Outside Wall Closet Insulation

[Reese Thompson]

My master bedroom closet on my personal residence is freezing cold!  The closet is on an outside wall, and I think it may not have insulation because the guy who built the home cut a lot of corners.  Does anyone know how to check to see if there is insulation?  I do not have any outlets to pull the covers off.  I also don't have trim to cover up a hole.  

If I were to tear out all of the drywall and insulate it (assuming no insulation after checking), I've thought about lining the closet with cedar.  Would I need to put up drywall again before the cedar, or can I attach the cedar directly to the studs?

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Account Closed]

Small closet or walk-in?  If latter, is it heated?  Therein may be the culprit.  If you have a forced air system, rooms (be they closets or a small room - but generally speaking an area with a door) and there is no supply in it, they can get quite cool - even if the bedroom is comfortable.

Before poking holes in walls (which is all you really need to do, just drill a 3/4" hole and inspect... visually or by sticking your finger in it... very easy to fill/patch), I'd check to be sure that the area above and below were insulated if they are attic/crawlspace/unheated basement.

If it's not insulated, you could remove the drywall and install insulation or you could use loose fill using a series of larger holes - just be aware that horizontal bridging will require two sets of holes for each stud cavity.

As for installing cedar... depends on type and thickness, but I prefer having a substrate regardless.