What Insulation Is Best for the Garage?

Most people treat garage insulation like a throwaway decision—until their “man cave” turns into a meat locker in January or a sweat lodge in July. If you spend any time out there—lifting weights, tinkering with tools, or just trying to keep the pipes from freezing—then yeah, insulation matters. A lot.

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At Nealon Insulation, we’ve insulated enough garages across Connecticut to know what works, what doesn’t, and what’s a waste of money. Let’s get into it.

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Why Garage Insulation Is Worth It

We once helped a homeowner on Shore Road who had a killer garage workshop setup—but was working in it wearing three layers like he was prepping for Everest. Sound familiar?

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Insulating your garage properly will:

• Keep winter cold and summer heat out
• Lower your energy bills
• Make the space usable year-round (hello, home gym or office)
• Protect pipes from freezing
• Cut down on drafts entering your home from the garage

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Our Take on the Best Garage Insulation Options

After decades in the game, here’s how we rank the contenders:

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1. Blown-In Cellulose (Our Favorite for Most Garages)

Cellulose is made from recycled paper treated to resist fire and pests. It’s dense, eco-friendly, and fills every gap.

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📍 Perfect for: Finished garage walls and ceilings

Pros:

• Fills all the nooks and crannies (no cold spots)
• Great sound dampening (band practice, anyone?)
• Doesn’t sag over time
• Environmentally friendly

Cons:

• Needs wall covering (drywall, paneling, etc.)
• Not a DIY material—call us in

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2. Fiberglass Batts (Budget-Friendly, but Be Careful)

The classic pink stuff. You’ve seen it. You might’ve even tried to install it.

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📍 Good for: Unfinished garages if you’re on a tight budget

Pros:

• Cheap
• DIY-friendly (if you know what you’re doing)

Cons:

• Gaps = cold air leaks
• Not great in humid areas (hello, mold)
• You need a lot of it to match the performance of cellulose or foam

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3. Rigid Foam Board (Awesome for Garage Doors and Walls)

Foam panels are clean, simple, and surprisingly effective.

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📍 Great for: Garage doors, ceilings, unfinished walls

Pros:

• High R-value for the thickness
• Moisture-resistant
• Clean install

Cons:

• Needs drywall covering for fire safety
• Pricier than fiberglass
• Requires careful sealing to be effective

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4. Spray Foam (Top-Shelf Stuff for Living Space Conversions)

If you’re turning your garage into a full-time living area—family room, in-law suite, etc.—spray foam is elite.

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📍 Ideal for: Converting garage to conditioned living space

Pros:

• Highest R-value
• Seals air leaks in one go
• Great moisture barrier (important near the coast)

Cons:

• Expensive
• Not DIY-friendly
• Needs pro install and ventilation

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Don’t Skip the Garage Door

We see this constantly: people insulate all the walls and ceiling, then leave their giant garage door untouched. That’s like putting on a winter jacket with no zipper.

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Options:

• Foam board kits made for garage doors
• Reflective barriers
• Or upgrade to an insulated door if yours is ancient

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So, What’s the Best Insulation for Your Garage?

Here’s our quick take:

• Blown-in cellulose is your best bet for finished garages.
• Foam board is great for doors and exposed walls.
• Spray foam is worth the splurge if you’re converting the space.

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We helped a family on East Main Street who were trying to heat their workshop with a space heater. After we installed cellulose, they barely needed the heater at all. That’s the power of doing insulation right.

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Need Help? We Got You.

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At Nealon Insulation, we don’t just stuff walls with insulation. We solve problems. If you’re ready to make your garage usable year-round, we’re ready to help—no matter the setup.

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📞 Give us a call for a free consultation.

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Comfort. Efficiency. No compromises. That’s the Nealon way.

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