Have you paused to consider how the temperature in your attached garage affects its contents and influences the temperature in your home? As winter approaches, preparing your garage can make a huge difference in energy savings, sustainability, and the longevity of your belongings. To make the most of your garage and improve efficiency, we connected with Aaron Cash of Garage Living to highlight tips that can make a difference as colder temperatures arrive.
Weather Seal and Insulate
"One of the most effective ways to winterize the garage is to ensure it’s properly insulated," highlights Cash. "Drafts and cold air can increase your home's energy consumption, forcing your heating system to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature."
By sealing cracks around windows, doors, and walls, and adding weather stripping and insulation to uninsulated garage doors, you can reduce heat loss and help conserve energy. "A well-insulated, weatherproof garage door prevents heat from escaping and cold air from entering," adds Cash. This will not only lower utility bills but also keeps your entire home more comfortable on cold winter days.
Improve Storage Systems
Clutter can be a hidden cause of energy waste, especially in the winter months. Cash notes, "Clutter inhibits proper air circulation and leads to energy waste, particularly throughout the winter months." If any tools and items migrated into your garage over the summer, keep in mind that they might not be built to withstand low temperatures and could sustain weather damage.
For things that can remain in the garage, get organized. Smart storage space solutions like wall-mounted racks, overhead storage, and shelving units can organize your space, improve airflow, and keep your items protected from extreme cold.
Upgrade to LED Lighting
If you intend to spend more time in your garage now that it's more weatherproofed, consider upgrading the lighting. "Swap out old incandescent bulbs for energy-efficient LED lights," recommends Cash. "LEDs use significantly less energy and last longer, reducing your energy bills and environmental footprint." And that's true; not only do LED lights provide a brighter and more energy-efficient lighting option, but they also require less frequent replacements, reducing waste and long-term costs. We love ours. Plus, they're super, super bright.
Consider the Floor
Winter can be tough on garage floors, especially with the snow, ice accumulation, and salt tracked in from vehicles. "Adding a polyaspartic coating like Floortex can provide enhanced winter protection for your garage floor," notes Cash. Unlike epoxy, polyaspartic coatings are highly durable, resist staining from salts and chemicals, and can be applied in colder temperatures, making them ideal for winter conditions. Choosing low-VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) flooring materials can also improve indoor air quality, making your garage a healthier space overall. "Floortex outperforms traditional epoxy in durability, stain resistance, and cold-weather application, making it a great choice for long-lasting protection and year-round application minimizing downtime.”
Regular Maintenance Will Help
A little maintenance before winter sets in can go a long way in keeping your garage in peak condition. Cash recommends a thorough cleanup, explaining, "Before the winter hits, organize and properly store equipment and tools, clear out debris, and clean the garage floor to prevent damage from snow, ice, and salt." Pay attention to other features in your garage, too:
- Inspect safety features regularly to ensure your garage door operates smoothly and safely. Look over the release handle and roller brackets to confirm they’re functioning properly.
- Check for proper balance by testing if the garage door stays in place when partially open. An unbalanced garage door can strain parts like the torsion spring and cause issues with safe operation.
- Lubricate moving parts of your garage door with a silicone-based lubricant. Applying it to roller brackets, hinges, and springs will keep the door running quietly, even in the cold temperatures of winter.
- Prepare for cold temperatures by insulating or sealing gaps to help keep the garage warm and reduce the risk of potential water damage.
- Examine the torsion spring and other key components for signs of wear or damage. Broken springs and unaddressed damage can lead to emergency repairs if they fail unexpectedly.
- Clean and treat wooden doors if applicable, as they can be particularly vulnerable to moisture from winter weather.
- Test the garage door opener’s safety mechanisms to ensure they’re ready for winter. Check sensors and auto-reverse features so the door operates safely at all times.
