Thanks for the insulation info. I was just at my local home improvement store yesterday looking for a good solution to the garage door problem. I'll try the Reflectix and see how it does in the cold winters of Michigan

Alex,

When I put out the video it was still summer with temperatures in the upper 90's. While I wouldn't begin to compare Tennessee's winter's to Michigan's, so far it's worked well.

I've checked the temperature on several mornings when the outside temp was upper 20's and the shop temp was a comfortable 64 degrees. Again, results will vary depending on how well the rest of your shop is insulated. Only two walls of my shop are exposed to the outside which makes a big difference.

Let us all know how the Reflectix insulation works in Michigan.

-Craig

Craig,

I just watched your podcast on insulating your garage doors. You've had a couple more months with it insulated now. Has it still been helping? I've been thinking about doing my door for awhile now.

Mike

Mike,

It just so happens that I check on the temperature of the shop the other morning when it was 15 degrees outside.

The temperature in the shop was 54 degrees. Not bad in my book. The best thing that the insulation has done was to make it faster to heat up the shop and easier to maintain that temperature. I normally get the shop temperature up to 62 degrees and cut off the heaters. I can usually work for another hour or two without cutting the heaters back on. Before I'd have to leave the heaters running all the time just to maintain a comfortable temperature.

-Craig

Craig-
Just watched this video.
Good job!
Just wanted to share this...
I'm in the Phoenix area where we had 90 days over 110 degrees this summer! My garage door faces north, so I get oblique sun on the door most of the afternoon. In the summer, I usually work with the door open, since it's basically like a solar oven with the door shut ("It's a dry heat"! as the Chamber of Commerce would say). I use fans on their highest speeds, which can cause another set of problems - like tornadic conditions. Although I don't do a lot of woodworking in the hottest part of the summer, I can do some work that doesn't involve glue or finish (or anything that can spontaneously combust - like steel tools).

Seriously, I've enjoyed your videos! Keep them coming!

Steve,

Thanks for your comment and for your kind words about the video on insulating garage doors. I really appreciate it!

I think that if I had to work in 110 degree heat in my shop I would be what spontaneously combusted, forget the tools!

Enjoy the weather right now to get as much shop time in as you can.

Thanks again,

Craig Stevens

I am about to establish a workshop in my garage. I am going to insulate my garage attic and the doors. I was informed that the foam squares would be the best insulation. Do you think using a double layer of the insulation in this podcast would help up the R value and keep out the 110 degree days.

Thanks so much for any assistance you may be able to disclose

Greg

Gregg,

Congratulations on the new shop! Have fun setting it up.

The reason that I choose the Reflectix insulation is because, for the money and for fitting in-between the panels on my garage doors, it was the best choice. If your garage doors are like mine, then I would recommend it.

I looked at the foam squares before I did mine. The things that bothered me about it was keeping the panels in place when I needed to raise the garage doors and the cost. The panels may have stayed in just fine, but not being as flexible as the Reflectix material was, I thought it would stay put better. After about 6 months use, I've never had a problem with the Reflectix sheets coming out.

As far as insulating the attic above your garage, I would probably use the "pink" roles of spun insulation. It would have a better R value than the Reflectix would be able to give. Reflectix is just too thin to offer the insulation you would need in an attic, even doubling up on it.

Let me know how it goes.

Craig Stevens

I was the person who asked about the insulation with the reflective insulation. Knowing that neither had a certain answer, I called a trusted service man who I know. He advised against me using the blue board type of insulation with this silver colored reflective insulation due to the foam being heavier. He disclosed that the door may labor the motor more diligent if I added that much more weight to a double door. He suggested the foam type kits sold by Home Depot or Lowe's. I have a single car garage with an obvious single car garage door and a double car garage with a double car garage door, so he felt the double door may be adversely affected.

I haven't tested the temperature inside VS outside with a meter, but plan to do so.

Living in Phoenix suburb the exterior becomes to hot to the touch as the door is metal. The drop inside allow for a much lower temperature to the touch. If I were to guess it would be at least 40 degrees.

I will measure the differnce in the near future and let you know. By the way for an amateur, the end result of the installation wasn't too bad.

Thanks Greg