How to Insulate a Garage Ceiling Rafters – 7 Best Steps

ByTeam Fix It Published Updated

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You need to insulate your garage ceiling if you expect to be comfortable in it during winter. A warmer garage will also protect your vehicles from damage, reducing unnecessary expenses. Remember exposing your car to an extremely cold temperature will affect all parts, the delicate parts forcing you to do replacements or repairs. But insulating the ceiling will keep them safe all through. 

Read this informative article and learn How to Insulate a Garage Ceiling Rafters.

Types Of Insulations You Can Use to Insulate a Garage Ceiling Rafters

It’s advisable to know the insulations you need to use to insulate your garage before starting the project. They include; 

Cellulose Insulation 

This is fire-resistant insulation comprising recycled newspaper that’s blown into the ceiling board. It’s ideal for use in a finished garage with no exposed rafters. Then you need to make holes in the ceiling and fix the cellulose into the ceiling using a blower. 

Fiberglass

Fiberglass Chopped Strand Mat Cloth

Fiberglass is a type of insulation most people use for their garage ceilings. It comes as batts, so you’ll not have to cut it into pieces but instead fix it in the garage ceiling. If you settle for this type of insulation, remember to cover it with drywall. Doing this will protect your skin from itching, as fiberglass will irritate it. 

Rigid Foam Insulation

The rigid foam insulation comprises extruded polystyrene polyisocyanurate or expanded polystyrene. This foam is 4 inches thick, so you can cut it into different sizes to insulate your garage. If you use this type of insulation, do cover it with drywall as it’s not fully fire-resistant. 

Spray Foam

If you want to insulate your garage with insulation with good R-value and air sealing, this is the best type to go for. However, it’s expensive, making it not the best choice for those on a budget. 

How to Insulate a Garage Ceiling Rafters – Follow This Guides

Items You’ll Require 

  • A hammer 
  • Ladder 
  • Drywall 
  • Staple gun 
  • Nails 
  • Fiberglass 
  • Utility knife 
  • Tape measure 
  • Gloves 
  • Dust mask 
  • Eye protection 
  • Drywall screws 

Step To Step Guides on How to Insulate a Garage Ceiling

Inspect And Measure the Garage Ceiling

Jays Custom Creations Adding Storage Above The Garage Door

It’s advisable to inspect the ceiling before insulating it to identify loose rafters or cracks. You can do this using a ladder which will enable you to check on all the farthest corners of the ceiling. Also, check if the rafters’ screws or nails hold well on the ceiling and are free from any damage. If there are any spoilt or loose rafters, consider replacing or repairing them. 

Then using a tape measure, measure the length and width of the ceiling rafters. You will realize that the rafters are almost equal in size except those found at the ceiling’s perimeter. Don’t forget to note down the measurements for easy reference. 

Clean The Work Area

Before insulating the garage ceiling, you need to clean it. This will help do away with dirt build-up and mold in the rafters. Use vinegar to clean out the mold. Removing dirt from the ceiling rafters will make the sealants hold better onto the surfaces. While cleaning, ensure you remove all the items in there, like cars and those on shelves. 

Seal Gaps and Cracks

You also need to seal off the cracks and gaps on the rafters with expanding foam. Before applying the spray, shake it well for some time. Then fill the holes about 50% full of giving room for expansion after application and allow it to dry.

Fix The Rafters Vents 

The next thing you need to do is to install the rafter vents. But first, cut the vents into pieces according to the size of insulation you’ll use. A utility knife will help you do this with ease. After that, fix them on both sides of the garage, as you’ll do with the insulations. 

Then fix the rafter vents on top of the rafters. Use a staple gun and a ladder to enable you to reach that area. Do space the staples about 10 inches away from each other for best results.

Cut The Insulations

After that, cut the insulations into pieces that will fit between the rafters. Do this outside the garage using a utility knife. Separate the pieces according to where you’ll install them. Those for perimeter should be on the right side while those for perimeter on the left. If possible, label them out to help in easy identification. 

Read Also: How to Install a Ceiling Fan Where No Fixture Exists?

Fix The Insulations on The Ceiling Rafter

You then need to install the insulations, starting with the perimeter. Put them in the rafters below the rafter vents. If you’re using the batt insulation, you’ll not have challenges fixing them as you only need to push them in. 

But ensure you install them properly by having the front of both the rafters and insulations align to each other. This means the part of the insulation with paper faces down. Use the irregular insulation pieces to bridge the gap between the rafters. Doing this will help you ensure all through the ceiling on the garage is sealed, leaving no space for cold air to pass through. 

Cover The Insulations with Drywall

Adding Storage Above The Garage Door

Although this is optional, it’s necessary as some insulations tend to react with the skin. Installing the drywall will also make your garage ceiling look more beautiful and finished. If you opt for this, know the drywall thickness and the number of sheets you’ll use on your ceiling. 

Why Should You Insulate the Garage Ceiling Rafters?

It’s advantageous to insulate your garage ceiling, especially if you use it for various projects. The insulation will act as noise reduction. So, if you’ll be working in the garage, noise from the nearby places won’t affect you. Also, if you’re doing a project that produces a lot of noise, those around the garage will not feel it. 

Insulating this space will also prevent it from cold, especially during the winter. No cold in the garage will ensure your stored items are safe regardless of the weather. However, you’ll have to budget for it properly as you’ve got to buy the materials and pay for labor. 

How Much Will It Cost to Insulate the Garage Ceiling?

The amount of money you’ll use for this project largely depends on the size of the garage ceiling and the type of insulation to be used. You also have to budget for labor costs if you’re not going to do this project yourself. For example, if you decide to use cellulose insulation, you’ll have to spend more money to buy the material and labor. 

Which Is the Best R-Value for My Garage Ceiling?

The best R-value for the ceiling garage depends on your location and the codes of your area. But mostly, a ceiling with about 10 or 12 joists deep requires an R-value of between r-30 and r-40. 

Bottom Line 

Insulating your garage ceiling is necessary for those who spend a lot of time there doing various projects or with valuable items there. However, if you insulate the garage’s ceiling, don’t forget to do the same on the walls as you don’t want to give cold room to get in the garage. 

Then decide on the best type of insulation that meets your budget and is easy to install. You can, in this case, use fiberglass batts or rigid foam insulations, which are easy to fix on the ceiling. But don’t forget to cover fiberglass insulation with the drywall as it can react with your skin. 

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