As the weather gets colder, it’s important to winterize your garage to protect it from damage and make it more functional during the winter months. Here are seven steps you can take to get your garage ready for winter.
1. Insulate the Garage Door
One of the best ways to winterize your garage is to insulate the garage door. The garage door is a major source of heat loss in the winter. Insulating the door will help prevent cold drafts from entering the garage and make the space more comfortable to work in. Install garage door insulation kits which are readily available at hardware stores. These kits come with insulated vinyl, foam, or rubber strips that attach to the inside of the garage door to add an extra layer of insulation. Carefully measure the door panels and cut the insulation to size before fixing it to the door using the provided adhesive or fasteners.
If your garage door isn’t in the best shape, consider a repair or replacement before winter arrives.
2. Weatherstrip Entry Doors
Check the weatherstripping around all doors that lead into your garage from outside or the house. Worn or missing weatherstripping allows cold air to penetrate the garage. Replace any worn or damaged strips to block drafts. Use thick rubber or vinyl strips around the door jambs to create a tight seal. Adjust or replace the door sweep at the base of the door if necessary to prevent air leaks under the door.
3. Caulk Cracks and Gaps
Go around the interior of the garage and look for any cracks or gaps where cold air could be entering. Use caulk designed for exterior use to seal up any cracks and gaps around windows, corners, pipes, wiring holes, etc. Caulking will help make the garage more airtight and energy efficient, plus prevent pests from finding a way in.
4. Insulate Water Pipes
Protect water pipes in your garage from freezing by wrapping them with specially designed pipe insulation. The insulation is easy to install – simply cut sections to size and wrap them around exposed pipes. This will prevent pipes from freezing and bursting in extreme cold temperatures.
5. Install Garage Ceiling Insulation
One often overlooked area that can benefit from insulation is the garage ceiling. Heat rises to the ceiling where it can be lost through the roof. Installing insulation at the ceiling helps retain warmth in the garage interior. If there is an unfinished ceiling or attic space, have fiberglass batt insulation professionally installed to meet your climate’s recommended r-value. Make sure insulation does not cover light fixtures and is securely installed to prevent it from falling.
6. Let Light In
One downside of winterizing your garage is that it can make the interior dark and gloomy. To brighten it up, install new light bulbs with higher wattage and higher lumens. Clean the windows to allow more natural sunlight in. Reflective interior paint also helps reflect and amplify light. Increase lighting levels to make working in the garage more pleasant in winter.
7. Keep It Clutter-Free
Finally, winter is a great time to clear clutter and organize your garage. Not only will this create more usable space, but it will eliminate places where pests could hide out of the cold. Get rid of anything you no longer need. Add shelving units and storage bins to keep essentials organized. A clean, organized garage will make winter projects like clearing snow off vehicles a breeze.
Preparing your garage for the cold winter months doesn’t have to be a major chore. Following these key steps will winterize and optimize your garage all season long. Your vehicles, tools, and belongings will be protected from the elements so you can continue to utilize your garage workspace during the winter.
