How to insulate a metal garage - step-by-step technology

A metal garage is a strong, reliable structure with a high degree of burglary resistance. But it has one serious drawback - the high thermal conductivity of the steel sheets from which the structure is assembled. That is, the street temperature calmly migrates inside the garage through the fencing structures. It is cold in winter and hot in summer. Therefore, the owner of the building faces an important question: how to insulate a metal garage, from which a number of other questions arise:

what thermal insulation material is best to use for this;
What is the best way to insulate – from the outside or from the inside?

Garage insulated with foam plastic

Why insulate walls

The enclosing structures of buildings for cars are made of large-block materials, for example, cinder block or gas block, less often of brick.
Depending on the method of laying the products, the thickness of such walls will range from 12 to 30 centimeters. This width is not enough to protect the room from the penetration of cold air. Even when installing a heating system, the difference between the air temperature outside and inside the building will lead to condensation. There is no need to artificially increase the temperature in the garage to high levels. After a car enters a warm room from a cold street, condensation will certainly appear on its surface, which will lead to corrosion of the metal. Thermal insulation of the garage should be selected and installed in such a way that the difference in temperature in the room and outside the window is minimal. The optimal performance for a car is considered to be +5 degrees.

Note! When insulating building envelopes, motorists seal all cracks, including ventilation holes. It is prohibited to clog exhaust pipes; they are used to remove accumulated moisture and help remove carbon monoxide from the room.

Floor and ceiling finishing

The roof for garages is usually made flat. This saves money and effort, but at the same time increases the likelihood of leakage when water after rain lingers on a horizontal surface. Therefore, the decorative covering of the ceiling in the garage begins after waterproofing it. One of the most common methods is plastering the ceiling and then painting it. Since the ceiling is not damaged, the choice is often made in favor of MDF or PVC panels. This is a popular and practical option that allows (when using a frame) insulation and hiding communication systems.

The flooring in the garage has special requirements; it must withstand significant and regular weight loads from the car. The preferred flooring options are:

Painted concrete floor

. A popular option that can easily withstand the weight of a car. A concrete floor coated with a primer weakly absorbs spilled auto chemicals, does not collect dust and is resistant to abrasion. Although the process of installing a concrete floor cannot be called quick, many car enthusiasts opt for it due to the low costs and simplicity of the technology.

Tile

. A garage floor made of ceramic tiles (or ceramic tiles) looks neat and often original. The coating is advantageous due to its durability, easy maintenance and resistance to fuels and lubricants. The limiter to the use of tiles is their high cost and the rather labor-intensive process of creating a tile covering (including mandatory waterproofing).

Ceramic tile flooring

Self-leveling concrete

. Impact-resistant coating with a perfectly flat surface, not inferior in strength to a classic concrete floor. One of the most successful coatings for a garage, as it is frost-resistant and has increased resistance to chemical environments. The disadvantage of this method is the high price of the composition, which is why self-leveling flooring cannot be called an economical option. Another subtlety is that the base for pouring must be perfectly flat, which is not always achievable.

Wooden floor

. The choice in favor of a wooden floor covering (from floorboards) is not often made, although the base for such a floor does not need to be leveled. Many believe that this type of floor has more disadvantages than advantages - flammability, high degree of absorption and low strength. Proponents claim that wood flooring is much more pleasant and healthier to work on; In addition, wood (unlike concrete) does not generate dust.

Self-leveling polymer floor This might be interesting!

In the article at the following link, read about projects of houses with a garage.

What material to use for this?

In fact, the question here will be solely in the budget allocated for the event. If savings are needed, then there is only one option - polystyrene foam. If you have a little more money, then mineral wool is the optimal solution. Exotic sprayed polyurethane foam will surpass the main types of thermal insulators in properties and efficiency, but it will be the most expensive option and, besides, you won’t be able to create such thermal protection with your own hands; you need to have certain knowledge of the technology, as well as special equipment. Therefore, there are few options:

The last option, as already mentioned, is too expensive and it is not easy to implement such insulation, even with the necessary knowledge and tools. Therefore, we will consider the most affordable and simple types of thermal insulation.

Advice from professionals

You can reduce the thickness of polystyrene foam when insulating a garage internally using isolon. Polyethylene foam with foil coating is glued on top of thin sheet foam indoors. The disadvantage of such insulation is its relatively soft design. It is impossible to attach heavy shelves with objects to metal walls and ceilings. Therefore, this approach is relevant for a horizontal base.

The effectiveness of foam board insulation can be increased in two ways. Arrange thin sheets in a checkerboard pattern, foaming the joints. The second option is not limited to isolon. You can also carry out a combination with mineral wool. In this case, polystyrene foam acts as a water barrier.

If the building is autonomous, then it is better to insulate the facade. This way less condensation forms. In addition, the design of the ventilation gap promotes natural weathering of moisture. Inside a metal garage, forced ventilation will be required and the working area will be reduced; outside everything happens naturally.

What materials are suitable for insulating a garage?

Mineral wool

An important advantage of using mineral wool to insulate a garage with your own hands is the ability to create a “breathable” insulation layer. The fibrous structure of the cotton wool does not interfere with the natural circulation of air inside the garage; exhaust gases, evaporation of fuel and other technical liquids, which are always stored in abundance on the shelves, will quickly erode outside without stagnating or poisoning the air. An additional argument in favor of cotton wool can be its non-flammability. In a garage where there is a lot of flammable stuff, this can be a deciding factor.

Among all the variety, it is recommended to choose basalt or stone wool. It has the best thermal conductivity of 0.03-0.1 W/m °C and at the same time serves as excellent sound insulation.

The easiest way to lay mineral wool is in the form of semi-rigid mats. The mats fit tightly into the spacer of the frame mounted from timber or galvanized profile on the internal surfaces of the garage: walls, ceiling, gates

And don’t forget that in order for mineral wool to preserve its thermal insulation properties, it is important to use a vapor barrier membrane that will remove excess condensation and prevent moisture from accumulating inside the insulation

Styrofoam

Polystyrene foam is perhaps the most popular material for do-it-yourself garage insulation. It can be cut and processed without problems using simple tools, such as a knife. It has extremely low thermal conductivity - only 0.03-0.04 W/m °C. And it's cheap.

