Lowering Temp in Garage during Summer Heat
We live in the central valley in California where summer time temperatures reach 104 degrees and above on some days. Our house faces east, and we have un-insulated metal garage doors with 12 x 18 inch vinyl windows. The garage temperature reaches 120 degrees on these days. Last summer I put 2 inch thick foam board insulation on the inside of the doors, and covered the windows, and this brought the temperature down to around 92 degrees. But, unfortunately, this led to receiving a notice from the HOA, and I needed to remove the cover and insulation from behind the windows. (This is an example of an HOA working against the homeowners in the community.) I called the manufacturer of the garage doors, and they told me that the acrylic windows are pressed in, and are very difficult to remove. (My interest in doing this was to replace the acrylic windows with a solar reflecting glass since solar window films can not be used on acrylic. Additionally, I was hoping to use a darker glass so that I can use the foam board insulation on the back of the doors without it being seen from the street.) Having the manufacturer replace the top panel of the garage doors would cost about $1,500 for each of 2 doors…so this is not an option. Although the garage walls are finished, there is no insulation above the garage, and my guess is that this might also be contributing to the temperature in the garage. When the temperature outside hits 104, the rest of the house stays at about 82 degrees without air conditioning. There is 13 inches of insulation in the attic…except over the garage. I am open to any ideas…insulating the attic over garage, fans, etc, but I don’t know what would be the most effective. And I especially want to address covering the windows, as this seemed to be effective in lowing the temperature by 10 degrees. Can anyone please offer any ideas on how I can replace or cover the acrylic windows, and what else I might be able to do to lower the garage temperature? (Unfortunately, outdoor shading from a tall tree is not an option.)
Replies
If you can find the appropriate (ie, heat-reflecting) plastic material, you should be able to silicone pieces of transparent plastic behind the current windows. Cut the pieces to just fit in the frames of the existing windows, lay down a bead of silicone, and push into place.
While I generally don't like attic fans, I did have one in our garage for years, to remove the heat, and it worked pretty well (though our temps rarely exceed 95). I had it on a pair of switches, so I could turn it on, turn it to thermostat control, or turn it off entirely. But (one reason I don't like attic fans) maintaining the thing was a PITA -- went through two motors in 20 years, plus had the motor down to relube several times.
DanH...Thanks for the reply! Great idea with using silicone! I couldn't think of how to attach the material inside the existing frame of the acrylic windows without a lot of work, but silicone would be perfect for the job. And, thanks for your feedback on the attic fan. I didn't mention in my original write-up that the heat in the garage caught me off guard as we just moved in last spring, but it split some 16/4 mahogony, as well as ruined some tools (wooden planes) and furniture. I am determined to lower the temperature in the garage so that I might even be able to work in there, and I am guessing that it may require a number of different ideas.
What specifically was the HOA complaint? What are the exact rules regarding garage doors? I'm thinking just paint the inside of the windows white if there is no requirement that you have windows. That way they can't see what is behind the windows. I suppose if you were really creative, you could take a properly sized photograph of a garage packed floor to cieling with junk and paste a portion of that picute in each window. Then insulate behind the windows.
or photoshop a picture of the HOA president standing in an empty garage wearing womens underwear and put that in every window.
Funny...thanks for the laugh! The HOA insisted that the windows must be transparent. In this messed up community, garages are supposed to be clutter-fee, and no boats are to be kept in garages. They want the windows to be transparent so they can keep the homeowners honest. I have lived in HOA communities a couple of times before and never had any problems. But, here, I received 3 notices in the first 6 months including one for a scorched front lawn in the middle of August when every day was over 100 degrees! It hasn't been a year yet, but, sadly, I regret buying a home in this community. And now they are telling me that I need their approval for pouring concrete for a patio in the backyard, and the pagoda can not exceed 200 sq. ft. Can you believe that this is a middle class community in California? Big mistake buying a foreclosure in a city that you are not familiar with! I may use your idea just for spite if it don't get any better!
Your big problem is heat gain from the roof. Most hardware stores sell a bubble sheet with foil faces that can be stapled to your rafters. The will make a HUGE difference.
For the windows, forget about them. The biggest difference will be felt in the radiant barrier in the rafters.
xxPaulCPxx...Thank you, sir! I had a recent discussion with a contractor, and he told me not to bother insulating the attic over the garage as it would not help. I don't have much building knowledge, but I could not believe that a garage directly below the attic (under a concrete tile roof) that gets as hot as this one would not benefit from being insulated. I have heard of radiant barriers...but I don't know much about them. I will definitely try this, and I will know the outcome by July / August. Thank you very much for your help!
re:
"I will definitely try this, and I will know the outcome by July / August."
You ought to be able to notice the difference on any sunny day, I don't think you will have to wait that long.
Good luck.
woodchucks,
Don't waste your
woodchucks,
Don't waste your money on the bubble portion, just use the radiant foil. If you want to up the ante you could blow cellulose, it blocks radiant, convective and conductive.
I couldn't live in a place with all those rules, thank God I live in the woods.
KK
coonass,
Thanks for the input! And you're right about the rules. I'd be out there in the woods if I could. I know I'd be happy there...and leave all this bs behind.
Thanks, norman! I'm looking
Thanks, norman! I'm looking forward to trying this out.
You could have an inch or two of spray foam applied to the bottom of your roof, which would make a huge difference.
As for the clear windows, that seems stupid.
Thanks for suggestion on the foam. I will consider this as well as the radiant heat barrier.
Is a cupola out of the question?
I don't think that I could
I don't think that I could get HOA approval!