August 31, 2018

Can You Cool a Garage in the Summer?

Cool a garage

Do you see your garage as a room in your home? Most of us don't and it is why it is the most neglected space in most residences. This, however, is odd when you consider how many of us complain about a lack of space for hobbies, fitness, kids to play and so on. That's why so many people have only recently turned garage spaces into rooms as wide ranging as pottery studios, man caves, family rooms and more. Yet, in many areas, the summer season makes the garage a space far too hot and humid to use and enjoy.

Additionally, the summer's heat and humidity promote rust and mildew, ruining many items we keep in such spaces. The good news is that you can start to convert even the muggiest garage into a summertime escape.

Step One: Get yourself a well‑insulated and weather tight garage door

Most of us think it might be insulation that causes the problem, but the truth is that the garage door is probably the guilty culprit. For the past decade, or so, though, garage door makes have been producing models with efficient, high‑performing components to optimize energy savings and climate controls.

If you want to turn the garage into a comfortable living space during the summer, choose a garage door with polyurethane foam insulation that completely fills the door. This is like adding a fourth wall of insulation to the garage. If you also purchase a garage without any thermal bridges that let heat pass inside or cold air escape, it improves the interior comfort levels. It also helps to keep the home more comfortable as hot and humid air also passes inside of the open and reduces the efficiency of your home's heating or cooling.

And it is often a surprise that by simply installing a superior quality garage door, you’ll save in air conditioning costs for your home, and you don't even have to use air conditioning in the garage itself.

Step Two: Consider the use a dehumidifier

Humidity makes heat feel even worse and allows things like rust and humidity to develop. You can figure out if your garage is overly humid by using a hygrometer and being sure it never exceeds 45 to 50%. If it does, it is time to install a dehumidifier that can get the figures back in balance; making things both cooler and healthier, in general.

Step Three: Add ventilation and/or air conditioning

If you wish to use the garage as another living space, and want it to remain comfortable, you must combat heat and humidity. You can do this by venting the central air conditioning system into the garage (simply installing duct work that allows cooled air to be pumped inside). Not only can you get the air cooler, but the treated air is drier, meaning humidity is reduced. You can also install a simple ventilation system that allows any hot and humid air to be pumped outside.

Begin with that high‑performance garage door

Of course, if you want any cooled and dehumidified air to remain inside, it has to start with that superior, well‑insulated and weather tight garage door. Contact us at 905‑569‑9133 for a quotation or to discuss the options available. We have a real world showroom or an online Design Centre to help you choose the style of garage door that appeals to you. Feel free to peruse our image gallery for inspiration and ideas.

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