Although there were some downsides. Polystyrene foam noticeably “eats” the internal space and is also flammable; it is better to keep a fire extinguisher in a visible place.

You can mount foam sheets on internal surfaces using polystyrene glue, polyurethane foam or plastic dowels (they will require sheathing). The optimal thickness of the insulating layer is 50-100 mm. The joints must be sealed with polyurethane foam.

Thermal insulation plaster

In addition to the binder element, gypsum or cement, such plaster contains porous materials - quartz sand, vermiculite or expanded polystyrene, which provide heat-insulating properties. Thermal conductivity coefficient of “warm” plaster: 0.065 to 0.13 W/m °C.

Heat-insulating plaster is applied to the walls and ceiling using standard technology: installing beacons, preparing the mixture, applying the mixture to the surface, leveling. It is recommended to apply one or two layers up to 50 mm thick on the walls, and one layer of 5-30 mm on the ceiling.

It is best to use insulating plaster for garages made of brick or cinder blocks. It will insulate the room and allow you to level the walls and ceiling.

Thermal insulation paint

Thermal insulation paint is a new word in room insulation. It is a polymer composite filled with hollow ceramic microspheres.

Read more about the structure and features of thermal insulation paint in the article All about ultra-thin ceramic thermal insulation

The thermal conductivity of the paint is about 0.065 W/m °C, which is approximately comparable to “warm” plaster. Only the insulation layer will be only 2-4 mm. What a saving of internal space.

In its finished form, the insulation is a liquid consistency, which is applied like regular paint, using a brush, roller or spray gun. This method of application will be especially appreciated by owners of metal garages. After all, the internal surfaces of such garages have a complex profile due to various corners, beams and protruding fasteners, and it is quite difficult to attach a tight-fitting layer of insulation to them. But painting the surface of any profile, no matter how complex, is not difficult.

However, it would be a mistake to assume that a thin layer of heat-insulating paint will create the desired microclimate in the garage. Yes, it can replace a fairly thick layer of traditional insulation. But for the desired result - +5°C inside the garage - you will still need to supplement it with a layer of another insulation, mineral wool or polystyrene foam.

Garage interior decoration

The difficulty of finishing the interior of a metal garage after thermal insulation work is that there is nothing to attach the finishing material to. If a frame method of insulation were used, that is, with the installation of a frame made of wooden slats, then the finishing would be attached to it. But since the simplest option was considered - frameless, it is necessary to tell how you can attach, for example, a plywood sheet to the garage wall.

To do this, you will have to carry out additional preparation, which consists of welding a certain number of M6 or M8 bolts from the inside to the steel sheets that form the surfaces of the garage structure. The caps must be welded to sheets of iron.

The length of the fastener is selected based on the thickness of the insulation and the thickness of the finish. For example, the thickness of the foam is 50 mm, the thickness of the plywood is 8 mm, which means that you will need bolts 70 mm long, where 12 mm will be spent on fastening with a nut and washer. The number of fasteners is determined by the distance between them. There is no exact data here, so approximately 40-50 cm.

The process of insulation on fasteners is carried out in the following sequence:

An adhesive composition is applied to the foam sheet;
it is placed in the required place and pressed tightly with your hands;
insulation – the material is loose, so the bolts will pass through it easily;
The finishing material is cut to the required size;
the ends of the bolts are treated with chalk or paint;
apply the finishing panel to the required place; traces of chalk or paint will remain on its surface;
holes are made according to the marks using a drill and a drill bit, the diameter of which should be slightly larger than the diameter of the bolts;
the finishing panel is put on fasteners and clamped with nuts, under which wide washers must be placed.

Attaching foam and fiberboard sheets to garage doors

Insulating a garage from the inside with bricks

There are no contraindications to using brick to insulate a garage from the inside. Just brick cladding will reduce the volume of the building. This is a more complex process in terms of work, and it is more expensive than using foam plastic. In addition, in terms of thermal conductivity, brick is much inferior to polystyrene foam boards:

0.81 W/m K – thermal conductivity of solid brick;
0.032 – 0.044 W/m K – range of thermal conductivity of foam depending on its density.

It turns out that polystyrene foam laid 30 mm thick replaces a masonry of three bricks laid lengthwise.

Why do you need to insulate your garage?

The temperature regime that has a positive effect on the condition of the car differs significantly from the one in which a person is comfortable. If in residential premises the standard is to maintain the air temperature at +20-22 degrees Celsius, then for storing a car +5 degrees is considered the most optimal. At this temperature, almost no condensation forms on metal parts, causing destructive corrosion.

Therefore, to create a microclimate suitable for technology in the garage, other approaches to insulation are used. After all, the desire to recreate room conditions in the garage using insulation and heating devices will harm the vehicle. For example, in winter, when entering a heated room from the cold, the car will instantly fog up, the air humidity will increase, and the car will sit in such a warm-humid fog all night.

How to properly insulate a garage? Let's figure it out.

Finishing garage walls with stone

The most durable, durable and high-quality finishing material is stone. If you have unlimited financial possibilities, you can clad the garage façade with natural stone, which allows you to create a rich and unique appearance, as well as ensure the durability of such a coating.

In order to save money, you can select a certain artificial material that has an acceptable cost and an average level of quality. However, a wall lined with such stone also looks interesting and allows you to choose the material among a wide variety of its types.

Installation of natural and artificial stone requires a professional and responsible approach, which involves a sufficiently large amount of adhesive solution to properly glue the stone to the surface of the walls.

It must be remembered that the weight of natural stone significantly exceeds the weight of artificial material.

