Beat the Heat: 6 Garage Cooling Solutions
Few people bother to cool their garages. But on 100°F+ days in Las Vegas, the air temperature inside can get so hot the space is practically useless. West facing garages, darker garage door colors, and the heat from a vehicle can exacerbate the problem. But there are ways to beat the heat, especially if you use your garage as a workshop or other functional space. Why Do I Need to Cool My Garage? Your garage can be 10°F to 18°F warmer than it is outside. In the summer, this can make it hard to work on a vehicle or exercise, and limits the amount of comfortable workspace in your home. When you park your car, heat radiating from it can add several more degrees to the temperature inside your garage. Your garage may be usable only during certain times of the day, like the early morning. How to Beat the Heat 1. Ventilation Fans If you just want something basic that will keep air moving, a ventilation fan in your garage may be sufficient. Moving air around can help reduce the temperature in your garage, and if you use chemicals, it can be a good idea to keep air circulating. Most of the time, however, fans will generate airflow to make it more comfortable rather than lower actual air temperature. A simple oscillating fan is suited for small rooms, while high-power shop fans may be needed for larger garages. If your garage has no windows, a ceiling fan can provide relief from the heat. You can also use more than one fan. Aiming one at a window or open garage door can blow hot air outside. Direct a second fan toward your work area for a refreshing breeze. 2. Add a Ventilation System Passive ventilation dissipates heat from your garage through the roof, via a type of spinning turbine. An active ventilation system removes hot air mechanically. It is more complex, and therefore pricier, but can be installed on the roof or within your garage’s walls. Active systems also use a lot of electricity so consider utility costs and the capacity of your electrical circuits. 3. Portable AC Units There are ductless air conditioning systems that can be installed in your garage and keep it just as cool as the inside of your home. The great thing about ductless units is that they’re standalone air conditioning systems. Despite being more costly than fans, these systems are more effective at lowering indoor temperatures. You don’t have to run air ducts to your garage, and the lines for coolant and power can easily be run with a minimum of installation work. Portable ACs are very energy efficient, and if you’re cooling your garage, it can cut down on the heat that seeps into your home from your there. Even a window-mounted air conditioner can be very effective. 4. Insulated Garage Doors If you use your garage as a workshop and you’re using a portable air conditioning system, you may want to consider insulated garage doors in Las Vegas. So long as you’re not working with chemicals or something that creates dangerous fumes, you may want to keep the cool air inside by shutting your garage door while you work. If you don’t have an insulated garage door, the cool air may escape easily while the heat goes through your garage door. That can drive up the cost of cooling your garage. With an insulated door, you can ensure heat from outside doesn’t increase the temperature in your garage. When selecting a garage door, consider the material. Wood provides more insulation but even steel or aluminum doors can be layered with core insulating materials. Installing insulation on the inside of metal garage doors and to the walls and ceiling is beneficial. You can also add weatherstripping and silicone caulk to the frames of windows and doors. 5. Add Some Shade A rollaway awning on the side of your garage facing the sun provides cooling shade. In the winter, it can allow more sunlight to warm things up. Also, pick a location to plant a tree, ideally between the garage and where the sun is during the mid- to late-afternoon. Leafy hardwood trees like Oak, Ash, and Walnut are well-suited for this purpose. 6. Clean Up the Clutter Throwing away unnecessary items and organizing your garage can improve airflow and air quality. If air can flow more freely, the temperature may feel cooler and your cooling systems will be more effective. A cabinet or overhead storage system can help with organization, which lets you get more use out of your garage. Call Precision Door Service of Las Vegas Our knowledgeable technicians can help determine how to cool down your garage, especially when it comes to efficient, insulated garage doors and materials. Serving Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, and other Nevada cities, we provide all types of garage door and garage door opener service. Our live operators are standing by 24/7. Call 702-637-2700 for information or to schedule a visit.
Is a Carriage House Garage Door Right for My Home?
