How Much Does It Cost to Insulate a Garage? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $1,900 - $7,700
The cost to insulate a garage is $4,700 on average, but ranges between $1,900 and $7,700, depending on the garage size and insulation type.
Insulating a garage costs around $4,700, with costs commonly ranging from $1,900 to $7,700 or more. Insulating your garage carries many benefits, including energy-loss reduction, adding usable space, and protecting your vehicles and stored items. However, adding insulation to your garage also provides some less-expected benefits. Increased home value, more comfort in the home's living space, and garage structure protection can also be part of the deal.
- Average
- $4,700
- Low end
- $600
- high end
- $13,000
Insulating a Garage Cost Breakdown
Understanding the project's scope is crucial when it comes to the cost of insulating a garage. While the steps for insulating a garage are straightforward, variations in size and the space's needs before, during, and after the project will all affect the total price.
Insulation for the space may add some comfort and protection for your possessions, though it may be a significant factor in the cost of a garage remodel. Below are the primary cost factors determining how much you'll spend on the project.
Preparation
While preparing to insulate a garage isn't a major cost factor, addressing it early in the project is essential, especially for older garages. The wall and ceiling structures must be in good shape before covering the surfaces in a garage with insulation and a vapor barrier. Water damage, including mold, requires removal and repair, and structural damage, such as broken studs, also needs attention before starting the project.
Mold remediation costs an average of $10 to $25 per square foot, while framing repair costs between $3 and $6 per linear foot. These costs will increase the total cost of the garage insulation project.
If your garage already has drywall on the walls, you may choose to leave it in place and use blown-in insulation or remove it and start from scratch. Expect to spend between $100 and $300 per wall for drywall removal and disposal.
Garage Size
The size of the garage will determine how much material you'll need to insulate the space and substantially affect the project's labor costs.
| Garage Size | Average Cost Range to Insulate |
|---|---|
| Single-car | $600–$4,000 |
| Two-car | $1,500–$6,700 |
| Three-car | $6,000–$13,000 |
Project Scope
Details involved with your garage insulation project can raise or lower the cost. Factors like whether or not the doors require weatherstripping or whether or not you'll insulate the garage door during the project all have associated price tags.
Insulating the garage door, if necessary, can add between $300 and $1,500 to the project cost, while adding weatherstripping to the garage door and service entrances averages between $200 and $600 for everything necessary.
Creating a complete envelope by insulating the garage ceiling or isolating the attic space costs an average of $530 for the materials. Depending on what type of insulation you choose, adding a vapor barrier costs between $0.50 and $0.70 per square foot. While spray foam and other types of insulation provide their own vapor barrier qualities, batt and blown-in insulation types need a separate barrier material.
| Project | Average Cost (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Weatherstripping | $6–$30 |
| Ceiling insulation | $1.11–$3.20 |
| Vapor barrier installation | $0.50–$0.70 |
Insulation Materials
Several types of insulation are available and appropriate for use in the garage. The type you choose will determine the R-value or heat transfer efficiency rate and the project's cost.
| Type of Insulation | R-Value (Per Inch of Thickness) | Average Material Price (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|---|
| Fiberglass batt | 3.1–4.3 | $0.30–$1.50 |
| Mineral wool batt | 3.1–3.4 | $1.40–$4 |
| Blown-in fiberglass or wool | 2.2–4.3 | $1.50–$2.20 |
| Blown-in cellulose | 3.2–3.9 | $0.60–$2.30 |
| Rigid foam board | 3.8–7.9 | $2–$4 |
| Open-cell spray foam | 3.5–3.7 | $1.60–$5.50 |
| Closed-cell spray foam | 6.0–6.5 | $2.60–$8.00 |
| Reflective or radiant barrier | 3.5–5.5 | $0.60–$2.50 |
Finishing
Whether you finish your garage insulation project by installing drywall or leaving the insulation exposed will depend on how you use the space. The cost of installing garage drywall will significantly impact the cost of the project. However, doing so will improve the appearance and functionality of the space. If you leave existing drywall and add insulation behind it, the wall will require hole repair at the project's completion.
| Finishing Details | Average Cost (Per Square Foot) |
|---|---|
| Drywall installation | $1.50–$3.50 |
| Drywall repair | $50–$75 |
| Paint | $2–$6 |
Labor
Installation labor makes up a significant portion of the cost of insulating a garage. Local insulation installers often charge by the hour at a rate of between $40 and $80. Larger garages and more complex installations will cost more than small, simple jobs due to the increased hours necessary to complete the work.
If you hire a drywall installer near you, require drywall repair, or use a nearby painting company to finish the space, expect additional cost for the work. Drywall installation costs $1.50 to $3 per square foot, while painters cost $20 to $50 per hour.
Permits
Insulation projects require obtaining a building permit in most municipalities. The permit cost varies widely by state and community, ranging from $75 to $700.
Location
Your home’s location can affect the total cost of insulating your garage. While climate conditions don't significantly impact insulating prices, garages in colder regions can benefit from additional attic or ceiling insulation, which can increase the material cost somewhat.
More significant price variables based on location are whether or not you live in a metro or rural area. Prices for labor are often higher in cities and suburbs than in rural areas.
Insulating a Garage Individual Cost Factor Details
Many factors influence the cost of insulating a garage. However, the factors that impact pricing the most are also the ones with the largest price variables.
Prep Work
Newer or well-maintained garages may require no prep work at all before beginning an insulating project. However, damaged or neglected garages can cost over $1,000 to repair or remediate mold in preparation for the insulating job.
