[Greenbuilding] Garage/Workshop

[John Messerschmidt]

Hi There,

I have a garage 20x20x8'high, built in 1964 out of cement block.  The
ceiling is 4" of concrete with a flat rubber membrane roof.  West wall is
against earth (side of a hill), south wall is abutting the (non insulated)
living area of our walk out basement.  East wall is exposed, North wall has
the  garage doors.  The house is in New York.

I wanted to frame out the walls and ceiling and spray on Tiger foam or
cellulose so that I can use the garage as a woodshop in the winter without
having to heat it.  I could work in there if the temperature would be in the
50's.  Now I'm finding that to insulate (never mind the framing and
sheetrock) could be $1500 or more.  That's ok, if it works.  I'm just afraid
that with all the concrete and air leaks in the garage door I'd end up
freezing anyway.  The floor is of course, concrete too.

Additionally, we extended a room above the garage, taking up one quarter of
the garage surface.  Now there is a dining room sitting on top of the
concrete ceiling of the garage.  In order to keep the dining room floor
level with existing, there is only 3 1/2" of Icynene insulation between the
framing.  If I could insulate the ceiling below, would it help the dining
room above?

Do you think it's a good idea to add the expense of insulating this
workshop?  Should I save the $1500 and use it to buy electricity to run an
electric heater?

Thanks for your help.



John