Garage doors have evolved throughout the centuries, with the earliest garage doors dating back thousands of years. Carriage house garage doors are considered the original garage door, which featured two separate doors that swing outward from the middle. Because the original carriage-style garage doors had difficulty opening due to being blocked by ice and snow, in 1921 the first overhead garage door was invented. With new garage door innovations in place, the carriage garage doors of today continue to hold on to their old-world charm without the hassles of their dated design. Let’s take a moment to pay homage to carriage doors and help you figure out if this style of garage door can complement your home in both form and function. What is a Carriage House Garage Door? Carriage house garage doors are exactly as the name sounds. Even before the creation of the automobile, carriage house doors were originally created to safely house a horse and buggy on large estates. Much like a barn or guest cottage, these small houses featured wide, large swinging wooden doors for carriages to easily enter and were mostly for the elite. Thankfully, the days of horse and carriage transportation are well behind us. But the style, look, and feel of carriage garage doors has been re-imagined to outfit the newer homes of today. Different Carriage Garage Door Materials The garage doors of today come in a wide range of materials, configurations, and finishes. The same goes for the modern version of carriage-style garage doors. You’ll want to consider what material will best compliment the look and style of your property. Cloplay, one of the leading garage door manufacturers, make carriage house garage doors to suit a variety of tastes. Wood Carriage Garage Doors – Authentic handcrafted wood carriage house garage doors are insulated to provide beauty, energy efficiency, and strength. Custom designs and a variety of wood choices are available. Steel Carriage Garage Doors – Authentic carriage house style garage doors constructed with durable insulated steel and composite overlays provide a popular style at a great value. Faux Wood – Faux wood carriage house garage doors combine the beauty and texture of natural wood with the energy efficiency of an insulated steel door. What Style of Home Looks Best With a Carriage Style Garage Door? Top garage door manufacturers have spent countless hours of time and energy in crafting carriage garage doors to suit a variety of exteriors and design aesthetics. Is the design of your home an ideal match for a new carriage garage door installation? Tudor – Outfit your Tudor style home with a carriage style garage door to accentuate the pitched roofs and uniquely shaped windows. You can even work with your garage door company to get a custom design so that it fits in effortlessly with the rest of the exterior. Craftsman & Bungalows – Installing a typical garage door on the timeless and hip architectural features of a Craftsman or Bungalow would completely take away from the overall look and style of the exterior. Opting to install a carriage house style garage door would add curb appeal and increase the value of your home. Spanish Colonial & Mediterranean Homes – The heavy irons and woods that detail Spanish Colonial and Mediterranean homes are an ideal accompaniment to a carriage style garage door. Victorian – Victorian homes are arguably the perfect fit for a carriage house garage door. These homes were built when horse and buggies were still being used. The detailed woodwork and design will create the perfect frame for this style of garage door. Carriage House Garage Doors Should Be Installed by a Professional Precision Garage Door Las Vegas is taking steps to follow CDC guidelines to the exact letter in regards to COVID-19. We are enacting added safety precautions to ensure our customers and their home environments are left undisturbed. This includes outfitting our garage door technicians in safety masks, gloves, and sterilization products. If you need garage door replacement or installation, you can rest easy knowing that Precision Door Las Vegas can get the job done efficiently, professionally, and safely. Precision Garage Door Las Vegas has experienced technicians that can be at your home in under two hours to install, replace and repair your garage door and all of its components. This includes doing a full garage door tune-up on springs, rollers, and garage door opener motors and parts. Our garage door experts have all of the equipment right in their Precision service truck so there is a quick turnaround time from the moment we arrive. We are here to serve you! For assistance installing a new carriage house garage door or if you’re looking to replace your old garage door, use our interactive Garage Door Designer or contact us directly at 702.637.2700. Our garage door installation experts can answer your questions or schedule a free in-home estimate.
