“Reality is that which, when you stop believing it, doesn’t go away.”

– Philip K. Dick.

For many, winter is a harsh reality that they wish they could make go away. Unfortunately, it is an inevitability that will soon be upon us. The good news is winter can be much more bearable with a little forethought. If you’re looking to prepare yourself for the cold days ahead, your garage is a great place to start.

After all, garages tend to be more vulnerable to cold winter temps. Whether you use your garage to keep your car a little warmer, or you’re looking to utilize it for other purposes, it’s in your best interest to ready your garage for winter days ahead.

Clear It Out

A cluttered garage doesn’t do anyone any good. Try and remove garbage, excess items, etc. before it gets too cold to do so. Additionally, there are certain items that shouldn’t be stored in your garage during the wintertime.

 Items that should be removed from your garage include:

  • Paint
  • Electronics
  • Liquids
  • Food

Even if you have your garage heated, it will likely drop to temperatures that are colder than the rest of your home. It’s best to be safe than sorry. Speaking of heating…

Explore Heating Options

Chances are, your garage isn’t connected to your home’s HVAC system (and it probably shouldn’t be). Thankfully, there are still a number of ways you can heat your garage in the winter time. Some install a wooden stove. This can be a cheap, yet effective option, especially if you tend to have excess wood on hand. However, you should be very cautious with this method. Additionally, you’ll want to check and see if you need a permit for a stove.

Alternatively, many rely on gas or electric heaters to keep their garages warm. Both can be affordable and easy to setup. However, they can come with certain dangers, and they don’t always heat the space evenly. For a more balanced heating experience, an infrared heater might be a better choice.

Though they take a little while to heat up, infrared heaters are very effective and energy efficient in the long run.

Keep it Sealed

Now is the time to check for any cracks in your exterior. If you find anyway, make sure to seal them up. Additionally, double check the weatherstripping and sealing around your doors and windows. A drafty garage is much more difficult to heat, not to mention it greatly reduces the efficiency of your heating equipment.

Upgrade Your Insulation

Make sure your garage is properly insulated on all sides and up above. You may also want to consider insulated garage and entry doors. After all, your garage door is practically a wall in itself. If it’s not insulated, you’ll likely lose a lot of heat through it.

An insulated garage door not only keeps your garage warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, but it’s more effective at absorbing and reducing sound. All in all, it’s a worthwhile investment for anyone who is trying to make the most of their garage space.

For a great selection of insulated entry and overhead doors in the Dayton area, contact Springfield Overhead Door today. We offer sizes and styles for any situation. We also provide professional installation services to ensure your new doors are installed and sealed properly.

Let us help make winter a little more tolerable this year.