How to Keep Your Garage Cool in the Summer

Many homeowners enjoy spending time in their garages working on home improvement projects or exercising in a home gym. A garage is an excellent place for various activities and uses, but when the interior gets overwhelmingly hot, you’d likely rather be any other place than inside. The high temperatures can turn your garage into an underutilized storage space rather than an environment where you want to spend time.

The good news is that there are ways to improve the temperature inside your garage and make it a comfortable space to work in. Continue reading for tips on how to cool a garage and make it a livable space.

1. Open the Garage Door

It may seem simple, but the best way to cool a garage is by opening the door. A breeze can flow through once the door is open, replacing the hot, stuffy air with cooler air. If you have windows in your garage, you should open these simultaneously to create a cross breeze. The increased airflow will allow hot air to escape, making the interior more comfortable to work inside.

When you open your garage door and windows, stay nearby. If you’re working inside your garage with the door open, close the door once you go back inside or leave your home. This way, you can ensure all of your belongings stay safe.

2. Declutter Your Garage

Many people don’t consider how the items they store in their garage can contribute to the temperature inside. A garage full of boxes and other items can increase the temperature by retaining heat and preventing airflow. The more items you have inside, the warmer it’ll feel and the worse the air quality will be.

Even when you open the door or open your windows, air can have difficulty escaping with all of the boxes, bins and other items in the way. This is especially true if you’ve piled your belongings in front of windows or doors.

You can prevent this by taking an afternoon to declutter your garage. Consider what items you genuinely need and dedicate a space for them in your garage. If you don’t need these items in your garage, you can move them to an attic, basement or storage facility.

Once you’ve decided what will stay, add storage spaces for these items. You can install shelving units and overhead storage to get boxes off the floors and tools on the wall. The dedicated storage spaces will help keep the floor clean and tidy, allowing air to flow through and cool your garage.

3. Install a Ceiling Fan

When working in your garage, you don’t want to be trapped inside a hot and stuffy space. Installing a ceiling fan can be a cost-effective and straightforward solution to help move air around the room. It’ll help keep you cool while working inside.

If you choose to install a ceiling fan, you’ll want to pick one that’s industrial strength. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that you can only install ceiling fans in garages that are 8 feet in height. The blade will work best when they’re 7-9 feet off the ground, providing the best potential for cooling.

If you can’t install a ceiling fan, you can look into a portable air conditioner or an oscillating fan. If you have windows in your garage, you can use a window fan to draw air from outside into your garage and expel the hot air from inside. Sometimes, a hot garage can be caused by high humidity — combat this by purchasing a dehumidifier, which will help maintain climate control and make it easier for the temperature to drop.

Regardless of which option you choose, the important thing is that you’re circulating air in your garage. A consistent airflow will help decrease the temperature and make the space more comfortable.

4. Utilize and Improve Insulation

Insulation plays a big part in your home’s temperature control, and your garage is no exception. Properly installed insulation will prevent heat from building up in the first place and keep cool air from escaping. Check the insulation in exterior walls, as these are most likely to be exposed to the most heat, heating the air inside more quickly.

If your exterior walls are already complete and have drywall in place, you can use blow insulation to fill in any potential gaps. Otherwise, you can look into your preferred form or insulation. You can also replace your garage door with an insulated garage door to better keep heat from seeping in and cool air from escaping. If you have windows or doors leading outside, you can use weather stripping or caulk to seal any air gaps that let warm air inside.

Properly installed insulation and an insulated garage door can help keep your garage warm and comfortable. Insulation will also lower your energy bills and improve your home’s resale value.

5. Park Vehicles Outside

Did you know that parking your garage in your garage as soon as you get home could be contributing to the level of heat inside your garage? While it may be tempting to pull straight into your garage and park your car, it’s best to wait until the heat coming from your vehicle has cooled, especially if you plan on using your garage as soon as you get home.

Once you’ve given your car adequate time to cool off, you can park your car in your garage for your safety and convenience. Parking your car in the shade is the best way to cool your vehicle, and you’ll be able to park your car in your garage within an hour or two.

However, if your driveway gets a lot of sunlight and there’s no place for you to park in the shade, your best bet will be to park in the garage and leave the garage door open until the car is cooled off.

Let Door Pros Help Cool Your Garage

When you invest in a home, you want to be able to use every room in the house, including your garage. However, heat buildup can prevent you from wanting to spend any time in there, making your garage a glorified storage container. Door Pros is here to help residents in California make their garage a livable environment again.

We offer some of the best garage doors that can help you insulate the inside of your garage while providing high-quality customer service with around-the-clock availability. We have a wide variety of residential garage door services, including installation and repairs.

Request an estimate from Door Pros today to learn how we can help you make the most of your garage space.