New to TX and want to insulate...

[Synstars]

...our 3 car garage in the home we just purchased. I need my man cave and the only available room is the garage, fine by me. I have my gym setup already in there, tools, and building a wood working section in the one care garage portion and keeping the weights and auto stuff in the double section.

I have read that the common thing to do is insulate the garage doors and make sure the seals are tight and fresh right? Makes sense to me but what else can I do over this winter to ensure that I'm not going to have another garage oven for next year?

I have access above the garage ceiling which consists of just framework and roof. I noticed that under the roof has the aluminum foil to deter heat but there is no insulation for the ceiling of the garage...step 2? Also, would spraying loose insulation in the walls provide enough insulation to deem worthy of doing?

Lastly, I have considered a mini split ac for the garage. Thoughts of electrical usage and function of one?

Thanks, as always guys, stay safe!

 

[Jetboy]

Install a thermostatic vent fan. I put one in my garage this year in Utah. HUGE improvement. It has 6'8" tall room above, for storage. So similar to what you describe, but probably taller a bit. Upper level temps were routinely 140-150* before fan. Keeping fan set at 105* turn-on temp reduced heat above significantly. On a 100* day I'd only see maybe 110* temps above. And the result was much cooler lower level temps all summer. The upper level did already have good soffit and roof vents. The fan significantly improved the air flow.

 

[Synstars]

Install a thermostatic vent fan. I put one in my garage this year in Utah. HUGE improvement. It has 6'8" tall room above, for storage. So similar to what you describe, but probably taller a bit. Upper level temps were routinely 140-150* before fan. Keeping fan set at 105* turn-on temp reduced heat above significantly. On a 100* day I'd only see maybe 110* temps above. And the result was much cooler lower level temps all summer. The upper level did already have good soffit and roof vents. The fan significantly improved the air flow.

Huh that is a good idea! I will have to look into that and installation. What part of Utah? Do you have high humidity? That's another concern of mine.

 

[mscot]

is it already drywalled?

 

[Toffees]

...our 3 car garage in the home we just purchased. I need my man cave and the only available room is the garage, fine by me. I have my gym setup already in there, tools, and building a wood working section in the one care garage portion and keeping the weights and auto stuff in the double section.

I have read that the common thing to do is insulate the garage doors and make sure the seals are tight and fresh right? Makes sense to me but what else can I do over this winter to ensure that I'm not going to have another garage oven for next year?

I have access above the garage ceiling which consists of just framework and roof. I noticed that under the roof has the aluminum foil to deter heat but there is no insulation for the ceiling of the garage...step 2? Also, would spraying loose insulation in the walls provide enough insulation to deem worthy of doing?

Lastly, I have considered a mini split ac for the garage. Thoughts of electrical usage and function of one?

Thanks, as always guys, stay safe!

Where are you from, so we can understand the comparison?
If you live in Houston, cooler is not enough; you need to dry out that moist air.
You're probably going to spend $$$ to make it comfortable, it may be worth looking at replacing the door entirely with one built for purpose.

 

[Synstars]

Where are you from, so we can understand the comparison?
If you live in Houston, cooler is not enough; you need to dry out that moist air.
You're probably going to spend $$$ to make it comfortable, it may be worth looking at replacing the door entirely with one built for purpose.

I lived in mountains over the last 12 yrs between Washington and Colorado state.

It doesn’t have to be house comfortable (would be nice but understandable) but at least bearable to be in during the summer without sweating bullets. I have a large fan in the garage mounted to the wall right now and it kind of helps with circulating the air but outside of that it’s miserable lol.

I was told by a few people that dehumidifying the garage would be a total pain and it would run 24/7.

 

[Toffees]

I lived in mountains over the last 12 yrs between Washington and Colorado state.

It doesn’t have to be house comfortable (would be nice but understandable) but at least bearable to be in during the summer without sweating bullets. I have a large fan in the garage mounted to the wall right now and it kind of helps with circulating the air but outside of that it’s miserable lol.

I was told by a few people that dehumidifying the garage would be a total pain and it would run 24/7.

you need an air conditioner, either duct it from your house system or add a window/split unit. a dehumidifier is useless for what you want. that's the only way you can make it work.

 

[mrblah]

if your cheap like me, hang a big giant fan from the ceiling on a rope.....works good

 

[Synstars]

if your cheap like me, hang a big giant fan from the ceiling on a rope.....works good

I am super cheap and have a huge fan in the garage but for working out it’s not enough even on rotate.

you need an air conditioner, either duct it from your house system or add a window/split unit. a dehumidifier is useless for what you want. that's the only way you can make it work.

I think I will go this route. When I get back from CO I’ll be measuring the rafters and getting quotes for spray insulation for the walls. Reseal the garage doors and before next summer hits install a mini-split.

 

[Ezlife45]

Whatever you do consider some research before you ever think of using your house ducting to condition your garage. Recipe for disaster.

Unless of course vehicles and chemicals will never be in there. Then knock yourself out.

 

[Synstars]

Whatever you do consider some research before you ever think of using your house ducting to condition your garage. Recipe for disaster.

Unless of course vehicles and chemicals will never be in there. Then knock yourself out.

Agreed which is why the mini-split will be the way for me to go.