garage insulated.

 

[Highpsi]

First of all, congrats on the bigger garage! I'm sure you're gonna love that extra room pronto..

Since I see you are up North my suggestion is, DO NOT move your stuff in without insulating first! Or at least leave room around the walls to work.

I've had 4 different places since I moved up to Wisconsin, two were rentals with no insulation in the garage and the third was the first home I had built and I had the builder insulate and drywall it. For the cost, you'll NEVER regret it. I look back on the rentals and there's just no comparison at all. There's nothing like going out to your garage in the morning when you feel like wrenching and its nice and warm when bitter cold outside.

I know money doesn't just grow on trees, but heck even if you don't have time to do the job yourself maybe just contract it out if you're in a hurry.

The heat loss and massive bills from trying to heat the thing if you like working in the winter will more then offset what you'll pay somebody to do the job within a few years I'd guess.

I just installed a 45k BTU natural gas heater in my insulated, drywalled 24 x 32 garage this last November. That sucker has been running a LOT this winter and I've had some pretty sizable bills for gas. And that's with a very well insulated garage (door walls, ceiling etc). Granted this winter has been beyond brutal with cold days and nights but I don't regret running it all the time and keeping the garage at 50. I can't imagine how bad it would be if it were not insulated.

But then I simply HATE cold. I guess it all depends on your preference.

 

[FOR MUD]

It's so much easier to add before you pile all your stuff in there...Then next year move it all out when you decide you want to insulate. If you have the cash, throw up the drywall at the same time. Your only looking at 8 - 9 bucks a sheet. If you don't want to take the time to finish it, just run some white caulk in the joints and call it done.

 

[y5mgisi]

I just know that even when it's downin the 30s, iI have no desire to go work in my garage. If it was insulated, I could keep it even in the 50s with a small space heater. Pretty easily and I would get a lot more work done!

 

[ezoliver]

Insulate before! PIA to move all the crap around. My dad just decided to insulated his entire 50'x60' steel shop....

Took alot of work but man the weather inside is soooo much better now! The wood stove can warm up the entire building an additional 10 degrees in 2 hours on a cold day. Being able to be work in 55 degrees when its 20 or less outside feels damn nice.

My brother even fell of the top of the ladder and broke his arm in two places. Luckily that was all however.

Looks pretty good I think, also seemed to help make it brighter.

 

[76zimmer]

Congrats, you just increased your space by 50%
DEFINITELY insulate...it also helps to keep the spring thaw frost and moisture from infiltrating everything (if you keep it closed up)
I only have 4" on ceilings and walls and it makes such a huge difference between the heat staying in and not.
You will not regret it!

 

[Stomis]

Did some math after measuring today. Would need $315 worth of sheet rock and $350 worth of insulation to completely finish the walls and ceiling. Also was looking at painting the floor but I dont think its worth the effort for a year or two stay before I move. One wall I need to build a fo interior wall down out of 2x3s. I'll loose 2-1/2 inches of space but its the only way I could insulate it.

Im going to do the wall and ceiling area that I know my tools and bench will be against for the time being. I gotta take some before pics too.

 

[diesel4me]

Could you use the 1" or 2" foam board?...thats better than fiberglass in a garage,it wont get wet and lose its insulating properties ,and foil faced sheets help reflect heat back into the garage...

 

[shady]

Yes! Insulate! I would kill to have my garage insulated.

insulation is cheap and SO worth it. i did my garage with all the old stuff i pulled out of my walls when i redrywalled the house. super cheap for me

 

[rdn2blazer]

Thats awesome man, stoked for you bud!

 

[jekquistk5]

Upgrading shops is awesome. Having adequate space is key.