[Jubal Early]

The key here is to get the heat out of the attic. Heat from the attic will transfer down into the garage. So insulating the garage ceiling helps reduce the transfer. I install a garage attic fan which works great with 3 vents installed in the doors. You can feel the air flowing through the vents. However, I have determined this season so far with the stairway ceiling door opened 12" allows the air to flow into attic which helps keep the attic temps cooler.

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by charlieo1126@gmail.com

Been in Florida 30 years , 9 different homes all over state , I never did anything to the garage to cool it down and never had a problem . I think unless your living out there , it’s a waste of money . FYI during the virus I’m working out in garage , no Insulation , it’s fl it’s hot here

Exactly right. A complete waste of money trying to cool it, unless your bed is in the garage. No damage to cars, tools, or batteries, of which I have 11 Li-ion batteries for power tools.

[dewilson58]

insulate the ceiling. cheap and effective

[dewilson58]

Not naming names, but this is totally false: We typically do not recommend insulating ABOVE the garage unless you are adding A/C to the garage. Heat rises and when you insulate the garage ceiling you are also holding in the heat that comes from hot engines, etc.


Couple times over the last seven years I have been up in my garage attic in the summer and it is frig'n cooking up there compared to my garage. The insulation is keeping heat out of my garage......maybe my garage is magic.

[DangeloInspections]

Dear Robbie,
I have seen that garage ceiling fan installed in some garages here. It does not give the fire rating....I have also seen a few other brands that appear to have even a better firestop door. Understand that this may be overthinking, because of a few reasons....

1) There are already breeches in the garage drywall ceiling where plastic electrical boxes are installed in the garage ceiling.

2) Folks often install pull down stairs where the only material between the garage and the attic is 1/4 inch plywood, which has almost no fire rating.

3) There is no firestop between the garage attic and the attic above the rest of the home. (A requirement in some parts of the country.)

Remember, if you do install one of these fans, the GF-14 has 1350 CFM airflow, so you need to have that much open area for air intake. Some folks feel that cutting into a perfectly good garage door to install vents is not aesthetically pleasing, and may not be enough intake air. Also, when on this would disrupt the natural airflow in the attic by creating a positive pressure in the attic.

There are no easy answers. Bottom line is it gets hot here. It will always be as hot in the garage as it is outside. Comfort levels vary, what you do and how long you do it in the garage can also vary. Some folks do nothing and are fine...I have also seen garages totally insulated and Air conditioned with a Mini-split.

Frank D.

[Rapscallion St Croix]

I made my garage cooler by putting Chuck Norris posters all over the walls.

[DangeloInspections]

Originally Posted by Rapscallion St Croix

I made my garage cooler by putting Chuck Norris posters all over the walls.

That put a smile to my face. Haha!

[davem4616]

my garage faces north, so a little different exposure than you have....

We moved up from Ft Lauderdale, we never did anything special to the garage in Ft Lauderdale to keep it cool...and never had any issues

I had a fella blow insulation in attic above the garage here in TV....installed a pull down ladder going up to the attic and I also had an 'outdoor rated' ceiling fan installed over my workbench in the Garage....

reality is that we spend very little time in the garage

I agree with an earlier post, if you're planning to leave the garage door open, get a screen

[John_W]

Originally Posted by Rapscallion St Croix

I made my garage cooler by putting Chuck Norris posters all over the walls.

I don't know, I might have you beat. On my back garage wall framed with glass I've got Elvis, Marilyn and James Dean sitting at the counter of the Hollywood Diner, I just looked it up and they're selling for $400. I also have a nice Jim Morrison 1943 - 1971 The Doors Movie Rolling Stone poster framed with glass.

[rjm1cc]

Mine gets no more than 10 degrees hotter than outside during the day. No heat problem .

[PJ_Smiley]

I installed fan above workbench in back of garage - Lowe's: Fanimation Studio Collection Blitz 56-in Brushed Nickel LED Indoor/Outdoor Ceiling Fan with Light Kit and Remote (7-Blade) provides airflow up to 7,241-CFM. I left the light kit off, so the height is just right. It may be 80 degrees in garage, but when the fan kicks in, it cools the area below, so it's comfortable to work.

[JohnN]

I had Solar Guys put in an electric (not solar) exhaust fan on the garage ceiling up into the attic and a couple of vents in the garage door. My garage is actually pretty cool and the cost was $100+ and uses very little electricity I've had it 8 years now and I'm quite happy with it.

[karostay]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

When you insulate the garage door, that will only slow down, but not prevent, heat transfer into the garage. So, it may take a little longer for the garage to heat up during the day. But, the garage will still heat up to the same temperature as it would without the insulation.

My question if your door is insulated
Doesn't it have a reverse effect by holding the heat in when the evenings cool off

[bobnyce]

I have an attic fan which helped cool the attic and also reflective insulation on the inside of the garage door which seems to help. Also, when I replace my water heater in the garage, I plan on considering a heat pump style water heater which runs like your heat pump in the winter to heat water by taking heat from the air. I have heard that they may actually cool your garage while heating your water.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by karostay

My question if your door is insulated
Doesn't it have a reverse effect by holding the heat in when the evenings cool off

Yes, you are correct. In the evening, the heat transfer reverses, so it will take longer for the garage to cool off. Insulation slows down the transfer of heat energy from a hot space to a cooler space.