Keeping the Shop Cool

Wow, it's HOT!  Here in Tennessee the temperature has remained in the upper nineties for several weeks, with a few days in the low 100's.  When it gets that hot, shop time isn't quite as enjoyable. If you've been following our videos you know that I talked about insulating my garage doors some how in our shop tour video. 

Well, with the heat lately I'm ready to do something to keep the temperature down in the shop.  I don't want to put the money into buying insulated garage doors (mine are just sheet metal) so I've investigated some alternatives.

I've came up with two options.  The first option is to use 4 x 8 sheets of foam insulation and cut them down to size to fit in-between the panels of my doors.  This is the least costly, but I'm not sure it's the best method.  In order to get the most out of each sheet I will have to cut the pieces out across the length, leaving me with only a 48" long piece for each panel. The panels on my garage doors are 54" wide which will leave a gap on each end.  Another thing that concerns me about the foam sheets of insulation is that they aren't very flexible.  I don't open my garage doors often, but I still need access for large items to be moved in and out.  I'm concerned that the foam might not be flexible enough to last for the long haul.

Option number 2.  This is what I'm leaning towards, it's a reflective insulation that's very thin, (I think it's only 3/8") but still insulates well against radiant heat and cold.  It's very flexible and comes in three different widths in rolls of 25'.  

Three problems I have with this product is size, instillation, and cost.  The middle size is 24" wide, which is the closest to what I need.  I only need 21", so I'm not sure if it's best to cut it down to the correct width or just fold it over.  I would like to just fold it over, but that brings up the second problem, how to install it.  Most applications for this product is it's either stapled into the wall or it's sandwiched between two items.  Neither of these circumstances will work for me.  I need something that's not permanent, but will stay put until I want it to come down.

I've thought about installing the panels with hot glue or maybe contact cement.  I don't know if either of these will last through the constant changes in temperature that they would be subject to. 

The third problem is cost.  This product is almost double the cost of the 4 x 8 foam insulation.  Ouch!   

I think I'm just going to have to try something and experiment with it to try to come up with the best answer.

If you've got any suggestions, let me know by leaving a comment below.

Craig Stevens