How Insulated Garage Doors Help in Extreme Weather
Garage door insulation can have far-reaching benefits, whether it’s hot or cold outside. Insulation provides a thermal boundary. It can maintain conditioned indoor air, which is beneficial whether you have an attached garage and rooms adjacent to the garage space, or a detached garage where a variety of activities may take place inside. Insulation has long been known to improve energy efficiency. Although construction standards don’t completely address air leakage in garage spaces, insulated garage doors can benefit you during any season, for the following reasons: Make the Garage Suitable as an Indoor Workspace Insulation keeps in cooled air; it can also raise the indoor temperature over 20°F compared to outside. This can mean the difference between a chilly room and one comfortable to work in. Homeowners use their garages for everything from DIY workshops to complete home offices. Garage door insulation can keep out blistering heat and freezing cold, so you can work more comfortably and productively. A Cold Garage Can Transfer Cold Air to Adjacent Rooms Cold air can seep in through gaps in the garage door. It can also transfer through walls to rooms next to the garage. If your thermostat is set to a comfortable temperature, your HVAC system will have to work harder to maintain that setting. You might have a hard time achieving any comfort. This scenario not only wastes energy; it also strains your heating system to the point it can break down much sooner than expected, meaning you’ll have to pay to fix or replace it potentially years earlier than necessary. At the very least, you’ll likely have higher energy bills. Your Car Is Protected in Freezing Weather Freezing conditions can shorten car battery life, lower air pressure in tires, and cause engine, transmission, and brake fluids to thicken. Spark plugs and wiring can be negatively affected as well. An insulated garage door can therefore help your car run more reliably. Extreme heat can be a problem as well, as it can damage tires and batteries and shorten the life of engine oil and coolant. Also, fuel evaporates faster in high heat, so an insulated garage can contribute to improved fuel economy. Your Storage Is Better Protected Whether you store paint, oil, or even food or beverage products in your garage, protecting them from temperature extremes can keep them viable. A garage is a convenient place to store utility items. Paints, oils, and, other goods have recommended storage temperatures to maintain their quality. If you store perishable food items, improper temperatures will lead to spoilage, so you could be wasting them without knowing it. Tools and Equipment Can Last Longer Car batteries work best in temperatures between 30 and 90°F. Temperature extremes affect other mechanical components as well. If liquids in a lawnmower or power washer freeze, the equipment can be damaged beyond repair. Components in power tools can be affected by extreme temperatures as well. In-Garage Refrigerators Can Work More Efficiently Refrigerators are typically designed to operate in a moderate temperature environment. In extremely hot conditions, a refrigerator will require more effort to keep things cold, which can wear out critical components such as the compressor. Freezing outside temperatures can cause the refrigerator to reduce its workload to the point the freezer thaws out. Moderate temperatures enable the appliance to work more efficiently. If you’re thinking of adding insulation to your garage door or are interested in an upgrade or new garage door installation, contact Precision Door Service of Las Vegas at 877-301-7474 today.
How to Make Your Garage Door “Green” [Infographic]
Most homeowners are always looking for new ways to reduce their energy usage and save money. Your garage door can let hot or cold air into the building. If you want to make it more energy efficient, here are a few ideas.
Why You Should Make Sure That the Seal on Your Garage Door Is Intact
The seals and weatherstripping on a garage door help to protect the door from impacts. They also help to prevent unwanted air exchange between the garage and the outdoors, which is why it is important to check the seals for damage and replace them as needed. The Types of Seals and Weatherstripping for Your Garage Door Garage doors are sealed on all four sides in order to protect the door from impacts and vibrations. The seals also function to stop dirt, dust, wind and air from damaging the items that are stored inside of your garage. During your next garage installation in Las Vegas, make sure that the seals and weatherstripping are included on your new garage door. Weatherstripping Weatherstripping is also known as a weather seal. It is installed on all four sides of your garage door. Its purpose is to keep out the wind and moisture. It also functions to prevent unwanted air exchange with the outdoors. A tightly fitting weather seal can also help to keep insects and other critters out of your garage. PVC Stop Molding PVC stop molding is installed onto wooden garage doors. It is nailed right into the wood in order to form a seal on the sides and top of the garage door. The flexible plastic helps to protect the edges of the wood from vibration and impacts. It also seals the edges against moisture and insect damage. When your garage door is closed, the PVC stop molding ensures that the sides and top of the door are flush with the door’s frame. Bottom Seals There are several types of bottom seals that you can consider for the bottom of the garage door. One type is a simple bottom rubberized seal that helps the door to sit flush with the concrete floor of the garage. Bottom seal retainers can also be installed onto your garage door. These retainers allow you to swap out different materials such as vinyl, rubber and brush style of seals. These various types of seals are used during different seasons of the year to protect your garage.
