Why Should I Insulate My Garage Or Workshop?

Insulating a garage reduces air loss and stops air from entering the structure. This helps prevent moisture build-up and condensation, keeping the building and its contents mould and mildew-free. Good-quality insulation can also help dampen noise entering or leaving the garage.

So, insulating your garage or workshop makes it more comfortable, quieter, and drier year-round.

5 reasons to insulate your garage or workshop

Let’s look at 5 reasons why you should insulate your garage or workshop.

1) Protect your car

Storing a car in a cold, uninsulated garage can affect its long-term performance. Icy temperatures can brittle windshield wipers, thicken car fluids, and affect your battery - this is especially important for electric cars. Moreover, humidity can cause rust, slowly eating away at the metal and creating expensive damage.

So, adding insulation to your garage or workshop can help keep your car in better condition and save money on maintenance. Plus, you won’t have to scrape ice off the windshield or put up with a very cold steering wheel in the winter.

2) Make your garage or workshop comfortable 

Insulation will help keep the temperature inside your garage or workshop warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Overall, spending time in it will be a lot more comfortable year-round. So you can use your garage as an art studio, gym, games room, and much more.

If you want to sit in there for long stretches of time, working from your laptop or meditating, you must add heating.

3) Make your garage quieter 

Insulation also absorbs and blocks sound waves, helping reduce external noise and making the room quieter. 

If you hope to use part of the garage as an office, workshop, or studio, you’ll want to install good-quality insulation. This will allow you to focus on your work without distractions.

4) Safeguard stored items 

Humidity can cause rust, while temperature extremes can cause damage. Insulation helps prevent both.

So, consider insulating the structure if you plan to store gardening tools, bikes, or Christmas decorations in your garage. 

5) Save on heating costs

A well-insulated garage is more energy-efficient, as it traps warm air inside and keeps cold air out. 

If you plan to install heating in your garage or workshop, add a layer of insulation to save on the heating bill.

Common questions about garage insulation

If you still have doubts about garage insulation or want to learn more, keep reading. Below we reply to the most common questions about the subject.

Is it worth insulating a garage?

Yes, insulating your garage is a good investment. Adding insulation will pay off whether you plan to use it as a storage area or turn part of it into a gym or workshop. 

Your car and precious belongings will be safe from rust and damage, and the room will stay comfortable year-round. 

Bear in mind you might decide to convert part of your garage into a gym or hobby room later on; our needs and preferences change over time.

Will insulation keep my garage cool?

Yes, in warmer months, insulation will help keep your garage cooler. In colder months, it will help keep it warmer.

How much of a difference does an insulated garage make?

Insulation makes a big difference to a detached garage. Because all the walls are exposed to the elements, air can enter the structure more easily. 

Timber garages already benefit from wood's natural insulation properties, so adding insulation sheets between the cladding and inner lining can make an even more significant difference.

Is it hard to insulate a garage?

Adding insulation to your garage isn’t tricky. However, it’s a lot easier if you install it during the build. 

When adding insulation as you build the structure, you can simply line the floor, walls, and roof with your chosen insulation material before you install the lining. 

If you want to add insulation later, you must clear the inner lining to access the gap between it and the cladding. This isn’t difficult, but it takes more time and effort. Plus you won’t be able to use your garage for a few days.

What type of insulation is best for a garage?

At Olson Timber Buildings, we recommend using Rockwool insulation. This is a rock-based mineral fibre insulation containing basalt rock and recycled slag. 

Mineral wool panels are much denser than standard fibreglass insulation. For this reason, they have a 22-37% higher R-value per inch, offering better thermal and sound insulation. 

Rockwool insulation is more expensive than fibreglass insulation, but it provides better temperature management and noise dampening. Because the rolls are made from recycled materials, it’s also an environmentally friendly choice.

When you order one of our timber buildings, you can add Rockwool insulation installation to your build.