Summers in Northeast Ohio are no joke. From Canton to Cuyahoga Falls, we all know how sweltering the summer months can be. And with Spring now in full swing and summer just around the corner, it’s time for us to provide you with the top tips you need to ensure your garage door stays in tip top shape as the warm summer months arrive. Now, you may be reading this thinking, “But is my garage door really in any danger during the summer?” After all, most of us check our HVAC, fridge, and other important cooling mechanisms during the summer, but why our garage door? The fact is, weather can damage your garage door.
Well, consider that this is about more than a hot garage door. It’s also about a hot garage, which can be very uncomfortable during the summer months. And this is even more true if you have converted your garage into a recreation space or are using it for storage. Do you have a permanent solution to cooling down your garage when the summer heat revs up?
Top Causes of a Sweltering Garage
The question is: why does your garage heat up? There are a number of reasons that could cause your garage to feel like a hot brick oven. First among them is if you have a windowless garage or limited ventilation in the garage. Garages without windows or adequate ventilation collect hot air rather quickly, especially on humid days. With no cross ventilation, there is no way for air to circulate through the windows and the garage heats up as a result.
Another top cause of garage warmth could be a lack of insulation. While many assume insulation is only needed for cold winter weather, it also plays a role in preventing hot summer air from getting into your garage. Normally, a weather seal fitted to your garage door helps to prevent weather-related damage or excessive heat. But if your seal is broken or you have no seal, you can expect intense heat to quickly seep into your garage. Don’t let broken or missing weatherstripping cause your garage to unbearably heat up.
The location of your garage could also be a big factor. Of course, you can’t exactly control the location of your garage, but as you try to discover the causes of extreme heat in your garage, if it is west or south-facing, there might be your answer. West or south facing garages receive an excessive amount of heat during the day and will remain hot deep into the night.
Permanent Solution to Keep Your Garage Cool
First, try natural ventilation. Natural ventilation is the cheapest and easiest garage cooling solution. To do this you need to add windows somewhere in your garage. If it is time to install a new garage door, consider one that includes windows in the design. Any extra expense that comes from windows will be recouped by the summer energy savings you’ll receive. You may also want to evaluate the possibility of building windows in to your garage walls. Depending on your home’s design, this may not be as difficult or expensive as you imagine.
Another way to encourage natural ventilation is through the use of roof and attic vents, which helps with passive ventilation. Roof and attic vents also allow air to circulate through the garage and keep it cooler. If there are no ridge vents in your roof you can install turbine roof vents to ensure you get proper circulation through your garage.
We talked about this a moment ago, but let’s revisit the importance of garage door insulation. Every garage needs to be insulated to prevent the buildup of heat inside. Insulation helps prevent extra heat from outside air from entering the garage and causing a precipitous rise in the temperature levels. Insulation keeps your inside temperature several degrees cooler simply because it acts as a reflective barrier against excessive heat infiltration.
A/C, Ceiling and Ventilation Fans to the Rescue
You use fans inside your house, so why not utilize them in your garage as well. Fans help you maintain a steady temperature in your garage. Keep in mind, however, that your garage ceiling height must be at least 10 feet. Why? Because you want to prevent the ceiling fan blades from hitting your car or car antenna. You can also invest in a couple exhaust or ventilation fans to ensure hot air is pushed out of the garage. You may also want to check out options like pedestal fans or a powered shop fan to keep air in the garage moving.
Or, you could go the high tech route and simply install an air conditioner! While this is the most costly option to cool your garage, if you’ve converted your garage into a rec room, office, or classroom, you will likely need air conditioning to keep it an acceptable temperature. Fortunately, cheap wall mounted air conditioners might be just what you need.
Finally, consider changing the color of your exterior walls. Dark colors absorb heat and add to the rising temperature in your garage. Try repainting the exterior walls to a lighter color. Here’s some additional options you may want to consider:
- Declutter your garage
- Cool your vehicle before parking
- Leave your door open at night (if it’s safe)
Are you a resident of Canton, Akron, or the surrounding areas dreading the return of summer and a sweltering garage? If so, it may be time to give your friends at Prestige Door a call. We’ll install an insulated garage door you can be proud of. Call us at 330-470-0594!