Insulation Drywall

Insulation and drywall for garage conversions across San Diego County

Proper insulation and drywall are what separate a conditioned, livable converted space from a hot box in July or a cold room in January, and California Title 24 sets minimum performance requirements for every permitted garage conversion. We connect San Diego County homeowners with insured crews that specify the right insulation type for the wall and ceiling assemblies, install fire-rated drywall where required by code, and finish to a paint-ready surface. Garage Convert SD is a referral service, insured but not licensed, cslb.ca.gov.

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Crew installing batt insulation in the framed walls of a San Diego County garage conversion before drywall

What's included in this service?

Insulation specification based on Title 24 compliance requirements for the wall, ceiling, and slab-edge assemblies
Batt insulation for standard stud-framed walls and ceiling joists in most conversion scopes
Closed-cell spray foam for garages with metal stud framing, difficult wall cavities, or higher thermal performance requirements
Rigid foam board at the slab perimeter and under flooring where moisture and thermal bridging are concerns
Fire-rated type X drywall installation on walls and ceilings where California code requires a fire separation assembly
Taping, mudding, and sanding to a smooth Level 4 or Level 5 finish ready for paint

When do you need this service?

The garage walls and ceiling have no existing insulation and the space is unusable in summer heat or winter cool
The permit drawings specify an insulation type or R-value your existing wall assembly does not meet
Your garage is attached to the house and you need a fire-rated drywall assembly between the garage and the living space
You want to finish the walls after the conversion framing is complete and need taping and finishing to paint-ready quality
An inspection has flagged the insulation or drywall as non-compliant and the work needs to be corrected before final sign-off

What do homeowners ask about Insulation Drywall?

What insulation R-value does a San Diego garage conversion need?

California Title 24 for Climate Zone 7 (most of San Diego County coastal and central areas) requires a minimum R-13 for exterior walls and R-19 for ceilings in new and converted habitable space. East County and inland areas fall into Climate Zone 10, which requires R-19 walls and R-30 ceilings. The Title 24 compliance report in your permit package specifies the exact values for your property. The crews we refer insulate to the permit specification.

Does an attached garage conversion need fire-rated drywall?

Yes. California building code requires a one-hour fire separation between an attached garage and the habitable portions of the home. This typically means 5/8-inch type X drywall on the shared wall and ceiling between the garage and the house. The conversion scope that connects the garage to the main home may modify this requirement, and your permit drawings specify what is required for your specific layout.

Is spray foam insulation worth it for a San Diego garage conversion?

Closed-cell spray foam performs better than batt at the same wall thickness, provides an air and vapor barrier, and adds structural rigidity to the wall assembly. It is typically $2-$4 per square foot more than batt insulation. For East County and inland San Diego County locations where summer temperatures regularly exceed 95 degrees, the thermal performance difference is meaningful. For coastal San Diego where temperature swings are moderate, batt insulation meets code and performs well.