Garage insulation in Arizona: how to make the hottest room in the house usable
A Phoenix-area garage can pass 115°F in July and drop into the 40s on winter mornings. Insulation is what turns it from a storage oven into a space you can actually use. Here is where the heat comes from, what to insulate first and what results to expect.
Why do Arizona garages get so hot?
Most Valley garages have almost nothing between them and the sun: a bare attic above, uninsulated walls, and a large metal door facing the afternoon sun.
The attic above a garage is often left uninsulated, so 130°F-plus attic heat comes straight through the ceiling. The garage door radiates heat inward for hours. And the concrete slab soaks up heat all day and releases it all evening. If a bedroom or bonus room sits above or next to the garage, that heat reaches it too.
What should you insulate first?
Start with the ceiling. It is the largest source of heat and the most cost-effective surface to insulate.
After the ceiling, insulate the walls, especially exterior walls and the wall shared with the house. Then address the garage door with an insulated door or a door insulation kit.
Do you need to remove drywall to insulate garage walls?
No. For finished garage walls we use drill-and-fill: small 3-inch holes between the studs, insulation blown into each cavity, then the holes are sealed.
Drywall repair and paint over those holes are not included. If the walls are open framing, we can install insulation directly before drywall goes up.
Will insulation alone cool my garage?
It will make it noticeably cooler and usable for more of the day, but insulation does not add cooling.
For a garage you want comfortable year-round, insulation is the first step and a ductless mini-split is the second. Insulating first usually lets you install a smaller, less expensive mini-split that runs far less. We can scope both together.
Who benefits most from garage insulation?
How long does garage insulation take?
Most garage ceilings and doors are done in a day. Adding drill-and-fill walls can add a second day depending on the size of the garage. We protect your belongings, clean up completely and walk the job with you.
AZ Insulation & HVAC Solutions is a family-owned company based in Mesa, serving Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, Queen Creek, Tempe, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, Peoria, Apache Junction, Cave Creek, Gold Canyon, Goodyear and Surprise. Licensed, bonded and insured, ROC# 301682. Call 480-662-2874 or use the form above to book your free garage assessment.