How to Keep Your Garage Cool in the Summer

Texas is hot. There is no other way to describe it, especially in the summer months. While Texas isn’t the hottest state in the U.S., it often does make it on the top five list, generally surrounded by New Mexico, Arizona and Florida. Houses in these areas are usually built with heat in mind. They have insulated walls, ventilation in the roof to let hot air escape and air conditioners to cool the air inside. However, very few garages have any of these features, making them more susceptible to changes in the weather.

The garage is often the hottest room in the house, especially if you don’t have a room over the garage. Thankfully, you can use several different methods to reduce the temperature in your garage. With a cool garage space, you’ll be more comfortable, and you may be able to reduce your overall energy use. Additionally, you could convert the space into a workshop or store items that could be heat-sensitive once your garage is cooler.

Why Is My Garage Hot?

Several factors contribute to the excessive heat build-up in garages, turning them into sweltering places. Unlike the rest of the house, most garages were not built with temperature control in mind. The lack of insulation means they can’t keep the cool air in, and a lack of airflow means temperatures keep rising. In summer, the scorching heat easily penetrates the walls and roof with no means of getting out.

In addition to the warm weather, people often store heat-generating items in their garages. For example, if your car was running or sitting out in the sun, it’s now releasing heat, which raises the garage’s temperature. Similarly, a lot of homeowners also keep heat-generating appliances in the garage, such as freezers, washing machines and dryers.

You can manage some of these factors with simple changes, while others may require more complex renovations and hiring professionals.

How Do You Cool a Garage in Texas in the Summer?

There are several effective ways to achieve a cooler garage. How much you want to drop on the thermostat will determine which option you choose. You can also implement multiple methods for a more effective solution. Here’s how to cool your garage:

• Insulate the garage: Insulation can make a huge difference, but it is one of the bigger jobs. It may also reduce the size of your garage, as it adds extra padding to the walls. But if you want to drop the temperature significantly, insulating will definitely help. You can use foam boards or fiberglass on the walls. Sometimes, you can find an insulating kit to get you started.
• Install garage venting: Cool air hangs low, and hot air rises. To ensure the hot air doesn’t get trapped in your garage, give it a place to get out. You can install vents in the walls and the roof. Try to place them so you can create a cross breeze that allows the hot air to escape more easily. If your garage has windows, open them up to improve circulation when you’re in the garage.
• Cool vehicles before parking: When you drive, your engine creates a large amount of heat. If you park it in the garage immediately, that heat will transfer into your space. Instead, park it outside in a shaded spot and let the engine cool down before moving the car inside the garage. Any place with shade will do, such as from a building or a tree. If you don’t have any shade, consider purchasing a car cover with reflective fabric.
• Install weather stripping: Seal gaps around the garage door and windows using weather stripping. You can get weather stripping in rubber, foam and felt, depending on where you need to place it. The most common place to install it is on the bottom and sides of your garage door. However, you can also put it around the windows, doors leading to the house and anywhere else you need to seal.
• Install air conditioning: Installing an air conditioner may seem drastic, but it doesn’t need to require a major renovation. A window air conditioner is a cost-effective and straightforward option if your garage has windows that open. If you have central air conditioning already, you may be able to extend it into the garage. A mini-split system is very quiet and works incredibly well.
• Install a ceiling fan: This is less drastic than installing an air conditioner but can still yield good results, especially when combined with adequate ventilation. A ceiling fan circulates the air, giving the space a breeze and making the garage feel cooler. Just ensure your garage has a high enough ceiling. The fan should be at least 7 feet from the floor for safety. You also need to ensure there is space for your garage door to open.
• Paint your garage: A reflective, light-colored paint on the exterior of your garage can help reflect sunlight and reduce heat absorption. White or off-white are the top choices. While any light paint will reflect more heat than a dark color, you can also ask your local paint shop about specific paints designed to be reflective.

Get Your Garage Door With Viking Overhead

We have a large selection of garage doors that will work flawlessly and make your garage attractive again. If cooling and heat resistance are on your mind, we have several options. Each door has an R-value rating, which measures its ability to restrict heat flow. A door with no insulation would have an R-value close to 0. A door with a high R-value can help you keep the cool in and the heat out.

Whether you’re looking for a classic raised-panel garage door, a sleek modern door or a traditional carriage house style, all doors from Clopay are available with insulation. For example, consider the Canyon Ridge® Modern range. Each door in this series includes Intellicore® insulation technology. The doors have a four-layer construction, including 2 inches of polyurethane insulation. These doors can have an R-value from 6.3 to 20.4, depending on which options you choose. Canyon Ridge® Modern doors also have a WINDCODE® door reinforcement option for areas with high-wind load applications. 

Want to know more? Contact us directly or book online to view our latest collection.