How Best to Protect Your Garage from Extreme Weather
Does your garage double as a workshop, office, or spare room? When your garage exists for more than just storing your vehicle, then an insulated garage door is essential. When your garage is insulated properly, you’ll enjoy optimized thermal efficiency with maximized air infiltration reduction. Regardless of what the weather is outdoors, a well-insulated garage using the right sealant gives you a viable garage space year round, making you comfortable and providing the greatest level of efficiency, so you’ll benefit from significant energy savings. You’ll keep as much cold out as possible during winter, and as much heat out as possible during summer.
Garage door sealant is for guarding against moisture, snow, and colder weather in general. Dry rot can be a culprit, too. Often the bottom weather seal is the one you’ll need to replace. There are several different sizes, so you’ll need an inspection to determine the correct kind for your garage door. The vinyl top and side seals also break down over the years. These come in many colors to match the kind of garage door you have.
If you observe any damage, feel air coming in, or light coming through anywhere, it’s time for new garage door sealants. Also called weather seals, they’re obviously for the four edges of the garage door, and also referred to as weatherstripping. To be most effective, they must fit your garage door perfectly.
Not only do weather seals protect your garage door from extreme temperatures, they also keep out insects and other small creatures. When there are any gaps on the garage door, vermin or even neighborhood pets can sneak inside your garage, and may not be able to get out. Prevent this from happening with top-of-the-line bottom weather seals. Various types include: triple contact, T-shape, P-shape, and bulb shape. You’ll also stop dust and fumes from getting inside. Brush seals have bristles, which substantially help reduce dust particles from staying on the garage door. To avert water from coming in when it rains, be sure there aren’t any gaps at the bottom of the garage door. Prevent moisture and cold air from penetrating the garage with a trustworthy garage door weather seal. An optimal sealant is the threshold seal, made of hard rubber. The correct weather sealant for your property will also be a good barrier to keep out debris and always maintain a smooth garage door pathway.
There are so many different choices, depending on your property; the garage’s uses; the garage door; and your budget, taste, and particular requirements. For most folks, insulating the garage yourself is too intimidating. If it’s an overwhelming task, hire an expert to do the installation for you. If you’re anywhere in Welby, Colorado, choose a reputable staff mobile professional from a reliable garage door company, such as Welby Garage Door Repair.
Cold Weather Protection
Even if the temperature drops to below freezing, if you have winterized your garage, you will save a great deal of time and money.
Insulate your garage. If your garage gets too cold, it can damage not only your car, but also anything you have in storage there. Do you keep your washer and dryer in the garage? If you have a washing machine with water left in the pump or the lines, it can freeze and crack. The same risk is possible with your vehicle’s fuel gels, which can freeze inside the engine. Another possible issue is that paint can separate and get ruined in prolonged periods of freezing temperatures.
Insulate the garage door. A variety of products is available for garage door insulation, including a kit designed to do so. The options for effective insulation include foam board, reflective barriers, and Fiberglass batt insulation. Whatever you choose, first you’ll have to cut the insulation to fill the garage door panels. Secure them with adhesive and make sure each remains in place. If your garage door isn’t the type with recessed panels, the project will be easier.
Insulate the garage walls. Proper garage insulation installation requires that you carefully study the installation guide so you can be sure you select the appropriate insulation thickness for your garage’s walls. Some typical mistakes people make are: cutting the batt insulation too long or too short for the location, not securely fastening it, or not supporting it properly. Keep in mind that insulation must fit snugly; however, don’t jam it in too tightly.
Hot Weather Protection
In the summer, the main goal is to enhance the airflow in your garage. Consider these measures:
Wall insulation efficiently keeps out summer heat. Paneling or wallboard should be used to encapsulate the material. You’ll prevent pets, toddlers, and teenagers from tearing things out.
Insulate the garage ceiling. With paper-backed batt insulation, ceiling wallboard isn’t required. Install the insulation with staples, paper side down, or keep it anchored with netting. You can also use staples to fasten the netting. Experts say to do both.
Insulate the garage overhead door. For a metal garage door, add a layer of rigid insulation 2" thick, attached to each panel’s inside with contact cement. Or, an insulated sectional overhead door is a workable alternative.
Plant a tree nearby. A hardwood or deciduous tree is an aesthetic and economical way to cool down your garage. (It keeps the garage warm during winter, too.) Plant your tree between the position of the sun during the hottest part of the day and the garage. The leaves will provide shade. (In winter, the bare branches will allow sunlight through, supplying warmth.)
An adjustable rollaway awning attached to the sunny side of the garage will create shade to cool things off.
A stationary vent on the roof is a low-cost way to create an exit point for hot air trapped in your garage attic. Or, if you can afford more, install a mechanical exhaust system, in which fans will draw cooler air from the garage into the attic. You’ll cool the attic and also the space below.