Insulating garage ceiling - what type (fiberglass) ?

17 years ago

(I also posted this on the Garage & Workshop forum - not sure which one is best place for this question)

Hi,

I have a two car attached garage (21x22) with a cathedral ceiling (but with trusses across). It is currently completely uninsulated. The 2x4 walls are finished with drywall. The roof is not at all.

Since I use this space as my (hobby) woodworking workshop and we live in NJ (snowing right now) I want to insulate the space and start with the roof, naturally.

Now rumor has it that I can't just install fiberglass batts (while allowing for ventilaton behind the batts, I know) but I would have to cover them for safety reasons.

I don't want to drywall the ceiling, that would be a bear of a job. What other insulation material can I use that meets typical codes ?

I would also have a contractor blow in insulation into the wall cavities. The garage doors are insulated. Windows are double pane.

Thanks a lot !

Patrick

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Comments (7)

yakimadn
17 years ago
Thought about styrofoam?? Pretty fool proof and can be glued in place with seams taped or just use your imagination. Is the drywall finished, or can you take it down and put it back up after you insulate?

Dave
pauster
Original Author
17 years ago
Hi Dave,

what about the styrofoam fire rating ? I want to leave it unfinished. If it is acceptable to building inspectors it would be great !

I don't want to take down the drywall, no, it is finished. There must be an easier way !

There is also the FSK flame resistant fiber batts I hear, but I wonder who carries them and how much they cost.
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yakimadn
17 years ago
You'd have to do some googling to get that info. I'm in Germany and don't know what your codes are. Here, it is common to insulate an older building or hose (block construction) by gluing styrofoam plates to the outside and stuccoing over it. I've got a real old place and use it quite a bit here and there.

Dave
pauster
Original Author
17 years ago
Dave,

I am German but have lived in the greater NYC area for the past 6 years. I recall when I was a kid we insulated the attic with styrofoam. But fire codes are much stricter here due to the very combustible building materials.

A house on my street, 100m from my house, burned down last week. Dryer vent caught fire. I am somewhat cautious now.
yakimadn
17 years ago
If you already have trusses, it shouldn't be a big deal to just roll out fiberglass or rockwool. 1st choice, cover the cieling with something tougher and lighter than drywall, 2nd choice, strips about 16 inches apart across them to support the insulation. Where in Germany are you from?
Dave
pauster
Original Author
17 years ago
Mainz ...

I do have to cover the fiberglass with an approved flame-resistant medium somehom. that's the whole question here ... what materials are approved.
yakimadn
17 years ago
Maybe ask your question on this forum. Most everyone has garage/shops that they maintain and should be familiar with codes (several NYers there also). I'm from Ohio but have been in the Schweinfurt/Wurzburg/Bamberg area for the last 19 years.

Dave

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