Sunday, December 9, 2018


How to Help Keep Your Garage Warm in the Winter

 During the winter, your garage becomes one of the coldest places in your house.  Whether you also use your garage for storage or a workspace, you can’t get fully comfortable until you can properly heat your garage in winter.  Household garages are high-traffic areas, with many family members passing through to collect bikes, perform DIY projects and access their vehicles. But wintry weather can make these experiences less than enjoyable by turning your garage into a bitterly cold area that you will want to avoid at all costs. Not only that, but the harsh temperatures can potentially cause damage to equipment stored in this space. Stay toasty and warm throughout the chilly season with Garage Heating 101 – our tips to keep your garage warm this winter:

Install a Garage Heater

An obvious choice for warming up a space is to install a heater. The decision you need to make is whether to opt for gas or electric, both of which have their pros and cons. Gas heaters are cheaper but require a gas supply and exhaust venting. Electric heaters are pricier but boast an easier installation.
To guarantee a safe fitting, heaters are best installed by a trained professional, who can also advise as to what model could suit your garage best. But beware; heaters are a wasted addition if your garage is not kitted out with decent insulation, as the heat energy will simply conduct through the walls and floor and disappear.  We have many articles on our Pinterest page to help with this task.

Insulate the Garage Door

Simply put, heat conducts through solid surfaces and this includes your garage door. By fitting your garage door with insulating materials is a great way to help the heat stay in your garage. A variety of materials are available for this purpose, including foam boards and fiberglass batt insulation. Whatever materials you choose, make sure that it’s applied with a snug and secure fit. We have many articles on our Pinterest page to help with this simple DIY task.

Insulate the Garage Walls

Don’t just insulate your door and neglect your walls. This huge surface area is capable of conducting energy, letting it escape from your garage and making temperatures inside plummet to uncomfortable levels. Treating your walls to some insulation can work wonders in raising the temperature, especially when combined with the presence of a heater. There are a few insulation options available to homeowners; a trusted professional should be able to help you with your selection if you’re unsure.
You should also take note that insulation is only effective if it’s installed snugly and securely.  We have many articles on our Pinterest page to help with this DIY task. 

Repair Or Replace the Weatherstripping and Threshold

Insulate your garage against draughts by repairing or replacing your garage’s weatherstripping and bottom seal or threshold. Both of  create a seal between the garage and the garage door opening, keeping it weather-tight. Over time, these valuable components can become cracked and shrink,  allowing cold air to escape through. Replacement can help insulate your garage from not only cold air but also water and other debris that make come in underneath the garage door.  Star Door Parts sells a variety of garage door threshold for all types and sizes of garage doors.  We also have provided several DIY How To articles on our webpage and Pinterest page to show you step by step how to easily and quickly tackle this job.

Consider Caulking

Surface gaps and cracks occur over time and are one of the biggest losses of energy efficiency. Caulking means using a proper caulk or sealant and application gun to fill in any gaps and cracks around windows, garage doors, moldings and other areas where gaps can appear. As a rule of thumb, caulk any area where two dissimilar materials meet (e.g., brick and wood, siding and wood, stucco and wood, etc.). Before caulking, be sure to clean the area and make sure it’s dry to prevent moisture from being sealed in.  You can use silicone caulk for many years of reliable performance.