Finish
How you finish your insulation project can cost very little or a great deal. Many homeowners opt to leave their new insulation exposed to keep costs to a minimum. However, many more choose to finish the garage space with drywall and paint, costing up to $3,000 or more.
Insulation Type
The cost of insulating a garage varies widely by the cost of the type of insulation and the quantity. Garages requiring more material to cover the space or to gain a particularly high R-value will cost more than garages with less costly insulation types or less material thickness.
Types of Insulation
The type, quantity, and location of various types of insulation will all factor into the job's total cost. Below are the best uses for various insulation types.
Batt
With R-values of between 3.1 and 4.3 per inch of thickness, batt insulation of fiberglass or mineral wool is excellent for use in garage walls and ceilings. Thicker batts are common for use in garages with insulated attic floors. It's the least expensive yet effective insulation type, starting at just $0.30 per square foot.
Fiberglass and wool
Fiberglass and wool insulation types are available in batts, loose, or as blown-in insulation. These compositions are material types rather than insulation types. Insulation containing these materials can have R-values ranging from 2.2 per inch of thickness to 4.3.
Spray Foam
Spray foam insulation is available in closed or open-cell forms, with open-cell foam being less expensive but also having significantly lower R-values. Spray foam insulation is common for walls and ceilings and doesn't require the addition of a separate vapor barrier.
Rigid Foam
Rigid foam insulation comes in a wide variety of types and thicknesses. R-values range from 3.8 to 7.9, depending on material and construction. For use in garages, rigid foam can provide excellent insulation for the garage door, service doors, walls, and ceilings. However, its higher cost over batt insulation limits its use to smaller areas.
Blown-In
With R-values from 2.2 to 4.3, depending on material type, blown-in insulation is excellent for insulating behind existing drywall on walls and insulating garage attic spaces. Because the material is loose, blown-in insulation can create a virtually custom R-value in a garage attic.
Radiant Barrier
Radiant barrier or reflective insulation types have R-values ranging from 3.5 to 5.5 per inch of thickness. However, these materials are thin, making them excellent for generating a high relative R-value without much thickness on surfaces such as doors in a garage.
Why Should You Insulate a Garage?
While insulating a garage is a great investment in your home, there are several other reasons to do it. Here's a list of the best and most common benefits.
Reduce heating and cooling losses: Your garage may still have unconditioned air after you insulate it. However, adding more insulation to an attached garage can reduce the home's energy losses.
Add soundproofing: Adding insulation to your garage will reduce sound transfer between it and the home's living space or the outdoors.
Increase home value and appeal: Adding garage insulation can increase your home's value and curb appeal.
Minimize moisture damage: Proper insulation can reduce the amount of water vapor infiltration to the walls and ceiling, potentially reducing water's harmful effects on building materials over time.
Create additional storage space: Adding garage insulation can help protect items you store in your garage from rapid temperature changes.
Add usable space: Insulation can make your garage more comfortable for things like setting up and working at a workbench, completing projects, or using the garage as a workout space.
Protect your home's utility equipment: Insulation in a garage on an interior wall can help protect pipes and other utility components from freezing or reacting to rapid temperature swings.
Protect vehicles: An insulated garage can help protect your car and its electrical components from extreme temperatures. It can also make getting into and out of your care more pleasant.
DIY Garage Insulating vs. Hiring a Pro
Insulating a garage can be a good DIY project for an avid DIYer with some experience with installing insulation. However, while the job can appear simple at first glance, many details require addressing when doing the project.
The details are where hiring the expertise of a professional installer will ensure correct and effective installation, avoid permit inspection issues, and leave you with a free weekend or several to do more fun things.
Cost of Common Garage Insulating Add-Ons
As long as everything is out of the garage during your insulation project, here are several commonly paired tasks and their costs:
Install new windows cost: $180–$410 per window
Repair the garage floor cost: $100–$500
Paint garage walls cost: $2–$6 per square foot
Install a new garage door costs: $750–$1,670
Upgrade to an insulated garage door cost: $700–$2,300
Upgrade garage entry door cost: $375–$2,000
Install a garage heater cost: $1,500–$4,000
Install a garage workbench or storage cost: $500–$5,000
Ways You Can Save Money On Garage Insulating
Insulating your garage can be an excellent investment in your home and how you use it. There are a few ways to reduce the total project cost.
DIY some of the work: Insulating tasks are often best left to professionals. However, if there's demo work to do or you don't mind doing some parts of the job, your contractor can likely work with you to save some cash.
Keep doors and windows closed: After spending money to insulate your garage, getting the most out of your investment means using the doors and windows responsibly by keeping them closed when necessary.
Get three price quotes: While getting multiple quotes for your project won't reduce the cost in and of itself, doing so can allow you to see more than one solution for the task and may expose more cost-effective ways of handling it. Also, you can choose a contractor based on price and value instead of relying on one price listing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Insulating a detached garage won't reduce your home's heating or cooling bills—and insulating an attached garage will only have a small effect on your home's energy efficiency. However, insulating an attached garage can reduce the transfer of heating and cooling to and from the outdoors, which can reduce the amount of energy your home needs to stay comfortable. Also, having an insulated garage is just more pleasant. Balance the cost of insulating your garage with how you'll use the space to determine if the project is worth it.
It may seem that doing an insulating project completely as a DIY task would be the most cost-effective way to accomplish it. However, professionally trained installers are experts at determining precisely what each garage needs in terms of effective insulation. Hiring an insulation pro and using batt insulation for the bulk of the materials will provide the best results for the least amount of money.