Types of thermal insulation materials for garage walls

In the modern construction market there is a huge selection of insulation materials. Let's consider the characteristics of the most popular thermal insulation materials:

Mineral wool is supplied to stores in the form of rigid mats with a density of up to 240 kg/m3. Such products are characterized by high resistance to fire and allow water vapor to pass through their structure (breathe). The only disadvantage of using basalt wool is the need to install a vapor barrier film, which will protect the product from getting wet. When exposed to moisture, the insulation loses its properties.
Glass wool is considered a cheaper analogue of mineral wool. Such products consist of hard and prickly fibers, so you need to wear glasses and gloves when working with insulation. After getting wet, the mats clump and become heavy, so glass wool needs to be protected from moisture penetration by laying special films or foil.
Polystyrene foam is considered the most convenient thermal insulation material to use. The products are not afraid of dampness, can be easily cut into pieces with a regular hacksaw, and are affordable. Insulation of a garage can be done using an analogue of polystyrene foam, polystyrene foam, which will last up to 40 years. The main disadvantages of the products in question are considered to be flammability and low resistance to sunlight. Foam plastic unprotected by plaster turns yellow and crumbles.
Another insulation for the garage, warm plaster consists of vermiculite or foam balls. Such materials have good heat-insulating qualities, but to obtain maximum effect, a thick layer of mortar must be applied to the walls.

How to line a garage from the inside inexpensively: special requirements

In addition to the main purpose of construction - comfortable and safe storage of the car - the garage also performs other functions.

When troubleshooting machine malfunctions and breakdowns, the room turns into a workshop with all its attributes: heavy tools, bulky mechanisms, dismantled and spare units, stained with engine oil.

The constant presence of flammable fuel in the car tank and in spare cans places increased fire safety requirements on interior wall finishing and their resistance to toxic chemicals.

How to decorate the walls in the garage inexpensively? Nowadays, the choice of finishing materials is so great that we will focus only on some of the most budget-friendly materials for covering interior walls.

At the same time, we remember the key requirements for garage finishing: durable , inexpensive , beautiful .

Wooden lining

Wooden lining , the ultimate dream of a garage owner just 15-20 years ago, has long been lost among modern plastic descendants.

How to decorate garage walls cheaply? Maybe a tree . After all, this material is high-quality, durable and aesthetic. Polished panels made of precious wood decorate the interiors of palaces and the interiors of expensive limousines. Traditionally, saunas and bathhouses are lined with wood with low thermal conductivity to avoid getting burned on the walls.

But in a garage, where there is already an abundance of flammable substances, it is extremely unwise . In such a room it will be dangerous not only to carry out any welding work if necessary, to install a heating stove, but even to simply smoke.

Timeless technology

However, modern types of lining made of plastic , composite polymers and metal traditionally continue to copy wooden boards and panels, although the design imitates both brick and stone.

After all, such a universal, time-tested form allows you to use the best quality inherent in the lining - it can be easily mounted on a lathing made of wooden beams.

Another advantage of timeless technology is that the lathing allows you conveniently install any insulation under the lining, hide cables, utility pipes, and ventilation ducts.

All types of lining, despite the differences in materials and profiles, are similar in the installation principle: ridges and grooves at the ends of the panels allow them to cover walls without gaps . Each subsequent panel also hides the fastening elements of the previous one.

Metal lining

This siding has all the advantages of metal products - increased strength, durability, resistance to aggressive environments and temperature influences, and non-flammability.

The disadvantages of metal are also presented here, the main one being susceptibility to corrosion . Metal lining is made of aluminum and steel.

Corrugated sheet

How to line the inside of a garage cheaply? One option is durable corrugated sheeting . These are profiled steel sheets with a protective polymer coating. Like lining, corrugated sheeting can be fixed to a wooden sheathing. And the speed of installation will be ensured by large sheet sizes.

Vinyl siding

The composition of the filling of PVC panels (short for the term PolyVinyl Chloride) is non-flammable materials. The panel melts, but only smokes without forming an open flame. In the event of a fire, such smoke can extinguish the fire that caused it, displacing oxygen from the air in the room. But this toxic smoke is also dangerous .

However, garage owners willingly buy PVC panels for finishing walls, both internal and external, not for experiments with fire.

Wonderful vinyl siding meets our requirements. Durable, inexpensive, beautiful.

Moreover, it is waterproof, does not rot, does not warp due to temperature changes, is resistant to contact with garage chemicals, does not require painting or maintenance, and can be washed from almost any contaminant.

This siding will last for decades.

PVC panels also eliminate nostalgia for the good old lining. The volumetric imitation of the texture and shades of wood on the surface of the panels is indistinguishably realistic. Except they don’t smell like pine...

Polyurethane foam for garage insulation

And a few words about polyurethane foam, the thermal conductivity of which is 0.019 W/m K. That is, it is better than polystyrene foam. But it is more expensive and requires special equipment to apply it. Until recently, such equipment consisted of huge containers and a compressor. Today, manufacturers offer compact devices whose weight does not exceed 30 kg.

These are two cylinders and a mini-compressor with hoses and nozzles. The cylinders contain two components that are connected and supplied through hoses under pressure

The applied layer is thin (15-20 mm), please note - it is continuous, without seams or joints, and is more effective than many modern thermal insulation materials used for insulating garages. But if we compare the cost, then it is inferior to the same polystyrene foam

Although good insulation cannot be cheap.

Insulation of a metal garage with polyurethane foam

There are several effective and inexpensive technologies for insulating iron garages. But, as practice shows, polystyrene foam is most often used if the conversation turns to DIY processes. There are no restrictions or contraindications in the use of this material. At the same time, the insulation has a number of good technical characteristics, plus the low price of the product itself.

External or internal insulation

The best option is external insulation. In this way, a shift in the dew point (formation of condensation at the border of contact between cold and warm air) is achieved closer to the outer surfaces of the insulating layer. And if you choose the right thermal insulation material with the lowest possible thermal conductivity, you can achieve a shift in the dew point to the finishing surface. The second positive factor is the low internal volume of the garage space in terms of overall dimensions.

As practice shows, this method is applicable if the garage is a separate building. If the task is to insulate a structure located in a row of several garages, then thermal insulation processes will have to be carried out from inside the building.

