Keep Garage Door Open Slightly- How?

[bsloan1960]

When it's hot I see some garage doors open about a foot- I assume to let the heat out. My garage seems to have just 2 positions- Open and Shut. Is there a way to program it to accomplish this? Thanks.

[Topspinmo]

Brand name door opener might help. Mine older MVP which has has control module at house entry. I just let garage door down to height I want to stop and push the stop button on control module as I enter the house from garage. In my hand held controls have 3 position buttons a + and - and O.. can’t remember it the center O button stops the door?

[LuvNH]

We can close our door to the point we want it open and then release the button and it stays.

[Stu from NYC]

Beware of snakes possibly coming to visit

[charlie1]

lived in Florida for almost 40 years! Seems like everyone that leaves their garage door open unattended gets some sort of nasty critter take up residence. I would advise against leaving your garage door open!

[Dusty_Star]

lived in Florida for almost 40 years! Seems like everyone that leaves their garage door open unattended gets some sort of nasty critter take up residence. I would advise against leaving your garage door open!

I would agree, if you want the garage door to remain open, the screens are the way to go.

[MrFlorida]

Open invitation for snakes, lizards, and Palmetto bugs.

[BigDawgInLakeDenham]

Lie down and bench press the door open as it closes on you. Swat away intruders with one arm at a time. Works like a charm

[Sandy and Ed]

Some folks have screens built into the bottom sections of their doors. Me? I leave my screened garage window open at the bottom and my garage ceiling pulldown wedged open to get airflow

[Berwin]

Beware of snakes possibly coming to visit

I was walking the dog last summer past a neighbor's house who leaves his garage door up about a foot. The dog jumped and I saw a big snake coming out of the garage and going around the corner of the house. I told the guy and he wasn't concerned. Still leaves his door up when it's hot. We have the screens so our door is wide open when it's hot.

[xcaligirl]

Beware of snakes possibly coming to visit
First thing I thought of also!! I’ve seen several garage doors with a couple of vents added. Not sure if it helps enough but better than leaving the door partially open or get a garage screen!!!

[dewilson58]

!First thing I thought of also!! I’ve seen several garage doors with a couple of vents added. Not sure if it helps enough but better than leaving the door partially open or get a garage screen!!

If you add vents, make sure "you" or the installer understands airflow.

Vents on top or vents on bottom, hot air in or hot air out......hot air rises.

:read:

[MidWestIA]

I've seen that and I have one of those big garage screens. SO I tested with & without in summer heat and it was only 3-4 degrees different so I don't use it. Cuz when it's that hot a little is still pretty darn hot and it just makes the house vulnerable to bugs, mice and snakes

[Miboater]

On my Linear opener if I press the remote when the garage door is going up it will stop in that position. Press it again it will go down.

[bowlingal]

critters can and will get in whether the garage door is open or closed, with or without a screen. They are not air tight and the smallest crack will let them in

[oneclickplus]

When it's hot I see some garage doors open about a foot- I assume to let the heat out. My garage seems to have just 2 positions- Open and Shut. Is there a way to program it to accomplish this? Thanks.

Most garage doors will stop at the current position if you press the button while it is traveling upward. If you press it while it is traveling downward, it will just reverse direction and open all the way. So close door completely. Now press button (do not hold) to open. When it is open the desired amount, press again.

[Golfshopguy]

A real good way to invite snakes into your garage. Install a garage screen door is a better option.

[retiredguy123]

First thing I thought of also!! I’ve seen several garage doors with a couple of vents added. Not sure if it helps enough but better than leaving the door partially open or get a garage screen!!!
I wouldn't bother installing vents. They are not very effective and they weaken the door.

[john352]

First thing I thought of also!! I’ve seen several garage doors with a couple of vents added. Not sure if it helps enough but better than leaving the door partially open or get a garage screen!!!

Some homeowners have a garage ventilation fan installed. The vents on the garage doors are necessary to let the cooler oustide air into the garage. Energy-Saving Solar Garage Fan Install | The Villages & Central FL (https://thesolarguys.com/ventilation/garage-fans/)

[retiredguy123]

Some homeowners have a garage ventilation fan installed. The vents on the garage doors are necessary to let the cooler oustide air into the garage. Energy-Saving Solar Garage Fan Install | The Villages & Central FL (https://thesolarguys.com/ventilation/garage-fans/)
I have a neighbor who installed a powered garage ventilation fan and two vents in the garage door. They used it for about 2 weeks and then shut it off permanently because it was not effective at all. I think a solar fan would be even less effective. You just don't get enough air flow through the smalls vents in the garage door.

