Most North Americans will experience an extremely cold garage this winter, it’s a given. The garage is usually an afterthought, falling victim to the climate. Some garage owners have taken to heating their storage areas. There are a list of benefits, and methods to do this.
Heat Your Garage with Radiant Electric Heat
Radiant heaters can be mounted on the wall of your garage, and come in a variety of voltages that should be able to keep every garage at least partially heated on those frigid winter days. This method is more for people that want to keep the area comfortable, and not freeze during their usage. The workshop models of our garages would also work well with a radiant heater, so if you need to work during the winter months you’re able to.
Heating You Don’t Want to Use
Some methods are actually not reccommended, as they are either impractical or even dangerous in some instances. Below is a list of several. There are definitely methods you wouldn’t want to use that go beyond this, but these are some of the most common.
- Propane, oil, or any type of kerosene. These are commonly found all across America, but when used in garages they are typically a bad idea. Some people will try to counteract the exhaust from these heaters by ventilating their garages. This may slow it in time, but it does not completely fix the issue of the harmful chemicals emitting from these types of heaters.
- Some people with metal garages in close proximity will attempt to heat their garage by using their existing heating ducts. The ducts extend from the home into the garage in a simple way, usually done by an outside contractor. This is one of the most dangerous methods available. It raises the level of carbon monoxide from your cars, fumes from whatever chemicals you may have stored in the garage, and general dust and uncleanliness throughout your home.
- Small portable heaters that run from electricity. Electric heaters are dangerous as well, because anything flammable will definitely catch on fire when next to these heaters. Using it all winter is also not efficient, it’s probably not strong enough to heat your whole home.
Purchase Our Insulation, and Add Spray Foam Insulation
One of the best ways to control the climate of your garage is to add insulation. We offer a vapor seal that will keep your building from sweating in the warmer months, and help to retain some heat. However, if you really want to insulate your building and make it easier to heat it’s best to fully insulate with spray foam from any local contractor in your area. Spray foam can typically be done in an afternoon, and is all you’ll need for a large amount of added control of the temperature of your building. Also, if you work in your garage, you’ll benefit from it in warmer months by running a fan or even a small air conditioner.
If you can’t afford that on top of your building cost, or other bills, wall insulation is more affordable and can keep your garage’s climate sustained as well. It all depends on what you can afford, and what you deem necessary for your building and it’s contents.
Garage Door Insulation
When insulating your garage walls and ceiling, don’t forget about your garage door. Generally, older garage doors lack any insulation features, which contributes to heat loss. Old garage doors may also not give your garage the best protection from the elements due to factors that come with age, such as warping and other kinds of damage.
Adding insulation to your existing garage door is one option. A more assured way of maximizing your garage door’s energy efficiency is to upgrade to a new garage door. The modern and stylish garage doors from our steel or wood garage door collections gives you plenty of insulation options.
A new floor coating makes melted ice and slush easier to handle
When you add heating to your garage you should also consider insulating your garage door. Our garage doors are incapable of being properly insulated, as they roll up into themselves. Eventually, the added thickness will prevent this mechanism for operating properly. If you wish to insulate your door you can find the dimensions of a garage door that can be insulated and we’ll cut out a frame for it on site. We can’t install the door, but you can yourself, or hire a contractor in order to do so.
During the winter, snow is obviously tracked everywhere. You can take precautions without purchasing a large amount of extra product, but coating your floor is a great way to prevent damage from road salt and other chemicals. You can mop those stains up instead of watching them grow larger and larger over the years. That is of course if you have a concrete installation pad, which we highly recommend.
Reorganize Your Garage For Airflow
Garages are for storing things, but those things can pile up in ways that prevent the airflow of your area. Inefficient air flow can cause the area to be improperly heated, and cause mildew or other issues to plague your property within. Reorganizing with some after market shelves, cabinets, or storage racks is a great way to make your garage look nicer inside, as well as keep your temperature uniform.
Consult With Professionals
Heat is an extension of fire, and fire can cause some serious issues if dealt with improperly. There are a myriad of professionals that will and can help you heat your garage. You should look for companies with experience and a good track record of jobs. Whenever you go with a professional you don’t run as many risks of accidents. An accident with a heater can be extremely unfortunate, and installation is something that can set in motion a series of unfortunate events.
With experience, someone that installs insulation on your garage door will know how to handle it without damaging the mechanism. If there is an electric remote, they’ll know to keep the weight low enough to not damage the motor. With experience, you don’t have to contend with property damage and hazards with your safety. When in doubt, you should definitely research the project, but leave it to a professional unless you’re well versed yourself. When it comes to garages, Steel Building Garages are professionals. We know what we’re doing, and have the experience and track record to keep doing it. call in today for a free consultation.