5 Ways to Winterize Your Garage

by George Karonis

A temperature drop is a good indication winter is slowly approaching. It's also the ideal time to prepare and winterize your garage for the cold season. Garage winter proofing can help you protect your tools you store in your garage and keep it warm and comfortable if you work in it. It can also help keep your vehicle protected from the cold elements. Below are five ways to winterize your garage.

  1. Clean Thoroughly

To get your garage prepared for the upcoming winter season, you'll have to clean it thoroughly to eliminate it from things like:

  • Debris
  • Dirt
  • Leaves
  • Mulch
  • Dead insects
  • Other creatures
  1. Apply Weather Stripping

Once you've cleaned your garage thoroughly, you can begin winterizing it. And, this means ensuring it is properly insulated. But before you do that, you'll want to seal up any leaks that could let the warm air out and the cold air in.

Check the weather stripping on every window and the garage door. If you notice any leaks or cracks fix them with the weather stripping. Weather stripping, over time, can become cracked and brittle. This can result in air leaks that can create cold drafts in your garage.

  1. Insulate the Garage Walls

While it's not that difficult to buy fiberglass batt insulation, what can be difficult is properly installing it. Be sure you choose the right thickness for your garage walls and use the installation guide to help you with the installation of the insulation correctly. Some common mistakes people make when trying to install insulation are:

  • Not supporting the batt insulation
  • Failing to securely fasten it
  • Cutting it too short or too long for the location

With insulation, you must have a snug fit, but you also can't jam it too tightly either.

  1. Add Ventilation

Ventilate your garage well with a garage exhaust fan. This helps with buildup of moisture and helps ventilate the toxic odors and chemicals caused through projects you may be working on in your garage. Proper ventilation is essential for keeping out the moisture generated by day-to-day garage heating. Heat causes condensation and this turns into moisture. If you leave it unchecked, it can have other health effects.

  1. Insulate Your Garage Door

There are various products you can buy to insulate your garage door, which includes designed kits. Some options of insulation are:

  • Fiberglass batt insulation
  • Reflective barriers
  • Foam board

Regardless of the type you select, you'll need to cut the insulation so it fills the panels of your garage door. You'll then secure it with adhesive to ensure it stays put. Certain garage doors won't have recessed panels that typically make for a simple insulation project.

Sources:

https://www.garagetooladvisor.com/comfort/tips-winter-proofing-garage/
https://waterfilterspot.com/how-to-keep-garage-warm/
https://www.garadry.com/blogs/news/tips-for-winterizing-your-garage-door
https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/interior-projects/how-to/a9621/4-ways-to-protect-your-garage-from-winter-16093492/

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