You might want to crack your garage door in the summer to release some heat but is it safe or even effective? Garage Door Guy is here to help you find out how to cool your garage during the dog days of summer.
Should you crack your garage door in the summer?
During the hot summer months you may be tempted to crack your garage door or even fully open it to allow hot air to escape. However, leaving your garage open and unattended is a bad idea. It’s one thing if you’re in or near the garage but having it open and unattended is a safety hazard and can even put strain on the door.
5 reasons to not crack your garage door
- Added theft risk – Your garage likely has valuable items thieves would love to get their hands on. If your garage has a door leading into your home, they may even try to get into your home via your garage especially since they have a little more cover.
- Pest invasion – Leaving your garage door open can allow pests or wild animals to enter causing damage or potential harm.
- Damage to garage door – Leaving your garage door partially open actually places increased stress on the door, possibly shortening its lifespan.
- Invaders could reprogram garage door opener – It only takes a moment for an invader to reprogram your garage door opener to allow them access to your garage when you’re away.
- Rain could get in – If you get into the habit of leaving your door partially open, there could come a day where it rains and water could get inside your garage and damage the contents of your garage.
How to keep your garage cool
Cracking your garage door a little might help release some heat from your garage but it’s not very effective. Instead, try these four methods to cool down your garage:
- Insulate your garage door – Garage door insulation is sold in foam sheets or kits that can be found at home improvement stores. They’re affordable, easy to install, and can reduce heat transfer by as much as 97!
- Choose light paint colors for your garage – Dark colors absorb heat whereas light colors reflect heat from the sun. You can reduce the temperature inside your garage by repainting a lighter color.
- Add fans or install portable air conditioning – Before adding a fan or portable air conditioning, make sure your garage gets enough power and the wiring can handle the extra load. If you have windows, place fans near them so they can push hot air out of them. If your garage doesn’t have windows or doors, you can always fully open your garage and have an exhaust fan blow out all the hot air before you use your garage.
- Inspect or install garage door seals – You can install an air conditioner but if your weather stripping (garage door seal) is cracked or missing, you’re letting cold air out and hot air in. Keep your weather stripping in good condition to better insulate your garage from the weather.
Time for a garage door upgrade? Consider insulated doors.
Instead of always having to crack your garage door, you may want to consider a new insulated garage door from Garage Door Guy. They offer better temperature control, energy savings, reduced outside noise, increased durability, and better resale value.
Insulated garage doors can reduce your heating and cooling costs by as much as 20%, so you’ll be able to recoup some of the costs of installation! We offer a wide range of insulated garage doors in many styles, colors, and options so you’re sure to find the perfect match for your home.