External insulation with polyurethane foam

How to insulate garage doors

Not everyone knows how to properly insulate a garage from the inside. Effective and reliable thermal insulation of walls will not be enough, because a significant amount of heat escapes through the gate. The lack of insulation in this design will not allow the garage to warm up to the required temperature levels. At the initial stage of work, a hole is made in one of the doors and the doors are inserted. To reduce heat loss, a curtain made of thick fabric is fixed in this place.

A transparent polyethylene film with a minimum thickness of 0.8 millimeters will help to insulate the entire plane of the gate. This material is cut into strips 20-30 centimeters wide and fixed above the opening, so that the lower edge does not reach the floor surface by 1-2 centimeters. The strips are secured to a wooden beam using staplers. This insulation is very effective - when entering the garage, the driver will see the surrounding space. In addition, narrow strips of polyethylene will smoothly flow around the car and return to their original position.

Some car enthusiasts insulate the inside of their garage doors with polystyrene foam. To do this, a sheathing of wooden blocks is installed on the inside of the structure and the voids are filled with polystyrene foam slabs. To prevent cold air from penetrating through the gaps, the joints of the thermal insulation are taped with tape.

To eliminate drafts entering through the gates, it is necessary to replace the rubber seals. Condensation forms where the thermal insulation comes into contact with the metal surface. To prevent destruction, the steel is treated with paint or other anti-corrosion compound. Waterproofing substances are also applied to other surfaces.

The wooden guide elements of the frame are coated with a primer or heated drying oil, which will protect the material from rotting and exposure to fungus. After laying the foam, the surface is cleaned. Garage doors are finished with OSB boards or thin boards. It is not advisable to use moisture-resistant products for this, for example, gypsum board.

Required Tools

It is advisable to insulate the garage in the warm season, but sometimes the situation forces you to carry out work at sub-zero temperatures. Here there is a need to insulate the box quickly and reliably. To use time efficiently, the following equipment is prepared in advance:

electric drill;
mask and gloves (protective);
welding machine;
building level;
screwdriver;
self-tapping screws;
metal scissors;
tape measure from 5 m;
staples and furniture stapler;
wooden blocks for the horizontal crossbars of the sheathing;
steel profile.

If all of the above is present, it’s time to start insulating the garage from the inside.

Insulation of walls from the inside

The choice of insulation, as well as the technology for insulating enclosing structures, will depend on the material from which the enclosing structures are made. Many car enthusiasts are interested in the question of how to insulate a brick garage. First you need to clean the surface from dust and dirt, mount a frame into which the thermal insulation will be installed.

The sheathing is made from a plasterboard profile. The guides are fixed to the wall with dowels, which are driven in every 30 centimeters. The distance between the guides must correspond to the width of the insulation boards. To finish the walls, you can use sheets of plasterboard or asbestos fiber. It is better to use the latest products, because they have a high degree of fire resistance compared to similar materials.

Advice! Asbestos fiber is quite fragile; to prevent its destruction as a result of various mechanical influences, reduce the pitch between the frame guides.

Insulation of garage walls from the inside is carried out using mineral wool or other products made in the form of slabs. In this case, the mats are inserted between the guides, their position is fixed using special hooks. After this, they begin to install the vapor barrier membrane, which should be connected to the cotton wool insulation.

We also insulate the garage from the outside, using warm plaster or special paint. Carrying out such work shifts the dew point, which will protect the walls from moisture penetration and further freezing. The owner of the building must install forced ventilation. This system is designed for intensive air exchange.

Insulating a garage with foam plastic is suitable for insulating metal walls. Expanded polystyrene boards are fixed to the base surface using an adhesive mixture. To securely fix the thermal insulation, it is necessary to first clean and degrease the metal. The sheets are fixed to the walls with the seams aligned, and polyurethane foam is poured into the gaps. Polystyrene foam is subject to combustion, so a thin layer of plaster must be applied to its surface.

Metal garage walls are often insulated with polyurethane foam or special paint. If there are voids between the frame, insulation is carried out using penoizol. The liquid mass penetrates into the wall through special holes. The foam clings well to surrounding surfaces, hardens, turning into high-quality and reliable thermal insulation.

How to insulate with foam plastic

The process of insulating a metal garage with polystyrene foam consists of two stages: preparation and installation of the insulation. The preparatory process includes cleaning the surfaces of the metal sheets that form the roof and walls from dirt, rust and peeling paint. Any method that guarantees the quality of the final result will do. Most often, ordinary sandpaper is used for this. To increase the speed of the procedure, use a grinder with an attachment in the form of a metal brush.

Now about the adhesive composition. Since a metal structure is subject to insulation, it is better to use special glue in a can for polystyrene foam boards. This is a universal adhesive material in the form of foam, which guarantees the strength of the insulation to the metal. It is resistant to moisture and temperature changes. One can is enough to fasten 10 m² of slabs; it takes 30 minutes to harden.

Attention! Polystyrene foam does not expand in volume after its application, like mounting foam.

Foam for expanded polystyrene
Please note that the walls and roof of the garage are steel sheets welded to the frame of the building. The latter is made from a metal profile, usually from a 50x50 mm corner. The frame is covered with sheets of iron from the outside, that is, it remains inside. Therefore, it is important to precisely cut the sheets of polystyrene foam to the dimensions of the frame structure so that the insulation lies between the frame elements, pressing tightly against them. Trimming is done with a sharp knife.

Now you need to apply glue to the slabs: along the perimeter and diagonally. Expanded polystyrene sheets are placed at the installation site and pressed with your hands, but not too much. Installation is best done from bottom to top. There are several points to pay attention to:

Insulation boards have a low specific gravity, which makes it possible not to install supporting elements on the vertical planes of the walls. The foam itself is enough. But you will have to think about supports on the roof slopes. One option is regular tape, one end of which is glued to the insulation, the other to the steel frame element.
If there is a small gap between the slabs of heat-insulating material and the garage frame, you just need to foam it with glue.

Gates and doors are insulated in the same way as garage walls.

Installing polystyrene foam boards with glue

Design features of the garage that affect the insulation process

The main feature of the garage, which directly affects the insulation technology, is the thin walls and roof. Even garages built from brick or cinder blocks rarely have a wall thickness of more than 25 cm. And the thickness of metal garages is measured in millimeters. Such walls are not able to provide the necessary thermal insulation and require proper insulation.

