There are several problems with a garage that gets too hot in the summer.
Problem #1: The heat in an attached garage can actually start to raise the temperature in the rest of your home.
Problem #2: You’ll also find that storing belongings or your car in a hot garage can lead to faster deterioration, and in extreme temperatures, it can even cause melting or dry rot.
Problem #3: Finally, a hot garage area is a less usable and comfortable workspace.
If you want to keep the garage cool in the summer (and keep your belongings in pristine condition), here are the best ways to do that.
Option #1: Insulate Your Garage
Cost Rating: $$ (Moderate)
Project Duration: 1-3 days
Materials Required:
- Fiberglass batts (e.g., Owens Corning R-13 Kraft Faced Insulation Roll)
- Foam boards (e.g., DOW R-3 High-Density Polystyrene Foam Board Insulation)
- Spray foam (e.g., Great Stuff Pro Gaps and Cracks)
- Insulated garage door (e.g., Clopay Premium Series)
- Weatherstripping and door seals (e.g., M-D Building Products)
Notice we put this one at the top of the list. Insulating your garage is the first step to cooling it and is highly effective. Proper insulation helps maintain a consistent temperature by preventing heat transfer from the outside.
Add Insulation to Walls and Ceiling
Consider materials like fiberglass batts, foam boards, or spray foam when insulating. Each has its advantages, but the key is to ensure the insulation is properly installed to prevent any gaps that could let in heat.
To prevent mishaps like these, trust the professionals. But fair warning: professional garage insulation services will cost between $1000 and $10000, depending on the size of the garage.
Use an Insulated Garage Door
If you have an older garage door, heat can be getting in through the door and also around it. Consider an insulated garage door with a high R-value. You can also add insulation to the garage, but it won’t be as effective as an insulated door.
Seal Gaps and Cracks
It’s important to seal gaps and cracks around your garage doors, windows, and outlets to maintain energy efficiency and prevent drafts. Regular maintenance of door seals and weatherstripping can prevent this issue, ensuring that your garage remains as cool as possible.
Option #2: Improve Ventilation
Cost Rating: $ (Low Cost)
Project Duration: 4-8 hours
Materials Required:
- Exhaust fans (e.g., iLiving Wall-Mounted Exhaust Fan)
- Ridge vents (e.g., Air Vent Aluminum Ridge Vent)
- Turbine roof vents (e.g., Lomanco Whirlybird Turbine Ventilator)
- Box fans (e.g., Lasko 20″ Box Fan)
- Pedestal fans (e.g., Rowenta VU5670 Turbo Silence Fan)
- Ceiling fans (e.g., Hunter Builder Deluxe Indoor Ceiling Fan)
Proper ventilation is another key strategy for keeping your garage cool. It helps regulate temperature, prevent the buildup of hazardous gases, and reduce humidity.
The key here is airflow; improving the airflow will make the garage more comfortable.
Option #1: Install Vents or Exhaust Fans
Installing vents or exhaust fans is a practical way to improve air circulation in your garage. The goal of these vents is to remove the hot air and regulate the temperatures. The Air Vent Aluminum Ridge Vent is designed to work on the pak of your garage roof as it’s a great place for warm air to exit while fresh air flows in.
Option #2: Use Box Fans or Pedestal Fans
Box fans and pedestal fans are cost-effective and do a good job of moving air around your garage. Pedestal fans are a good option if you are going to be standing in the garage and want to stay cool while you work.
Option #3: Consider an Attic Fan
Many homebuilders install attic fans in garages because they do a great job of cooling the space. These fans draw out hot air from the upper areas of the garage and prevent heat from accumulating. For a cheap option, the Master Flow Attic fan works, and you can install it yourself if you have some DIY knowledge and experience.
Option #3: Utilize Reflective Surfaces
Cost Rating: $$ (Moderate)
Project Duration: 1-2 days
Materials Required:
- Reflective paint (e.g., Rust-Oleum Heat Reflective Paint)
- Reflective insulation panels (e.g., Reflectix BP24050 24-inch by 50-foot Bubble Pack Insulation)
Reflective surfaces are a smart way to reduce heat absorption and heat transfer in your garage. Sunlight is pushed away from the structure to help lower the internal temperature.
