If you work in your garage in the cold of winter, heating the space can make the task more comfortable and easier, because you don't have to wear gloves for warmth. An insulated garage will be more economical to heat. Installing insulation in a garage with a cathedral ceiling, without an attic, will take many hours to accomplish, but the money you save in energy costs makes it worthwhile.
Instructions
1. Measure the distance between the trusses. Multiply the number of spaces to be filled by the length of the trusses to determine how many feet of insulation are needed. When purchasing insulation that fits the width between trusses, be sure to check the "R" value of the insulation against the government suggested rating (see "Department of Energy Insulation Zone Map" under Resources to find the recommendation for your area). If in doubt, go with R-30 for the ceiling.
2. Wear protective clothing, including long sleeves and pants, gloves, goggles and mask over your nose and mouth, when working with fiberglass insulation.
3. Roll the insulation out and measure the first piece. If the distance you are to cover is particularly long, cut two pieces that can be butt-ended together for easier installation. Cut the insulation over a piece of plywood or other scrap wood to avoid dulling your knife on the garage floor.
4. Use a ladder or scaffold and place the cut strip between the trusses with the paper side down. Staple the "wings" of the insulation to the bottom of trusses, keeping the insulation pulled snug. If you will be gluing drywall to the studs instead of using screws to secure it, staple the wing to the inside bottom of the truss.
5. Cut the insulation out around light sockets and electric outlets. If the outlet is not insulated, place a piece of insulation over the top of the it. Scrap insulation can be used to tuck into gaps.
6. Secure gapping of insulation with wire supports specifically designed for that purpose, which secure perpendicular to the trusses.
An alternate method is to staple twine at a 45-degree angle to the trusses starting at the top left and going to bottom right. Space the twine about every 2 feet (more or less as needed). Repeat the process starting at the top right and extend the twine to the trusses down the lower left, stapling it to the trusses. The twine will leave a diamond pattern.
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