Keeping Your Garage Warm During the Cold Months
When your garage gets cold during the winter, the rest of your house gets cold too. Here’s how to keep your garage warmer this winter. How to Make Your Garage More Energy Efficient This Winter When the temperature outside starts to drop, it’s important that you keep your garage warm. If your garage is cold, it keeps the rest of your house cold. In turn, this makes your HVAC system work overtime. Before looking for garage door repair in Henderson, there are a few things that you may do yourself to keep your garage a bit warmer. Insulate Your Garage Door The first step to keeping your garage warmer is insulating the door. This is a task that you can typically do yourself, but you can also hire a professional to get the job done quicker. Some garage doors come with insulation already installed. If your garage door didn’t, you can buy insulation that can be easily stuck to the inside of the garage door. This will help keep the heat inside your garage door and the cold air out. This also works in reverse during the warmer seasons. Mind the Gaps It doesn’t matter how great the insulation is on your garage door. If you have gaps, it’s all for not. Gaps typically occur between the base of the garage door and the floor of the garage. This is a matter that you can easily fix by hiring a professional. He can adjust the garage door to ensure that it reaches the floor, preventing the flow of air. You will also need to check the sides of the garage door because the weather stripping can wear out over time. Keep Your Garage Door Shut While gaps will let heat escape in small amounts, opening the door lets nearly all of the heat out of the garage. It then takes time for the garage to warm back up. Whenever possible, keep your garage door shut during the winter. The more that your garage door is shut, the lower your energy bill will be.
The Pros of Having a Garage
The pros of having a garage are numerous. Living in Las Vegas, I’m sure you know how it is to step out of your house on a 90+ degree day, just to go start your car. And if you have leather…forget about it! After running the engine for five minutes or so, the car is usually cool enough for you to stomach getting into, let alone driving to your destination. For those of you that maintain your car on a do it yourself basis, you probably know what the inconvenience of working on it outside is like, especially when you have to slide under it and you get burnt due to the hot sidewalk. A garage can change all that as well as provide you with the following benefits: The Storage Potential A garage opens up an enormous amount of additional storage space. If you own it; you can store it. Besides storing the obvious (your car) a garage provides ample space for storing landscaping equipment, tools, bikes, annual decorations and everything in between. When you run out of floor space, make sure to look up at the walls and ceiling for more storage space. The Property Value Adding a garage is a reasonably good investment according to remodeling magazine’s 2015 “Cost vs. Value Report.” If you invest $52,382, which is the national average, on this addition you can expect to recoup 64.8 percent or $33,938 of your investment at resale – or refinance. Already have a garage that you want to replace the door on? Midrange garage door replacements, which on average cost $1,595, can net you 88.4 percent or $1,410 of your initial investment at time of resale. This a 5.9 percent higher rate than an upgrade garage door replacement. Whichever of the three options you choose, you can feel confident knowing that you’re making a good decision, economically speaking. The Potential Who said a garage had to be boring? Garages are like a blank canvas. Their usability options are endless. With the space they provide you can turn them into workshops, gyms, home offices, day cares and the list goes on. Want to liven them up? Try painting the walls a cheerful color. And don’t forget the floors. Many options for garage flooring exist today including epoxy flooring.
Winterize your garage
Residents in Las Vegas are fortunate to enjoy a fairly temperate climate, however, temps can still get pretty low during the winter. Cold weather can have adverse effects on your garage door so winterizing your garage can help keep your door operating and running smoothly, as well as help keep your home warm. Most of us store items in our garage that can freeze so keeping the cold out is essential. One of the main features of your garage door that helps keep the cold out is the weather stripping. Over time, weather stripping has a tendency to wear out and tear or crack. Cold air can seep through the cracks so it’s important to replace worn out weather stripping. Another good idea is to insulate your garage. Garage insulation kits are readily available at most home improvement stores. The kits generally consist of soft material that attaches to the panels of your garage door. Note that most insulation kits come with rating depending on the climate that you live in. Insulation not only helps with keeping heat in but will also help keep your garage cooler in the summer. There are areas such as around pipes, electrical sockets, windows, vents and other openings that are often uninsulated. By sealing these areas up tight with caulking or expanding foam insulation you can help keep warm air in and cold air out. For those that live in extremely cold climates, you may just want to replace your door with a weather proof door. The doors are pre-insulated and come with between-section sealing to prevent cold air infiltration. These doors will also help keep your garage cool in the summer. If you have any questions about winterizing your garage, please call the experts at Precision Garage of Las Vegas.