[Heytubes]

There is an electric product called “Garage Cooler” that I believe the Solar Guys handle. I sold a bunch of them when I had my Solatube business. Product also has a heat fuse to shut it down in case of fire. Very effective.

[merrymini]

How does drawing hot air from the outside to the inside cool the garage? Since hit air rises, how does a vent on the bottom panel help? I decided a screen could not be of much use and would not leave the door open at the bottom either, too many crawlers for my taste. I did insulate my panels and that lowered the temp significantly but if you really want to cool the garage, you need a split. Most of these ideas like fans, screens and such simply do not work effectively enough.

[Nana2Teddy]

We have a mini split, so garage is always as comfortable as the house. Worth every penny. I don’t want slithery critters in my garage.

[JGibson]

Amazing some homes have no window in the garage. Yet my CYV has 2 windows in garage.

[coconutmama]

lived in Florida for almost 40 years! Seems like everyone that leaves their garage door open unattended gets some sort of nasty critter take up residence. I would advise against leaving your garage door open!

So true! Our neighbor had a raccoon family try to inhabit their garage. Those rascals can be mean

[Fastskiguy]

Beware of snakes possibly coming to visit

We had a little palm rat stay with us for awhile when our doors were open. Little bugger chewed stuff. Wife wouldn't let me unleash the cat so we just waited and he finally left. Not recommended!

Joe

[ron32162]

Just watch for the snakes crawling in or rats going thru the trash bags sitting in the garage. Yes this does happen and I do not leave mine open any more!

[Gator_Girl]

Lie down and bench press the door open as it closes on you. Swat away intruders with one arm at a time. Works like a charm

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[ellenwelsh]

I put insulation on the garage door last year. It helped a good deal. Not hard to do.

[kkingston57]

When it's hot I see some garage doors open about a foot- I assume to let the heat out. My garage seems to have just 2 positions- Open and Shut. Is there a way to program it to accomplish this? Thanks.

??? whether this will help. Warm air does rise.

[tophcfa]

Find something solid that’s about a foot thick, disconnect the door from the motor driven track, raise the door manually about a foot and a half, and slide the solid object under the door and gently lower the door on top of it. Or better yet, get an overhead garage screen door. We got one from Coolbreeze and like it very much.

[Lottoguy]

Why not have the small vents installed on each side of the door on the bottom? They work real good too.

[Indydealmaker]

Beware of snakes possibly coming to visit

We have a garage screen door to avoid the critter problem.

[RRGuyNJ]

critters can and will get in whether the garage door is open or closed, with or without a screen. They are not air tight and the smallest crack will let them in

Glad to see someone other than me realizes it doesn't take much of a crack for some critters to get in.

[PugMom]

critters can and will get in whether the garage door is open or closed, with or without a screen. They are not air tight and the smallest crack will let them in

i'd say yes, i agree. some of my outdoor lizard friends have found a way to sneak in, even when i thought everything was solid. it goes to show where there's a will, there's a way. i get them out & they want back in when i'm not looking.

[OhioBuckeye]

That’s exactly how mine worked in in Ohio, Florida & here in Texas!

[Kathyo]

When it's hot I see some garage doors open about a foot- I assume to let the heat out. My garage seems to have just 2 positions- Open and Shut. Is there a way to program it to accomplish this? Thanks.

Given that heat rises I don't think leaving your garage door open a foot at the bottom will help much. And of course there is the animal issue which may or may not be a problem in your area.

[MrFlorida]

Insulate the garage door, it will help.

[mntlblok]

Beware of snakes possibly coming to visit

So as to have snacks prepared?

Have learnt a lot in this thread, but still pondering that "rule" about hot air rising. If it's hotter inside the garage than out and there's a gap at the bottom, will the hotter air inside the garage agree to follow said rule and refuse to move laterally prior to gaining the opportunity to rise? Would this involve supervision by Maxwell's demon? Always looking to learn.

It does seem that the solutions generally don't seem to be "worth" the efforts, and I *know* that both of us would eventually drive through the screens.

[Cliff Fr]

I doubt that leaving it open slightly makes much difference in the temperature

[kkingston57]

Amazing some homes have no window in the garage. Yet my CYV has 2 windows in garage.

Agree and I hate this fact. Nice to have some non electrical light in my garage

[Dusty_Star]

So as to have snacks prepared?

