Finishing garage interior
 

Hi all, I've got a 30x40 shop that I'm going to insulate and finish so I can work out there comfortably during the winter. I've got an air tight wood stove to heat the place.

Couple of questions:

Is it worth going with 2x6 framing and thicker R20(?) insulation or would 2x4 and the thinner R12(?) insulation be good enough? The price difference in insulation is basically double.

Also what would be a good interior sheeting to use, seems to me that drywall is going to be more fire proof from things like welding sparks and grinding, but plywood would be alot more durable.

If it matters it's an old post and beam machine shed so there's alot of exposed dry wood beams, any fire prevention advice would be appreciated.

Ron

Re: Finishing garage interior
 

a friend of mine has a shop where he works on farm equipment, he covered the walls from the floor up 8' with white painted r-panel(the same metal as on the outside of his shop).if he sprays hydraulic oil/motor oil on the walls he just power washes it off.it would be kind of pricey,but very flame retardant and it looks good.just my 2cents.....

Re: Finishing garage interior
 

Sounds like a cool setup. My advice, giving your location is to use as much insulation as you can afford. As far as the interior finish goes, if you are concerned about grinding and welding sparks setup an area in the shop just for that. I know that can be difficult if you are working on a frame, just be careful while welding and you will be fine. Good luck with the new shop

Re: Finishing garage interior
 

I'd put up sheetrock. 5/8" is fire code, but I'd use 1/2". I think 2x4 with a R-11 would be fine, unless you plan on heating it 24-7.

Re: Finishing garage interior
 

We've got R12 in our shop, and you can get it nice and toasty in the shop in a very short time with the wood burning boiler we have in there. Biggest thing is to set up a few fans inside to both direct the warm air at the top down to the floor, and to circulate the air around the room.

It does loose all it's heat overnight, but thats not too big of a deal, only takes 20 minutes to heat it back up.

Re: Finishing garage interior
 

Go with 2x6 if you dont you will regret it later, the more insulation the better, I have a 30 x 32 garage with a full upstairs, I built using 2x6 and used 8" insualtion and for the past 15 years I just used a heavy plastic on the inside of the garage to help keep heat in there. The outside had the insulated siding to match the house. Just this past fall I sheet rocked the upstairs which has helped even more to keep the heat in. I use Propane to heat my garage (80,000 BTU Heater) and if I leave the heat on 7x24 which I have done this winter because I am out there daily trying to get the 67 back on the road I go through 100gallon tank in about 6-7 weeks, of course this winter has been somewhat mild . I can make a tank last all winter if all I do is work in the garage on the weekends.

Re: Finishing garage interior
 

i dunno how serious your code enforcement is in your town, but your gonna need to use fireproof drywall in a garage which is 5/8. and the r-12 will be fine to use with 2x4 studs. if you use something else besides drywall then i'd check with code first......it sucks to spend money on something and then have to take it all down and buy something else....i am speaking from experience because i work for a contractor's service....

Re: Finishing garage interior
 

Living in Canada like you are, I would definately recommend 2x6 exterior walls, and being a garage use 5/8 sheetrock. A bit more pricey, but well worth it.

Re: Finishing garage interior
 

just a tip if you go drywall........make sure it is at least 3/8 of an inch off the floor when you hang it. otherwise water can soak into it. dont ask me how i know. lol

Re: Finishing garage interior
 

Thanks, guys. 2x6 sounds like the way to go. I figured out over the course of the last few days that things are pretty comfortable if the temp in there is above 10C or 50F. No point in scimping on insulation.

Another question, the two main doors are sliding doors hanging on tracks, not very easy to insulate. One is 15' wide by 10' high and the other 13' wide and 11' high. The 15'x10' one can probably just be replaced with a standard sectional door but for the 13'x11' I want to keep the area over it clear so eventually I can put a hoist in the garage near there, how expensive are roll up doors?

Ron