You can do this by using reflective paint on your garage doors and external walls or even by changing the color and choosing a lighter option for your paint. Rust-Oleum Heat Reflective Paint is a well-known product that lowers garage temperature. Some homeowners use it just on the garage door.
Use Reflective Insulation Panels
Reflective insulation can prevent sunlight from penetrating the garage’s interior. Most reflective insulation panels, like the Reflectix BP24050, come with a layer of aluminum foil that acts as a radiant barrier. The Reflectix is simple to use and doesn’t need to be professionally installed. This is a good one for an east-facing garage that gets sun all day long.
Option #4: Shade Your Garage
Cost Rating: $$ Moderate Cost
Project Duration: 1-2 days
Materials Required:
- Trees (e.g., Maple or Oak trees for natural shade)
- Awnings (e.g., ALEKO Retractable Patio Awning)
- Shade sails (e.g., Shade&Beyond Sun Shade Sail)
- Drawstring shades (e.g., Coolaroo Exterior Roller Shade)
On hot summer days, when you need a break from the sun, you may find yourself looking for some shade. The garage is no exception.
Planting deciduous trees with high-spreading crowns is a great way to achieve shade for a good portion of the year. Pro tip: Always ensure you plant the trees far enough from the garage that the roots don’t damage the foundation.
You may also want to consider installing an awning that allows you to customize the level of protection as the sun rises and sets.
Option #5: Use Cooling Devices
Cost Rating: $$ – $$$ (Moderate to High Cost)
Project Duration: 2-4 hours
Materials Required:
- Portable air conditioner (e.g., BLACK+DECKER BPACT08WT Portable Air Conditioner)
- Mini-split system (e.g., Pioneer Diamante Series Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioner)
If your garage is just too hot for ventilation and shade, you may need to consider air conditioners or a mini-split system.
The Black+Decker Portable Air Conditioner is an affordable yet effective option. These are incredibly easy to install, are not permanent fixtures, and can work well in a smaller garage to reduce garage temperature.
Be aware that a portable air conditioner needs to be vented outside so it doesn’t just recycle warm air. In addition, air conditioning in a garage is one of the more expensive garage cooling solutions. You may not get the temperature to be as cool as the inside of your house without seeing big changes in your heating and cooling bills.
For a large garage space or even a garage work zone, a mini-split system like the Pioneer Diamante Series Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioner can provide cool air and zone-specific temperature without having to deal with ductwork.
Some mini-split systems also offer both cooling and heating options, which are great if your garage’s temperature fluctuates during all four seasons.
Option #6: Manage Humidity
Cost Rating: $ Low Cost
Project Duration: 1-2 hours
Materials Required:
- Dehumidifier (e.g., Frigidaire 50-Pint Dehumidifier)
- Ventilation systems (e.g., iLiving Wall-Mounted Exhaust Fan)
If you live in the South, where humidity tends to be just as much of a problem in your garage as high temperatures, you may want to consider a dehumidifier or a ventilation system. One really important thing to remember about humidity is that it can cause mold growth.
Therefore, if you store anything from your boat, clothes, and RV in your garage, you’ll want to make some insulation improvements and run the dehumidifier to reduce moisture levels.
Dehumidifiers draw moist air across cooling coils, where the moisture is condensed and collected, either drained away or stored.
Summary
If you are worried about exposing your cars and belongings to heat-related damage in your garage, you’ll have to take these necessary steps to keep temperatures down. If you don’t want to deal with the process of remodeling and/or dehumidifying your garage, consider Neighbor, a peer-to-peer storage marketplace that lets you store your car or belongings in a climate-controlled space right in your own neighborhood. You’ll have protection from UV rays, a cool environment, and a storage bill that’s 50% lower than the competitors’.
