As we’ve said before, a garage can be used for a great many things besides just storing vehicles. However, that list of possibilities becomes very limited if you can’t control the temperature inside your garage.

For those looking to spend a little extra time in their garage stalls, here the key ingredients to keeping your garage cool.

Start with Insulation

It doesn’t really matter what you do to your garage if it’s not properly insulated. Many garages have little to no insulation when they’re built. Before making any other changes, insulate your garage. It will help it hold cooler temps in the summer and warmer temps in the winter.

This includes your garage door. Insulated garage doors can make a big difference in how the inside of your home feels.

For insulated overhead doors in Ohio, make sure to checkout Springfield Overhead Door. We offer a vast inventory so that you can find the perfect door for your garage.

Ventilation

The ability to keep air fresh and flowing makes a big difference when it comes to the temperature of your garage.  Vents or windows can definitely help with this, but they aren’t always enough. A great way to add a little power to your ventilation is with an exhaust fan. These do wonders in the summer and winter.

As an added bonus, improved ventilation keeps the air inside of your garage cleaner and safer.

What About Air Conditioning?

Many pros actually advise against installing air-conditioning in your garage, largely because most people don’t need it. Unless you plan on being in your garage regularly for long periods of time, and you live somewhere that gets very hot, you can probably get by with insulation and good ventilation.

However, if you’re planning on officing or leisurely hanging out in your garage, you may want the option to cool it further. Just remember you’ll need to be able to take air from the outside and also expel air back outside.

If you have a large enough window, you may be able to use a window unit. Just know that a window unit, especially in your garage, can be a security issue. If you do add one, make sure it’s properly secure.

Otherwise, there are other portable AC solutions. If your garage is attached to your home, you may be able to connect it to your internal HVAC system. Just make sure you can close the vent leading to the garage when it’s not in use. This will help you save on utilities.

Our advice is, if your garage is already finished, try installation and ventilation first. A garage screen might not be a bad idea either. If that’s not enough, proceed with air-conditioning from there.