For comparison, in residential premises the thickness of external brick walls ranges from 51 cm (two-brick masonry) to 64 cm (two-and-a-half brick masonry).

When choosing future insulation and calculating the thickness of its layer, you need to strive to ensure that the temperature inside the garage is maintained just above zero.

Moreover, if installed correctly, the insulating layer will work for the desired result at any time of the year: in winter it will retain heat inside the garage, and in summer it will prevent heating outside. This is achieved due to the so-called thermal inertia, which occurs due to a decrease in the thermal conductivity of surfaces in the direction from outside to inside.

You can create the desired direction of thermal inertia by insulating the garage from the inside. Then, outside in relation to the external atmosphere, there will be a material with higher thermal conductivity - cinder blocks, brickwork or metal, and inside - thermal insulation with low thermal conductivity.

How and with what to cover the inside of a garage inexpensively? Selection of materials

Even at the project stage, the owners think through the aesthetic and functional decoration of the garage walls.

There are construction options in which interior decoration is not required at all (for example, neat brickwork of walls).

But such common wall materials as cinder blocks, foam blocks, sawn limestone or shell rock are initially intended for subsequent finishing .

Built into a basement made of large foundation blocks, the garage resembles a concrete cave; you just want to hide the walls behind the cladding .

The problem of finishing interior walls also arises when purchasing an old garage on the secondary real estate market. Therefore, the question arises : How to decorate the inside of a garage cheaply?

How to insulate a cellar in a garage

Insulating a cellar in a garage is technologically not much different from insulating premises for other purposes, but has several important nuances. The main one is increased humidity due to direct contact of the walls and floor of the cellar with the soil. Therefore, waterproofing becomes a key step.

Ideally, it is better to apply a layer of waterproofing to the outer surfaces of the walls, creating an airtight capsule around the cellar. However, in an already built garage or a garage located in a cooperative, it is sometimes impossible to reach the outer surface. In this case, waterproofing is done from the inside.

Polymer films, roll insulation or bitumen mastics can be used as a waterproofing material. The result should be a complete layer of waterproofing. A special vapor-waterproofing membrane is suitable for insulating the ceiling.

Then, insulation is laid on the walls, floor and ceiling: mineral wool, polystyrene foam or extruded polystyrene foam. For mineral wool, you will need to build a frame, and sheets of polystyrene foam are glued to surfaces or secured with plastic dowels with a mushroom cap.

A wooden frame for installing mineral wool must be treated with protective compounds.

The top layer of insulation is covered with a vapor barrier. After which you can begin covering it with decorative materials, for example, plastic panels.

Paneling

A popular method of interior finishing is paneling; it makes the room attractive, gives it a lived-in look and is ideal when thermal insulation is needed. When you know how you will use the garage space, choosing a material becomes much easier. If your garage will combine the functions of a service station and a workshop, you will need corrugated sheeting with its strength and non-flammability. If you plan to carry out only simple maintenance yourself, you can opt for PVC. If the garage is a place for restoring mental strength while simultaneously polishing an iron friend, there are no restrictions on the choice of material. The garage is finished using the following types of panel materials:

Cladding with PVC panels

Interior decoration of walls and ceilings with PVC panels is widespread and suitable for many owners of permanent garages; its advantages include the following qualities:

Availability

. Nice price/quality ratio.

Physical properties

. The material is moisture resistant and does not require additional processing (painting).

Panels for every taste

Easy installation

and unpretentious care.

Light weight

. Covering the gate with plastic does not increase the weight of the gates and does not load the hinges or frame structure.

Using the Frame

for fastening panels. It can be used to insulate a building, for example, with slab mineral wool.

Cheap repairs

in case of damage. It is easy to replace one part without disassembling the entire structure.

The disadvantages of using vinyl siding as garage trim include:

Low mechanical strength

. When hit, the panel is easily deformed.

Sensitivity to temperature changes

. You can purchase more reliable (and expensive) panels for facade work or special ones for the garage. This material is designed for the fact that the garage is most often not heated, and therefore has improved characteristics.

Wooden lining

The main raw material for the production of natural lining is coniferous wood, usually pine. This material is cheap, easy to process, and safe for health. Covering a garage space with clapboard will pay off if the wood has undergone preliminary protective treatment with an antiseptic and fire retardant. The positive qualities of wooden lining include the following properties:

Ecological cleanliness

and durability.

Availability

for a wide range of consumers.

Simple and reliable installation

. The lining is laid on a wooden sheathing or on a plastered wall. The parts have a notch-ridge connection system, due to which they fit tightly to each other.

Strength
and frost resistance
.

Resistance to mechanical stress

Natural texture

and a large selection of natural shades.

The disadvantages of wooden lining include the following features:

Biothreat Exposure

. In a room with high humidity, there is a high likelihood of mold and pests.

Flammability

. It decreases somewhat after using a fire retardant.

Difficult care

. It can be difficult to clean the wall from oil stains, so it is recommended to cover the wooden paneling with a layer of varnish that protects the wood from absorption.

This might be interesting!

In the article at the following link, read about decorating walls with clapboard in a wooden house.

Sheathing with plasterboard

When thinking about how to cover the inside of a garage, many people pay attention to drywall (dry plaster). To decorate a garage space, it is recommended to use a material with improved moisture and fire resistance properties. Such sheets have the designation GKLVO, a characteristic gray-green color and red markings. Using drywall has obvious advantages:

Light weight

material. The sheets are attached to a special adhesive solution or a metal frame. The second method is convenient when the walls are uneven or insulation is necessary.

Easy installation

with a minimum of construction waste (compared to classic plaster).

Use as a base

. Ceramic tiles can be fixed to the material (if it was used to level the walls) or relief plaster can be applied.

Use as a partition

. Drywall attached to a frame is suitable if you want to allocate space in the garage for a mini-warehouse or locker room.

Changing shape

. Drywall is suitable for forming not only flat, but also arched structures (after preliminary preparation).