Have learnt a lot in this thread, but still pondering that "rule" about hot air rising. If it's hotter inside the garage than out and there's a gap at the bottom, will the hotter air inside the garage agree to follow said rule and refuse to move laterally prior to gaining the opportunity to rise? Would this involve supervision by Maxwell's demon? Always looking to learn.

It does seem that the solutions generally don't seem to be "worth" the efforts, and I *know* that both of us would eventually drive through the screens.

Thanks for the chuckles. :)

[mntlblok]

Thanks for the chuckles. :)

Then I'll see you Thursday evening at 6:30 at the Colony Cottage/Laural Manor Rooms at Rohan? :-)

[DonnaNi4os]

You simply push the button to open or close and then hit it again at the point you want it to stop. I agree. If you are going to leave it open you are best to do it only if you have a screen installed.

[jimjamuser]

Some homeowners have a garage ventilation fan installed. The vents on the garage doors are necessary to let the cooler oustide air into the garage. Energy-Saving Solar Garage Fan Install | The Villages & Central FL (https://thesolarguys.com/ventilation/garage-fans/)
Since hot air rises, leaving the bottom foot or so of your garage door open would NOT help anything. You need an exhaust fan close to the ceiling pushing hot air out and THEN you could find a way to let the cooler lower air flow around the garage.

[jimjamuser]

Why not have the small vents installed on each side of the door on the bottom? They work real good too.
Since hot air rises, that will NOT work unless there is an exhaust fan or screen opening at a high part of the garage. Also, last summer was record hot and this summer could be hotter, so now is a good time to come up with a plan about how to circulate air in the garage.

[jimjamuser]

i'd say yes, i agree. some of my outdoor lizard friends have found a way to sneak in, even when i thought everything was solid. it goes to show where there's a will, there's a way. i get them out & they want back in when i'm not looking.
The really bad thing is when they are in, they can't find enough insects to eat so they end up dying and drying up in some corner of the house. I suppose, IDEALLY, that IF a hardware store sold a LIVE trap for them - then they could be released back into the yard where they do good eating insects.

[retiredguy123]

The really bad thing is when they are in, they can't find enough insects to eat so they end up dying and drying up in some corner of the house. I suppose, IDEALLY, that IF a hardware store sold a LIVE trap for them - then they could be released back into the yard where they do good eating insects.
Couldn't you use the sticky paper for that?

[jimjamuser]

So as to have snacks prepared?

Have learnt a lot in this thread, but still pondering that "rule" about hot air rising. If it's hotter inside the garage than out and there's a gap at the bottom, will the hotter air inside the garage agree to follow said rule and refuse to move laterally prior to gaining the opportunity to rise? Would this involve supervision by Maxwell's demon? Always looking to learn.

It does seem that the solutions generally don't seem to be "worth" the efforts, and I *know* that both of us would eventually drive through the screens.
The FACT (scientific fact) that hot air rises was covered in depth in high school physics.

[jimjamuser]

Couldn't you use the sticky paper for that?
Well.........maybe. The problem is that the lizards, (cameleons, geckos or whatever their name is) have a way of detaching their tails easily and if their foot were caught maybe they would bite it off like a mouse would?

[retiredguy123]

Well.........maybe. The problem is that the lizards, (cameleons, geckos or whatever their name is) have a way of detaching their tails easily and if their foot were caught maybe they would bite it off like a mouse would?
From Amazon:

Amazon.com (https://www.amazon.com/Glue-Mouse-Traps-Indoor-Home/dp/B08HPFR3FN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1N11B5MR46IOV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.M6zLM4QC7Rpwh9mYL5fJSFzYChf-wbg3xf8v34eK77gWRKThvW1MzHTyMIJtmQ1fDZiByGc_EPscFF tNOpuPB13cf6nlgGuNrpwROcdpuYUhMnEcQy_4fOJ4381g6_h1 _3eUIxDFQzguec0-6UUbaW5yFI32-ocSdE9mvP5-JJSIr6P2cfspeSXeiXrUFM9xlbBfjoX34CrROVQWikIJBTF5Ei 0L_9uvQQDib-782j6S7zsiOBEEiNHNyLz8nyeSmTBIzM_mcpA3ufhsokhw9ZCg iP3nvvdzXP8_V0ZcmFE.G4cV5i9sqjVhLfO7Wj6fDUn_JTOUIP 3V9Fe8I0ZgUwU&dib_tag=se&keywords=anole+traps&qid=1709065639&s=amazon-devices&sprefix=anole+tra%2Camazon-devices%2C343&sr=1-1)

[Atamasco]

When we got a new LiftMaster garage door opener, the installer warned us that leaving the door partially open puts excessive strain on the cables.

