Terrysss
Automotive
- Jan 31, 2011
- 1
I have some supply and return ducts in my lower garage that I am in the process of insulating. The garage walls are insulated with blown in cellulos and there is living space above. One wall is shared with the house (basement). One wall is poured concrete probably 60% below grade and one wall is poured concrete about 40% below grade. The above grade exterior walls have blown in insulation 2x4 walls. One side is mostly made up of two 9” x 9” garage doors. There are two hvac supply registers on the basement wall but I do not open them. Even though I live in Kansas City the garage stays fairly warm. Even when it is 0 – 10 degrees F outside it seldom gets below 40 degrees in the garage. Most of the winter it stays around 50 degrees F. In the summer it stays reasonably cool in the garage.
In the summer I have on rare occasions noticed the supply ductwork sweating. I only remember it doing this if the garage door is open long enough to allow humid air in the garage.
I have insulated about8 feet of the supply ductwork with 3-1/2’ fiberglass insulation with a paper vapor barrier. I have the vapor barrier away from the duct and foil taped the seams. I also sealed all of the seams in the ducts that I could. I have framed and sheet rocked over the ductwork.
I still have about 5 feet of supply and about 3 feet of return in one area to do. All of the ductwork mentioned is along the basement wall.
I have about 7 feet of return in the center of the garage. One side is against the ceiling sheet rock and one side is next to an I-beam so there is very little clearance from the I-beam.
I just now read that paper vapor barrier is not recommended. A foil vapor barrier is recommended to avoid condensation and possible mold etc.
Do you think I have created a problem? I hate to have to tear out the sheetrock work that I have done. But I will if it needs to be done.
How should I insulate/vapor barrier the remaining duct work that is against the basement wall and how should I insulate/vapor barrier the return by the I-beam? Thank you.
In the summer I have on rare occasions noticed the supply ductwork sweating. I only remember it doing this if the garage door is open long enough to allow humid air in the garage.
I have insulated about8 feet of the supply ductwork with 3-1/2’ fiberglass insulation with a paper vapor barrier. I have the vapor barrier away from the duct and foil taped the seams. I also sealed all of the seams in the ducts that I could. I have framed and sheet rocked over the ductwork.
I still have about 5 feet of supply and about 3 feet of return in one area to do. All of the ductwork mentioned is along the basement wall.
I have about 7 feet of return in the center of the garage. One side is against the ceiling sheet rock and one side is next to an I-beam so there is very little clearance from the I-beam.
I just now read that paper vapor barrier is not recommended. A foil vapor barrier is recommended to avoid condensation and possible mold etc.
Do you think I have created a problem? I hate to have to tear out the sheetrock work that I have done. But I will if it needs to be done.
How should I insulate/vapor barrier the remaining duct work that is against the basement wall and how should I insulate/vapor barrier the return by the I-beam? Thank you.