Cladding garage walls and ceilings with plasterboard installed on a frame has its disadvantages:

Unprofitable for a small room. The frame reduces the already small free space.

Low impact resistance of walls. If it is planned to cover the plasterboard with a durable material (for example, ceramic tiles), the disadvantage disappears.

Sheathing with moisture-resistant plasterboard This may be interesting!

The construction of a permanent garage requires high-quality insulation. In the article at the following link, read about how to choose a material for internal insulation.

Sheathing with OSB sheets

As an option for finishing garage walls, you can find plywood and other wood-based materials. OSB (oriented strand board) sheets, which are made from a mixture of crushed wood and various binding additives, are well suited for constructing insulated walls. For covering garage walls (and ceilings), the best option is sheets marked OSB-3 or OSB-4. OSB-3 material is the most common choice for finishing a garage. It is characterized by good strength and average moisture resistance, therefore it requires additional moisture-proof treatment. OSB-4 is a more durable option with the following advantages:

Long service life

Durability and resistance to temperature changes

Good moisture protection

. The material does not deform in conditions of high humidity.

Mold resistance

(the composition contains antiseptic additives).

Interior decoration of a garage with OSB panels also has disadvantages:

The material belongs to the highest category of flammability

(G4).

Evaporation of harmful substances

. The sheets contain formaldehyde resins, the evaporation of which is harmful to health, but, with ventilation, can have an acceptable level.

Corrugated sheet

One of the options for practical and cheap cladding is corrugated sheeting - a profiled steel sheet protected by a polymer or paint coating. Like the lining, it is convenient to attach it to a wooden sheathing. The corrugated sheet has the following features:

Durability

and non-flammability.

Resistance to temperature changes

and to aggressive environments.

Quick installation

, provided by large sizes of material.

Main disadvantage

corrugated sheeting –
susceptibility to corrosion
.

Replacement

A bent corrugated sheet
will cost more
than repairing vinyl siding (PVC panels).

Sheathing with corrugated sheets This may be interesting!

In the article at the following link, read about corrugated roofing: sheet sizes and price.

Do I need to insulate the floor in the garage?

Whether to insulate the garage floor or not is up to everyone to decide for themselves. From the point of view of complete thermal insulation of the internal space, it is of course better to insulate. After all, through a floor laid directly on the ground, cold will always enter in late autumn and winter, disturbing the balance of the microclimate.

On the other hand, insulating the floor of an already built garage can be quite a difficult task. After all, after installing the insulation, the floor level will rise to a height of 10 to 20 cm. At a minimum, this will create problems when driving the car. And at the very least, it will make it impossible to park your car in the garage due to the fact that it will no longer fit through the gate.

Therefore, before you start insulating the floor, you need to carefully measure everything and find out whether there is enough headroom.

Among the options for do-it-yourself garage floor insulation, two main approaches can be distinguished:

Quick modification of the floor to reduce heat loss.
Installation of a full layer of insulation.

For the first option, when time, and most importantly finances, are limited, you can cover the garage floor with boards or OSB boards. Of course, this cannot be called serious insulation, but a noticeable effect will still appear. The floor will no longer be cold, and an additional air layer will appear under the flooring, holding back the cold from the base of the floor.

The second option is to fully insulate the floor by creating a multi-layer thermal insulation cake.

Taking into account the fact that the car puts a significant load on the garage floor, extruded polystyrene foam would be the best insulation option.

Blockhouse: features and characteristics

The blockhouse is made from high-quality trees, and the lined wall imitates a log covering. Depending on the price and quality, there is a division of the blockhouse into classes, which include the premium class, classes A, B and C. The highest quality is the premium class blockhouse, which does not allow any defects, but at the same time is quite expensive.

The best option for a garage is to use first-class material, which is characterized by an acceptable combination of quality characteristics and price.

The wooden panels of the blockhouse create comfortable conditions inside the garage, while simultaneously increasing thermal insulation, and they are also coated with special protective impregnations that extend their service life and prevent the formation of mold and mildew.

To install a blockhouse, it is necessary to install a frame, which allows additional insulation measures to be carried out by placing a certain thermal insulation material, which can be used as roll or tile insulation. Wooden beams are mainly used for the frame.

Watch the video:

Thus, before choosing what to cover the outside of the garage with, it is recommended to study in detail all the characteristics and properties of the materials offered, as well as the methods of performing the work.

Floor insulation

If the garage has a cellar for storing canned goods, vegetables and fruits, there is no need for floor insulation. In the absence of such an underground room, insulation is mandatory. The easiest way to insulate the floor is with foam boards. The whole workflow boils down to the following:

vacuum the base and remove dirt;
lay roofing material or plastic film on the base;
we fix sheets of polystyrene foam of maximum density (the thickness of the cake is at least 10 centimeters);
we lay waterproofing material and reinforcing mesh;
We install the beacons and fill in the leveling screed.

By following the recommendations given, you can quickly insulate all structural elements of the garage. At the final stage of work, surfaces are painted or finished with the selected material.

Instructions and stages of work

It is necessary to insulate the ceiling in the garage in compliance with all technological stages and using the necessary tools.

Materials and tools

Basic materials and tools that will be needed for installing thermal insulation:

selected insulation;
vapor-permeable membrane for waterproofing;
dense polyethylene;
cement mortar;
polyurethane foam;
mesh for reinforcement;
roofing felt or bitumen mastic;
wooden block;
galvanized profile;
antiseptic impregnation;
glue;
fasteners, tape;
tools - jigsaw, drill - screwdriver, spatula, construction knife, stapler.

A jigsaw is used to cut bars, metal profiles, lining and other external finishing materials. A drill will be required to attach the layers of thermal insulation. Use a spatula to clean the surface during preparatory work. The insulation is cut with a construction knife, and the vapor barrier is attached with a stapler.

To finish the inside you will need plasterboard, plastic panels or other suitable materials.

Preparatory work

Preparation from the inside requires thorough cleaning of the surface from paint, lime, and dirt. Outside - on the roof or attic you need to remove old coverings and debris. Existing cracks are carefully sealed with cement mortar. Thermal insulation work outside is carried out in dry and warm weather.