[Topspinmo]

I wouldn't bother installing vents. They are not very effective and they weaken the door.

Don’t you mean weakening that panel? Actually it sheet metal over metal frame. Unless you cut the frame I don’t see how it weaken the garage door? :shrug:

[Topspinmo]

We have a garage screen door to avoid the critter problem.

Some run in when door opens..:shocked:

[retiredguy123]

Don’t you mean weakening that panel? Actually it sheet metal over metal frame. Unless you cut the frame I don’t see how it weaken the garage door? :shrug:
Yes, it would weaken the panel. But, a strong wind could blow out the vent and create a hole in the door that could result in the entire door being destroyed during a storm. I think the sheet metal panels offer some protection against a wind storm. These doors are flimsy to start with.

[mntlblok]

The FACT (scientific fact) that hot air rises was covered in depth in high school physics.

Oh.

[Dusty_Star]

Oh.

You're cracking me up! :lipsrsealed:

[mntlblok]

You're cracking me up! :lipsrsealed:

'Twas my goal.

[Dusty_Star]

'Twas my goal.

Thank you! (even though, I must admit to a tiny bit of suspicion) Still laughing!

[kcrazorbackfan]

I wouldn't bother installing vents. They are not very effective and they weaken the door.

Not really. I’ve had them in both of the garage doors at the last 2 homes over 10 years and have been through some pretty good winds in that time, so, no it doesn’t weaken them. And, they are pretty effective; I have an attic fan in the garage, it not only keeps the garage cooler, it’s strong enough to push hot air out of the attic.

[RoadToad]

On my Linear opener if I press the remote when the garage door is going up it will stop in that position. Press it again it will go down.

That's how our Chamberlin openers work. Also our Genie at other house.
Frankly, have never heard of an opener that doesn't work this way.

[Driller703]

There are critters out there. Just say’n.

[JWGifford]

When it's hot I see some garage doors open about a foot- I assume to let the heat out. My garage seems to have just 2 positions- Open and Shut. Is there a way to program it to accomplish this? Thanks.
I’m intrigued by people who want to leave their garage doors open, add screens, vents, etc. I mean, garages are hot in the south. How much time are you spending in the garage? I can understand if you have a small shop or something, I guess. I’ve lived in the south my whole life and never even thought of cracking the garage door during the day. I’m in my air conditioned car within seconds. To each their own, I suppose, just interesting.

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[Byte1]

Yes, some garage doors can be stopped leaving a small opening. Some have already given their suggestions in that regard. The garage opening screen works very well for some ventilation and privacy, but the air is not going to be any cooler than it is outside. I had a screen and enjoyed working in the garage without passing by neighbors stopping to chat when I was busy. I try never to leave my garage door open very long because I have seen snakes and lizards, as well as wasps enter while I had it open. Last year, I finally installed foam insulation on the doors and it is better than I imagined. Before, if I brushed up against the garage door while the sun was shining on it, it would actually burn my elbow/arm. Now the garage is cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. I have not yet seen the necessity of installing a split unit in my garage, but that is easy to do also, and have been in garages with them and they are nice. If I was going to spend a lot of time in my garage, I would consider a split unit A/C.

[blueash]

Let me see if all you Einsteins can help me understand this hot air rises thing from high school physics. If it is 75 in my house and 60 outside and I want some fresh air there is no point opening the bottom panel of my window because hot air rises.

If I have a two story home, I certainly would not think about opening the main floor windows, just the second floor, because hot air rises.

And in the winter when I want to keep my home warm I don't have to worry about my front door not having an insulation barrier on the bottom edge because the cool air won't come in because hot air rises?

I noticed that even if my garage door is all the way up, there still is a significant space in my garage that is higher than the top of the opening. I guess no cool air will come into my garage because a low opening does nothing if the hot air can just hide higher up.

Seems to me that if there is a temperature difference between in my garage and the great outdoors that any hole at any height affords an opportunity for heat to move from the hotter side to the cooler side. But I guess not because hot.....

Now has anyone thought about how leaving the door open might allow animal entry?

[collie1228]

I don't believe a crack at the bottom of the garage door will have much of an effect on heat in the garage. And the snake possibility is very real - I had three different black snakes make an appearance in my garage. Then I put in screens and the problem ended until the day I was working in the garage with the door and screens open, and a black snake came right in as I was running a circular saw. Scared the devil out of me, but the spinning saw in his face probably scared him more.