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Should I Heat My Garage?
Normally when you think of a garage, you don’t think of heat and air conditioning.
Most garages are unheated, whether they are attached to the home or separate. There are, however, reasons to consider “Should I heat my garage?”
Why Should I Heat My Garage?
When it’s cold outside, your garage is also cold, and dashing from the car to the home is uncomfortable. Heating your garage allows you to travel from the warmth of your home to your car without bundling up to the max. It also increases the interior temperature of your car for added comfort.
Optimize Internal Temperatures
Since a garage may share a wall with an interior wall of the home, an extreme difference in temperatures can cause the attached room to feel colder. In addition, every time the door to the garage opens and closes, heat is lost to the outside, increasing fuel costs.
Prevent Freezing
Cars and equipment stored in the garage operate better and have a longer life when they are not subject to extreme cold. And car batteries are more likely to start when not frozen. Chemicals, paints and oil fare better as well.
»Related: The Best Way to Heat a Garage in Winter
Create a Year-Round Workspace
A number of homeowners have a workshop in their garage where they can work on projects like home and auto repairs and crafts. Heating the garage not only enables comfortable access in the dead of winter, it also allows work on chilly evenings for those who like to work on projects year-round.
Enable Renovation
Homeowners sometimes convert their garage into additional living space for a family room, in-law suite or extra bedroom. When a heating system is already in place, this process is much easier. In addition, while renovations are taking place, the space is much more comfortable and accessible.
How Can I Safely Heat My Garage?
Should I heat my garage? How can I do so safely?
The easiest way to heat a garage is with a portable heater, but these are not recommended due to safety reasons. They can easily cause a fire with their proximity to textiles and chemicals, and can be forgotten or left unattended inadvertently.
And do not include your garage into your home’s duct system and furnace. Regular furnaces aren’t designed to work properly in lower temperatures.
Options to safely heat your garage include:
- Unit Heaters
- Forced-Air Units
- Infrared Heaters
- Convection Heaters
- Ductless Heating and Cooling
- In-Floor Heating
- Radiant Electric Ceiling Panels.
Most come with controls to regulate the interior temperature. Forced-Air Units blow warm air, so if woodworking is a hobby, it may stir up sawdust.
Don’t Overlook Garage Insulation
Heat will quickly dissipate from your heated garage if your ceiling, walls, and garage door are not insulated. There are a number of ways to insulate your garage including:
- rolled fiberglass insulation (batt and blanket insulation)
- blown-in and sprayed-on insulations
Natural fibers like sheep wool insulation can also be used.
Ask G&S Garage Doors
If you are asking “Should I heat my garage?” and would like to review heating options, please contact G&S Garage Doors. We can give you ideas on how to insulate and heat your garage yourself or do the job for you.
In the meantime, check out our full line of garage doors and our array of garage door openers. G&S Garage Doors is proud to serve homeowners throughout Northern Virginia.
A dependable garage door opener is a linchpin of home security and convenience, and LiftMaster's cutting-edge solutions have positioned it as the go-to brand for 2024, offering state-of-the-art technology and reliability. (LEARN MORE HERE: www.liftmaster.com ) 1. The Evolution of Garage Door Openers Garage door openers have come a long way, evolving from simple, manually-operated mechanisms to today's high-tech options that blend seamlessly with smart home ecosystems. The 2024 standards highlight advanced security, user-friendly design, and energy efficiency. 2. What Sets LiftMaster Garage Door Openers Apart? LiftMaster has built a stellar reputation for its diverse range of reliable openers, each boasting innovative features that cater to the modern homeowner's needs, including superior connectivity and unparalleled security features. 3. Smart Homes Meet Smart Garage Door Openers Today's Wi-Fi openers, especially those equipped with myQ technology, offer more than convenience. They integrate with your smart home network, providing real-time alerts, remote access, and the ability to set schedules for your garage door, enhancing both security and functionality. 4. Explore LiftMaster’s Real-World Applications LiftMaster's myQ technology not only offers enhanced convenience and security through its smart features but also demonstrates high compatibility with other smart home devices, enriching user experiences, as shared in numerous testimonials. 5. Installation and Maintenance Advice Achieving the best performance from your garage door opener requires professional installation, which ensures safety and functionality. Regular maintenance, including simple steps like checking alignment and lubricating moving parts, will extend the life of the unit. LiftMaster stands out as the top choice for 2024, delivering significant improvements to daily life through advanced security features, ease of use, and smart home integration. Discover the benefits of upgrading to a LiftMaster garage door opener. Visit us online to explore our products or schedule a professional installation and start enjoying a smarter, more secure home today.