Insulating the ceiling from the outside

The roof or floor in the attic is insulated from the outside. Thermal insulation work on the attic floor can be carried out in a simple or more complex way. When choosing the first method, insulation is glued to the floor, which is covered with plywood or chipboard on top.

Insulating the ceiling from the outside

The sequence of work with thorough insulation is as follows:

A layer of sand no more than 10 cm thick is poured onto the floor of the attic.
Thick polyethylene or geotextile is laid on top, which will serve as waterproofing.
Filling is done with expanded clay and a reinforcing mesh is laid.
A layer of concrete mortar is poured and left until completely fixed.

Finishing does not need to be done.

You can choose another method of attic insulation:

The sheathing is made from timber with a cross-section of 40x40 mm.
Mineral wool or polystyrene foam is placed in the formed cells.
A vapor barrier (for example, plastic film) is stapled on top.
The final layer is laid with boards, chipboard or plywood.

Wood materials need to be sanded and painted.

Insulating the roof involves laying roofing felt and penofol on top of it. The final finishing can be slate, metal profiles, or roll roofing.

Foam plastic and all its analogues

The insulation technology in this case is incredibly simple. It is first necessary to carry out several measures to prepare the work front - treat the walls with antiseptics and prime them. If necessary, degreasing is carried out - for metal surfaces. Next, the foam boards are simply glued to the plane without gaps or cracks. If they do form, then after finishing the work, all existing flaws are filled with polyurethane foam. There is a more complex method for assembling wood sheathing, the same as for mineral wool. The principle of its assembly will be the same in both cases, so you can simply consider it further.

Preparation

When dealing with the internal cladding of metal structures, first of all you should take care of anti-corrosion. If there is rust on the surface of the walls, it should be removed with a special metal brush. If necessary, patch repairs of individual areas are carried out. After which the surface is treated with an anti-corrosion solution.

To ensure optimal indoor conditions, you also need to create a ventilation system. It will be needed for circulation: the system will remove exhaust air, replacing it with fresh air. Otherwise, accumulated heavy vapors and gases can cause condensation. Condensation negatively affects the condition of the supporting structure of the garage, the car and stored products.

After applying the anti-corrosion solution, it usually takes several days for it to dry completely. Then they begin to insulate the box from the inside. This kind of work can be done with your own hands. According to the rules, first the walls are insulated, then the roof, gates, and only then, if necessary, the protection of the floor is strengthened.

Mineral wool

Preparation of the base for insulation is carried out similarly to the previous option, but insulation of the garage walls from the inside in this case will differ in technology. First, you should assemble the sheathing from wood or metal parts. Usually, these are familiar profiles intended for installation of gypsum plasterboard structures. The installation step of the elements almost corresponds to the width of a roll of mineral wool or a hard mat made of the same material, but slightly smaller. This way the insulation will be securely fixed in the cells of the frame.

Next, you should take care to protect the insulator from moisture and lay a layer of waterproofing. Rigid mats of cotton wool insulation are placed inside the cells or pieces of rolled wool cut to size are inserted. The resulting structure is covered with a layer of vapor barrier and decorated to your liking. It should be taken into account that mineral wool will completely lose its properties when it gets wet and protect it as best as possible from water.

Review of popular insulation for garage roofs

Let's take a closer look at what types of insulation we know and why they are good.

Glass wool

It is not for nothing that it is first on the list, because it is the most popular on the market for the purpose of insulating a garage. Its properties allow you not to worry about it deteriorating, becoming infected with fungus, starting to decompose due to the influence of moisture and condensation, and will not cause a fire. The thermal conductivity coefficient of glass wool is 0.031, and, for example, that of the same stone wool is 0.035, which is insignificant, but different and conducts more cold into your garage than glass wool will. It is unlikely to harbor insects and is one of the most affordable in terms of price. It is sold in blocks. But you can also buy it in a roll. Unfortunately, this insulation has its drawbacks. For example, it is unsafe if it comes into contact with the skin, eyes, nose and mouth. If such a problem occurs, then you need to immediately go to the doctor, otherwise it promises suppuration on the skin and problems with the eyes.

Expanded polystyrene (or polystyrene foam)

Foam plastic for roof insulation

This type of insulation is the most popular for insulating apartments in high-rise buildings. But it's just as good for the garage. One of its best qualities is that it does not absorb moisture at all, has minimal thermal conductivity - a thermal conductivity coefficient of 0.043. This coefficient, as you have noticed, is greater than that of stone wool, and we will talk about it below. While we easily list the pros, do not forget that this material also has its cons. For example, it is easily flammable, as well as the fact that its structure can be easily disturbed by various rodents and insects, which often settle there as a whole flock and breed. This, at a minimum, spoils your thermal insulation, and, at a maximum, is the reason for calling disinfectants.

Stone wool

Stone wool mats are laid between the roof rafters

This type of insulation also belongs to mineral wool, but at the same time, its thermal insulation is worse than glass wool. This type of insulation is just as good as glass wool - it suppresses noise well and is completely waterproof. Therefore, it is really worth recommending for insulating a garage roof.

Penoizol

Liquid penoizol is the most modern material for roof insulation and more

This is a relatively new and very effective insulation. It is very convenient to work with: it is applied to the surface in liquid form, after which it quickly hardens, filling all joints, crevices and cracks. It is characterized by fire resistance and does not absorb moisture. The service life of penoizol is from 50 to 70 years. The only drawback is the high price and the need to use specialized equipment for spraying the material.

Types of insulation

The construction market offers a wide variety of insulation materials, which differ in thickness, structure, flexibility, installation method and other characteristics. Before performing external or internal thermal insulation work, it is recommended to compare suitable insulation options and select the optimal one.

When selecting material, it is necessary to provide the required quantity to completely cover all surfaces. An integrated approach will help you choose a material with the best insulating properties.

Mineral wool

Mineral wool, which is a roll-type material with a foil coating that reflects heat, is ideal for the interior cladding of a building. Mineral wool is easy to install and does not create a load on the ceilings of walls and roofs. Mineral wool fibers ensure free air circulation through the layers of insulation, which prevents the development of mold.

