garage insulation

My 30x40 metal building got a couple walls wiped out by a tornado in 2011. You can see in the beginning of that linked thread there how the shop looked before and, at Post #209 a few pages later, how it was in 2012 after the repairs were all finished. You'll be especially interested in seeing the close-ups of my high-tech temperature gun aimed at the wall before and after the insulation was adhered with F26.

Straight up, now 2 1/2 years later, I still LOVE that 'double bubble' insulation no matter what time of the year it is! It's made an absolutely amazing difference both during hot and cold weather, keeping the energy costs beyond manageable.

During the reconstruction you might see that we cut a couple holes in the west wall for some a/c units that we had on hand. Since they were put up, they've been turned on a grand total of TWICE. Between the insulation and the south wall's new covered area (which blocks a great deal of the afternoon sun), it stays about 20 degrees cooler inside than it did before. Even with a 7-foot tall oven cranking out 400 or more degrees, I can work comfortably every day without the air conditioners.

It has an R-19 insulation value, was easy (but a bit time-consuming) to install with 2 people and a few tubes of F26 construction adhesive, and around here cost $160 for a 100'x6' roll. I bought three for the shop including the ceiling and its 2 roll-up 10'x8' doors, both garage doors in the house, and still have about half a roll left.

The special tape required between panels was about $25 a roll and will cut the hell out of you -- ask me how I know :-D -- but it sticks great and I've had no issues with anything ... except the shop kitties clawing on it by the window when they get trapped in there.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd buy the stuff in a heartbeat. It came recommended by a few contractors and online, and I can surely see why.

I hope this helps!