Heating issues: Why is it so cold in the garage?

We spend a lot of time and effort making sure our homes remain warm and cozy during the winter months. However, our garages often remain bitterly cold, making it almost impossible to use our tools or do anything productive in them. Many homeowners find themselves asking, Why is my garage so cold?” This issue arises from several factors, primarily the lack of insulation and heat retention strategies in most garages, leading to significant heat loss.

One of the main reasons for this happening is that our garages are most often not insulated. Devices like mini-split air conditioners and heaters are not a viable solution since they will not do more than increase the temperature by a few degrees.

If you want to use your garage during the winter, here are a few helpful tips on how to go about making it an all-season garage.

Check for air leaks

The first step to addressing why my garage is so cold is sealing cold drafts. Check the following areas for air leaks:

The first place for you to check is the garage door frame. In a lot of cases, garage doors do not fit snugly into their frames. Fortunately, there is an easy fix to this, and that is to use self-adhesive weather strips to seal the gap.

Your garage door also has a gasket at the bottom of the door that is designed to keep cold air out. However, if your garage door is more than a couple of years old, chances are that the gasket has become brittle and cracked. This means cold air can find its way in through the garage door opening.

The ideal thing for you to do is to change this gasket once every two years or so. The size of the gasket depends on the width of the garage door, so be sure you take accurate measurements before you set out to buy one.

Finally, if your garage has windows, you will need to seal them as well. You can buy one of the many window shrink film insulation kits to do the job for you. Begin by applying shrink film to the inside of the window. Then, tape the shrink wrap to the window frame and heat it with a hairdryer until it fits snugly around the window frame.

Insulate garage doors and walls.

One of the most effective ways to retain heat in your garage is to insulate the garage doors and walls. Installing insulated garage doors can raise the temperature in your garage by 10 to 12 degrees, making a significant difference. These doors also help prevent heat from escaping, improving energy efficiency.
For insulating the garage walls, you could choose either fiberglass batt insulation or foam boards. Both of these can be installed on wall studs. Finish the garage walls with either oriented strand board (OSB), drywall panels, or plywood sheets. Proper insulation minimizes heat loss and makes your garage feel more like a functional living space rather than an outdoor shed.

Choose the right space heater

Finally, choose a heat source that can efficiently warm the garage. A mini-split system is an efficient way to heat and cool your garage year-round, especially if you’re spending a lot of time working there. These systems are energy-efficient and provide consistent temperature control.

You may need to consider investing in a ceiling-mounted forced-air heating unit to generate enough warm air. Alternatively, you could also consider a portable propane heater to do the job.

Sizes vary from a standard 20-pound tank that powers a small propane heater to a large 500-pound tank that connects to a larger propane heater. The second option will, however, require a plumber to run a gas line to the garage.

Read more: Healthiest temperature for your home

How warm should your garage be?

Now that you know how to warm up your garage during those winters, here’s what temperature you ought to maintain in your garage during the winters.

The basic principle is to keep your garage warm enough to avoid condensation. That means if you live along the coasts, your garage temperature ought to be around 65 degrees Fahrenheit, while those of you who live inland can keep the temperature at a balmy 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bottom line

Why is your garage so cold? The answer lies in a combination of inadequate insulation, air leaks, and insufficient heating solutions. By properly insulating the doors and walls, sealing air leaks, and choosing an energy-efficient heat source, you can transform your garage into a warm and comfortable living space, even during the coldest months. With these upgrades, your garage will be ready for all your winter projects without sacrificing comfort or energy efficiency.

Written by Narayan Shrouthy. April 10, 2022

Narayan is a content writer for Kukun. With experience in both content writing and editing, Narayan mixes his writing and love for reading with his passion for music. As an active musician, He aims to be a key player in Kukun's content experience.