Styrofoam

Polystyrene foam is considered a universal insulation material that can be attached to any surface inside the garage. The material is not exposed to liquids, is resistant to changing temperatures, does not rot or mold over time. When interacting with polyurethane foam or glue, the foam does not collapse due to the absence of a chemical reaction. The disadvantages of the material are easy flammability and the threat of damage by rodents. To protect the foam, additional protective finishing is required.

Expanded polystyrene

According to the installation method, expanded polystyrene has a number of similarities with polystyrene foam. Distinctive characteristics are a reduced water absorption coefficient and increased density. Due to its large thickness, polystyrene foam provides more powerful protection against frost, but is more expensive than other materials.

Penoizol

Penoizol is an analogue of polystyrene foam and is used for application to walls in a liquid state. The material absorbs liquid well, but does not accumulate it in itself, evaporating into the air. Penoizol is considered a hygroscopic, vapor-permeable insulation with a combustion class of G-1. One of the competitive advantages of penoizol is the possibility of production directly on the job site and subsequent application to any surface.

Glass wool

Compared to mineral wool, glass wool is cheaper, but it can only be used with protective gloves. Cotton fibers are hard and prickly, so neglecting safety precautions can lead to injury. If liquid drips onto the surface of the glass wool during installation, it will have to be thrown away, since it is not possible to dry it. Once wet, the fibers lose their original characteristics and emit an unpleasant odor.

Polyurethane foam

Modern material has rapidly become widespread due to its increased resistance to external factors. Polyurethane foam does not lose its qualities when interacting with liquid and, after drying, forms a dense hydrophobic coating. Application of the material requires specialized equipment.

Warm plaster

Reformulated plaster consists of specialized fillers, including sawdust, expanded polystyrene particles and expanded vermiculite. The combination of fillers gives the plaster thermal insulation properties. To obtain the required result when finishing premises, it is necessary to apply a dense and heavy layer of plaster. To simplify it, it is recommended to combine warm plaster with other types of insulation materials.

Thermal insulation paint

To protect against cold weather and give the garage a decorative appearance, liquid materials made from acrylic polymers are used. Pigments of natural origin and synthetic rubber are added to the paint.

In terms of thermal insulation properties, one layer of paint replaces a layer of mineral wool 50 mm thick. The paint adheres well to wood, metal and plastic surfaces. After application, the paint forms a vapor-permeable coating and ensures air permeability, preventing waterlogging of the internal component of the structure.

Where is it better to insulate - inside or outside?

Some garage owners argue that it is better to insulate the room from the outside, as this will significantly save interior space. We really have to agree with this. Some thermal insulation materials begin to release substances harmful to humans into the air when interacting with the environment. They are dangerous to install indoors, but they are perfect for external thermal insulation.

But there is also the other side of the coin - the insulation materials used will be constantly affected by precipitation: snow, rain, hail, strong gusts of wind, etc. Therefore, the service life of materials is reduced to 2-3 years, while indoors they can last 10 years, or even more.

You can insulate the garage both outside and inside at the same time. At least the roof. This will help get rid of condensation that may collect on the roof and drip through cracks.

Installation work

Since, according to the laws of physics, heat always escapes through the top, insulation of a metal garage should begin from the ceiling. There are a lot of options for finishing it, in particular, it is quite possible

Ceiling

for the organization of a “false ceiling”. However, this will slightly reduce the usable area of the room.

Also suitable for protection are layers of mineral wool, which should be installed using lathing. In this case, it is better to use an angle profile, bitumen mastic and a special sealant. It should be noted here that experts do not welcome this method due to its technical complexity.

Walls

The type of installation work will depend on the choice of insulation. So, to install thermal insulation using glass or mineral wool, as well as polystyrene foam, you will need a lathing made of wooden slats or metal profiles. The width of its gaps must correspond to the parameters of the layers of the selected insulation. Do not forget about the need to lay a waterproofing film between the surface of the walls, insulation and cladding. It should be understood that insulating a garage with foam plastic requires a layer of heat insulation of at least 3-4 cm.

If some thin insulation will be used as finishing, then an adhesive can be used to apply it. And a heat insulator such as polyurethane foam will independently cover all seams and irregularities, since it will cover the surface with a durable crust. However, its application requires special tools, so it is recommended to contact professionals to perform such work.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=BhKWBeN6tes

If the owner's choice fell on heat-insulating paint, then a roller is indispensable. Before purchasing the substance, you will need to make certain calculations, since the consumption looks impressive - about half a liter per 1 m2.

Gates

So, you roughly already know how to insulate a metal garage from the inside. But there is one more point to remember. Namely, about insulating gates, through the cracks of which all the heat evaporates. If in temperate latitudes, in order to reduce heat loss when leaving the garage, it is enough to make a curtain of thick fabric, then in cold regions you cannot do without insulating the gate with insulating sheathing.

Foam plastic is perfect for these purposes due to its ease of installation. Or hard insulation - polystyrene foam. It is cut into slabs of a given size, after which it is attached to wooden planks, which were prudently placed on the gate. But before this, the iron surface must be covered with a waterproofing film, and the wooden slats with anti-mold mastic. Fastening occurs using adhesive. You should not forget to treat the seams with sealant, and install a rubber gasket along the walls to prevent the cold from blowing in. Then you can begin finishing the insulated surface with some kind of moisture-resistant material. In winter, the drain under the gate is plugged with thick rags.

Floor

The thermal insulation properties of the room can be significantly improved by treating the lower level. In this case, everything will depend on the type of floor surface. As a rule, it is covered with sand-cement screed or iron, which requires appropriate insulation. Since the floor is a fire-hazardous surface, it is recommended to use components that do not contribute to rapid ignition. You will definitely need a primer.

Carrying out insulation work in accordance with the above instructions will ensure the required microclimate for the owner’s car. Strict requirements will ensure not only the safety of the car, but also the comfort of a person being indoors.

And we also know how to get a good workbench!