Garages make an excellent workspace, but not when they’re uncomfortably hot – especially if you live in a climate prone to extreme heat. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to keep your garage cool. These tips make it easier to control the temperature inside your garage all year round.
1. Insulate Your Garage Door
Many garage doors, especially older doors, are made from uninsulated metal or wood. These doors heat up in summer and become cold in winter, causing major temperature fluctuations inside the garage. You can prevent this from happening by installing insulation on the door, thus protecting the garage interior from temperature fluctuations outside.
Garage door insulation is sold in foam sheets or insulation kits that can be purchased from most home improvement stores. Foam insulation kits are inexpensive, easy to install, and can help reduce heat transfer by as much as 97%.
The best part about this method is that it’s simple and affordable, Just follow these steps:
- Measure the size of your door before buying foam insulation, which comes in different thicknesses (commonly 1-inch or 2-inch).
- Purchase enough foam insulation for each side of the door by taking measurements from both sides, including any trim that might be involved (if there’s no trim, measure out a rectangle 2 inches wider than the width of the door itself). This will ensure that there are no gaps between pieces as well as provide an even layer over all surfaces.
- Place sheets over each side of the door with enough overlap so that no gaps show; using scissors or utility knife, cut out any extra material at corners or around windowsills if necessary but don’t make slits any larger than about 1 inch wide otherwise air leakage will occur through those areas when temperatures drop during winter months later on down road when temperatures drop below freezing point again!
However, insulation installed after the fact is not as attractive as a door with insulation built into the core. If you’re in the market for a new garage door, the best option is to purchase a pre-insulated model. Thermacore doors are the highest-rated insulated garage doors offered by Overhead Door. Our premium Thermacore garage doors are made of steel, with polyurethane sandwiched between. These doors help homeowners maintain a constant temperature in their garage without infiltration from drafts and temperature extremes outside.
2. Paint Your Garage in Light Colors
Dark colors absorb heat from the sun. In the summer, a garage that has been painted a dark color may be warmer and more uncomfortable than a garage that has been painted in a light color. You can reduce the temperature of your garage this summer by repainting it to a lighter, brighter color that will reflect heat from the sun.
Look for paint colors like white, yellow and cream. It helps to repaint your garage door, or if you’re in the process of replacing it, purchase a door of a lighter color.
3. Install a Portable Air Conditioner or Use Fans
You don’t need to have ductwork installed in your garage to have an air conditioner. Portable A/Cs are available for purchase at home improvement centers, and need no ducts in order to function. Once you’ve insulated and repainted the garage in a lighter color, this is the perfect time to purchase a portable air conditioner. Before buying an A/C, check the electrical service in your garage to ensure that your garage gets enough power. If not, you may need to upgrade.
If an air conditioner unit is out of the picture, use a fan to circulate air. This will help keep hot air moving throughout the garage so that it’s not as sticky and uncomfortable. If your garage doesn’t have any windows or doors, you’ll want to make sure that you have an exhaust fan in place that can pull out hot air and bring in cooler air from outside. You can install one manually or buy a self-install kit if you don’t want to hire someone else to do the job for you.
If there are some windows that open in your garage, try placing fans near them so they can push hot air out of them (and into either a window or door). Again, this is especially helpful if there aren’t any exhaust fans already installed in your garage; otherwise, these fans can still be helpful when combined with other methods like those mentioned above!
Contact a Garage Door Contractor
With these three simple tips, you’ll be able to turn your garage from overheated oven to relaxing retreat. Just remember that the most important thing is doing what works for you, your budget, and your garage.
We know how important it is to have a comfortable garage when it’s time to get work done inside. At Overhead Door of Wilmington, we can answer your questions and help you decide the best way to keep the garage cool in summer. We offer a variety of insulated products that can help. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The three best ways to keep your garage cool in the summer are insulation, ventilation, and shading.
Insulation helps keep a garage cool in the summer by preventing heat from entering through the walls and ceiling. Insulating your garage door can also help keep the hot air outside and the cool air inside.
Ventilation helps keep a garage cool in the summer by allowing hot air to escape and cool air to circulate. Installing a ventilation fan or leaving the garage door partially open can help achieve better air circulation and cooling.
Shading can help keep a garage cool in the summer by blocking the sun’s direct rays from entering through windows or the garage door. This can be achieved by installing shades or blinds on windows, using reflective films, or installing an awning over the garage door.
While it is possible to install insulation, ventilation, and shading in your garage yourself, it is recommended to hire a professional to ensure proper installation and safety.
The cost to insulate, ventilate, or shade a garage varies depending on the size of the garage, the materials used, and the extent of the work required. It is best to contact a professional garage door company for an accurate estimate.
It is recommended to maintain your garage’s cooling system at least once a year to ensure it is working properly and efficiently.
A professional garage door company can inspect your garage and recommend the best cooling options based on your needs and budget. They can also provide professional installation and maintenance services for your cooling system.