Faced with signs of wear or malfunction, homeowners are often caught in a quandary: to repair garage door blemishes and breakdowns or to invest in a brand-new door. It's a decision that intertwines considerations of cost, convenience, and curb appeal. The latest Cost vs. Value report brings a new perspective to this debate, highlighting garage door replacement as the top home improvement project for return on investment. Understanding this dynamic can illuminate the most cost-effective path forward, whether it leads to a fresh installation or a simple fix. (View Report: VIEW COST VS. VALUE REPORT ) 1. Garage Door Repair Cost Factors When it comes to repair costs, homeowners can expect a range based on labor and parts, with variations depending on the repair's complexity—from simple spring replacements to more extensive structural repairs. A full replacement entails higher costs, influenced by the choice of door material, design, and installation labor. Don't overlook hidden expenses such as removal and disposal of the old door or potential structural alterations needed for the new installation. 2. There’s More Beyond the Price Tag The aesthetic impact of a garage door extends beyond its price tag. A new door can significantly enhance your home's curb appeal and property value, offering a fresh look with color options that seamlessly blend with your exterior. Energy efficiency also comes into play, with modern insulated doors promising long-term savings on energy bills, contributing to the overall value of your investment. 3. The Value of Investing in Your Garage Door Per the Cost vs. Value report, garage door replacement ranks as a top home improvement for return on investment, often recouping a significant portion of the expense at resale. Beyond improving curb appeal, a new garage door offers enhanced security, reduced maintenance costs, and the integration of smart technology—advantages that solidify its long-term worth. 4. Repair or Replace My Garage Door? Consider repairs for minor damage or if budget is tight, but if you're facing extensive damage or your model is outdated, replacement might be the prudent choice. Evaluating the extent of damage and the functionality of your current setup is key to deciding whether a quick fix or a new door is necessary. 5. The Art of Balancing Cost-Effectiveness Industry professionals often suggest that investing in a new garage door can dramatically improve home appeal and functionality. Before-and-after cases consistently show increased homeowner satisfaction and property value post-replacement. In summary, balancing cost-effectiveness with these benefits is crucial in your decision-making process. If you're weighing repair versus replacement, reach out for a professional assessment to make an informed decision that suits your needs and budget.
You put consideration into insulating you home, because you want to be comfortable no matter what the season. But did you know that you should also insulate your garage? Here are some tips on how to insulate your garage.
Nothing is worse than coming home and finding that your garage door won’t close. Having a garage is a nice convenience, but it can be a nuisance when things go wrong with your garage door. Knowing what the issue is can help you determine if it’s a problem you can tackle yourself or if it’s time to call for assistance. Just like any door, your garage door is meant to open and close. A garage that’s left open can lead to theft, weather damage, and other problems. Don’t leave your valuables exposed or your home unprotected if you find that your garage door won’t close. To help you troubleshoot your garage door issues, here is a list of simples fixes you can try.
Your garage may be the largest space in your home, yet have the least insulation. That’s why you ought to consider the benefits of insulated garage doors vs. non-insulated.
There’s nothing worse than dashing out into the frigid winter air to get into your icy-cold car . And your car is in the garage! One option to increase comfort and provide safety for items housed in your garage is to heat your garage. However, before you plug in the space heater, it’s important to ask, “How can I safely heat my garage?” It may be convenient, or a quick solution to grab a space heater with open coils, but don’t . This type of heating device is not optimal for a garage. There are a lot of chemicals and solvents located in a garage, and oily rags that could quickly ignite. In addition, a space heater can be easily forgotten and left on with nobody around to monitor it.
When your garage door won’t open all the way, it can seem like the end of the world. A broken door can block the entry to your home, keep your car stuck in the garage, or pose a potential safety hazard to you and your family. Your garage door has two simple jobs: to go up and come back down again. When one of those is thrown off, it leaves you with an unnecessary headache and the question, “What do I do now?” Not all garage doors are created equal, but over time, they can all become susceptible to a variety of different issues. If you’re the victim of an unopening garage door, this is just the guide for you.
Entry through your garage door is one of the ways criminals can access your home and steal items stored in your garage—if you’re not careful. Even though you lock your doors and windows, the garage entryway is one area that is often overlooked.
Technology is amazing, and it is mind-boggling—even to us as garage door specialists—how many ways even something as simple as a garage door can be influenced by technology. For example, here are the 3 latest advancements in garage door technology.
Unfortunately, many people are injured each year by their garage doors, so as garage door experts, we’d like to talk about garage door accidents–the statistics and how to prevent accidents in your home or workplace. The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) has reported statistics on garage door accidents showing that more than 2,000 people per year are crushed by garage doors, and more than 7,500 people are pinched during garage door operation. Only about 100 of these are caused by personal negligence, like a child or pet trying to dash under a closing door. Children can sometimes play games with the garage door, daring themselves to try to make it to the other side as the door closes, often playing with the remote control. If they don’t make it across, the door can pin them to the ground or crush them. Several deaths each year are reported by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission from this behavior, even from garage doors that do contain an automatic reverse feature. Glass breakage is another cause of garage door accidents. Many of the older doors do not contain shatterproof or shatter-resistant glass windows. There are upwards of 800 people each year who visit the emergency room with cuts caused by garage door glass. The remainders of those accidents are caused by mechanical failures within the garage door equipment itself or from the lack of safety features that can aid in preventing potentially-dangerous safety problems.