How to Keep Your Garage Cool in the Summer
Summer brings sunshine, salty breezes and high temperatures that can make your garage unbearably hot. Whether you use your garage for storage, hobbies or parking your car, it’s important to keep it cool to protect your belongings and maintain comfortable temperatures throughout your home. Plus, any time you spend in your garage can quickly become intolerable if it’s too hot.
Are you interested in knowing how to cool down your garage during the hot months? This guide explores practical tips to help you beat the heat and enjoy a cooler garage throughout the season.
Why Does Your Garage Get So Hot?
Several elements could be the reasons why your garage is so hot. The primary contributor is the hot, humid weather in summer. Direct sunlight can also heat up the interior and increase the temperature. The heat you feel in your garage is usually a result of poor insulation, which allows hot air to seep in. A lack of ventilation also traps the warm air inside, making your space feel hot and stuffy.
Understanding the cause behind the uncomfortable heat is crucial for figuring out the best way to cool your garage in summer.
Top Tips on How to Keep a Garage Cool in Summer
Even with the hottest temperatures, you can use several garage cooling solutions to maintain a comfortable space throughout the hot season. Here’s how to keep your garage cool in the summer:
Let Your Car Cool Down Outside
One of the easiest ways to lower the temperature in your garage is to park your car outside after using it. Vehicles retain heat from driving, which can contribute to the heat in your garage. You should leave your car outside in a shady spot to allow the engine to cool down before moving into the garage in the evening.
Keep Your Garage Organized
Organizing and decluttering your garage can make your space look great and help improve airflow. Boxes and other old junk can trap heat and prevent proper air flow, making your garage hot.
Consider getting rid of any items you no longer need. Store your belongings along the wall or install wall-mount cabinets to elevate them off the ground. Make sure that none of your items are blocking vents, windows or doors to maintain steady airflow.
Leave the Garage Open for a Few Hours
Another simple way to cool down your garage in summer is to open your garage doors and windows for a few hours when the weather is at its coolest. The best times would be early morning or the evening, but make sure to close them when the temperatures rise. Leaving your garage door open during those few hours allows fresh air to circulate naturally and cool your space.
Repaint Your Garage Door With Lighter Colors
The color of your garage door and your home’s exterior impacts the heat generated inside. Darker colors, especially black, absorb more heat than lighter shades. To reduce heat from the garage door, consider repainting it with lighter colored, reflective paint to reflect the sun’s rays away from your home.
Keep Your Garage Well-Sealed
Keeping your garage sealed is essential for eliminating drafts and ensuring cool, conditioned air doesn’t escape. Assess the windows and any other openings for cracks and seal them with the appropriate material to prevent air leaks. You should also consider installing sealant on your garage door, like weatherstripping or PVC molding, to keep out the heat and maintain a comfortable environment.
Add Exterior Shading
Adding exterior shading, such as awnings or strategically planted trees, can block direct sunlight from hitting your garage. Shading reduces heat absorption through walls and doors, keeping the interior cooler. In addition to keeping a garage cool in summer, exterior shade enhances curb appeal while lowering energy costs.
Improve Ventilation
Proper ventilation helps remove hot, stagnant air from your garage and replaces it with cooler outside air. To improve the ventilation in your space, consider the following options:
- Install a roof vent.
- Add ventilation or exhaust fans.
- Install a ceiling fan in the garage.
Using ventilation systems is also an excellent way to cool a garage with no windows. A properly ventilated garage has better airflow, which results in cooler temperatures and reduced humidity regardless of the weather outside.
Install Air Conditioning
Keeping your garage cool with an AC is ideal if you spend much time in the space, such as using it as a workshop or home gym. While this option offers ultimate comfort, it’s important to consider the added utility cost. Choose energy-efficient models like a ductless mini-split, which consumes 30% less energy than a traditional central AC system. If you want the best result, pair the AC with proper sealing and insulation to reduce energy loss.
Insulate Your Garage
Insulation helps block outdoor heat from entering your garage and increasing the temperature. If an AC is installed in your garage, insulation stops the conditioned air from escaping and helps your system run more efficiently. Consider insulating your garage’s walls, ceiling and doors to prevent heat transfer.
If your garage door is uninsulated or due for replacement, upgrade to an insulated door. Insulated garage doors use materials like polyurethane or polystyrene to create a thermal barrier. This upgrade will help regulate garage temperatures, improve energy efficiency, and reduce noise. You should hire experienced professionals for the installation to ensure a proper fit and reliable performance.
When to Call a Professional?
If your garage remains uncomfortably hot despite your efforts, or you notice issues like persistent drafts or poor insulation, it’s time to call a professional. Experts can assess your garage’s needs and recommend the best insulation or ventilation upgrades. They will also make sure the systems are correctly installed for optimal efficiency.
Professional help is essential for complex projects like installing insulated garage doors, advanced ventilation systems or addressing electrical concerns.
Choose A Better Door Co., Inc for Your Garage Cooling Needs
Keeping your garage door cool in summer can be as easy as leaving it open for a few hours or organizing your space. If you’ve tried all the DIY tips and tricks and still deal with hot temperatures, turn to the experts from A Better Door Co., Inc for professional assistance. As a trusted garage door company with decades of experience, we can provide expert solutions that make a difference.
Our team can keep your garage tightly sealed with our professional weather seal installation. If you want to upgrade to an insulated door, we offer and install a wide range of high-quality Clopay® garage doors with enhanced insulation technology and high R-values. Contact us and let our team help cool down your garage this summer.
