Stairs from a garage
Insulating your home saves money on heating and cooling costs. Insulation keeps your home warmer in winter and cooler in the summer. Choosing the correct insulation will make your dollars go farther and maximize the energy efficiency of the project. Insulating heated spaces from unheated spaces, such as garages and attics, are ideal areas to begin an insulation project.
R-values
The effectiveness of insulation is measured in R-values. The higher the value, the better the insulation resists the transfer of heat. Current federal energy codes recommend an R-30 to R-60 for attic and roof installations, an R-13 to R-21 for walls and R-13 to R-30 for floors. The R-value that is required depends on the weather zone in which you live. Check the Zip Code Insulation Calculator to find the insulation recommended for your area.
Types of insulation
Insulation comes in various types. The easiest for a do-it-yourselfer to install is fiberglass or rock-wool insulation that comes in rolls or batts. The material is available in various widths standardized for conventional building methods. For example, a wall constructed with 2 x 4 studs would easily accommodate an R-13 or R-15 batt. A wall formed from 2 x 6 studs would accommodate an R-19 or R-21 roll or batt. This is also the least expensive type of insulation.
Rigid foam insulation has double the R-value per inch than fiberglass or rock wool. It is also nearly twice as expensive. It comes in sizes suitable to the framing of a structure and can easily be cut to fit. It is less messy than fiber insulation and is a better sound insulator than fiberglass.
Foam-in-place insulation reduces air leakage and sound. It is sprayed in and expands to fill the cavity.
Loose-fill insulation is usually made of fiberglass, rock wool or cellulose. It is blown into spaces using pressure equipment. The blown-in material conforms readily to building cavities and attics.
Requirements
Building codes require separation between garages and living spaces to prevent fire from spreading. The walls of a stairwell should be insulated to a minimum of R-13 for energy efficiency and be faced with 5/8-inch, fire-rated gypsum board, sometimes referred to as type X. Seams need to be sealed with drywall tape and joint compound.
When installing the insulation staple the flanges of the batts to the studs defining the cavity. Do not compress the insulation as it lessens the R-value.
Insulating the stairs from the garage to your living area will cut energy costs, and installing fire-rated gypsum board will protect your home from a fire that starts in the garage.
The underside of the stairs from a garage do not need to be insulated since they are in the unheated space and no part of them touches the heated space.
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