How to Keep a Room Above the Garage Warm
Having a room above your garage can be a great space. You can use it as an extension to the workshop, or a place to hang out with your friends. There is only one drawback. If it’s not insulated properly, it can get very cold.
Thankfully, this is a problem that is relatively easy to solve. Let’s take a closer look at why this room is so cold and what can be done to warm it up.
Are Rooms Above the Garage Cold
One of the most common issues that you might experience is that the room above the garage never has a pleasant temperature. Sometimes, it will be too cold. At other, times, though, it can be too hot. To understand why this is happening, we need to know about the basics of airflow.
Air will flow freely where there are no barriers. When the colder weather starts to move in, the cold air won’t encounter any obstacles, flowing easily into the room above your garage. This is why warming these rooms can be so difficult.
The warm air will naturally want to flow back outside, to restore the temperature differential. Without any barrier to stop the air, it will be cooling at the same rate as you are pumping in hot air. This is why it can seem like the room is impossible to heat.
Often, these issues will stem from a lack of insulation. It’s common for builders to view these spaces as an afterthought. Because of this, they won’t put the same attention into these areas as they do other parts of the main house. This means that it won’t have the same level of insulation as the rest of the house.
Checking for Insulation
There is an easy way to determine if a lack of insulation is the cause of the problem. You just need to remove the electrical box. Before you do this, make sure that you have turned off the power. Then, you just need to carefully pry the box from the wall.
As you are doing this, you should be able to see if there are any batons or loose-fill insulation. Once you have finished, you should be able to pop the box back into place.
Another option that you can explore is drilling a small hole in the wall. You want to do this at the base of the wall, just above the baseplate. Make sure you do this in a place that doesn’t have any studs. Ideally, the drill should come out with pieces of insulation on it. If not, you can stick an inspection scope into the hole. This will give you a clear view of what is inside the wall.
It’s also important to look at the areas where the two types of materials meet. These joins can be an area that air can flow through. This could be what is causing your problems. You might see cracks in the joints, which the air can get through.
It should be noted that sometimes the insulation can degrade over time. This might be the reason why older homes start to develop a draft. It will degrade faster if it is left uncovered.
Other Reasons Why the Room Might be Cold
While lack of insulation is the most common problem, particularly in the garage, there are a few other issues that to consider. Let’s briefly look at what these are and how you can fix them.
Heating Vents
If you have central heating, the warm will air will come through the vents. Sometimes, though, you might be blocking them with furniture. Or they can get clogged with dust. This stops the heat from coming into the room.
If the exterior looks okay, place your hand over the grill. If you can’t feel the warm air, it might indicate an internal problem. A common issue is rodents in the vents. Take off the vent and take some pictures with a smartphone to see if you can spot the problem. If you can’t identify the blockage, you might need to call in a professional.
Leaks in the Ducts
Sometimes, the issue might stem from a leaky duct, which disrupts the flow of air around the home. If you can find this leak, you might be able to fix it yourself. You can apply a gap sealing spray to the cracked area. This should plug the leak. Though, if it gets worse, you might need to consider replacing that section of ducting.
Faulty Thermostat
The thermostat is responsible for telling you the central heating system how hot or cold the room is. If it is inaccurate, it can be a major problem. The easiest way to test this is to purchase a thermostat from the hardware store and put it next to the one in the room. Wait for half an hour and compare the readings. If it is more than a degree off, it can indicate an issue.
How to Insulate a Garage
If a lack of insulation is the problem, don’t despair. There are some easy ways to get a well-insulated garage. Let’s take a closer look at some of the methods that you might want to use.
Insulating Attic Above Unheated Garage
If there is a lack of insulation in the room, there are some simple ways that you can solve this problem. You can get insulation batts or loose-fill. But this can be cumbersome.
Usually, the best option is to use garage spray foam insulation. This will be easy to apply. You should be able to finish foam insulating your garage within the day. It will last for a long time. It’s estimated that this type of insulating won’t need to be replaced for 50 years.
Preparing the Area
The first thing that you need to do is make sure that you have prepared the area properly. This can be quite a messy process. You can put down some newspaper to protect your furniture. It’s also a good idea to wear some old clothes.
Sometimes, you might need to prepare the place where you want to put the insulation. You’ll need to make sure that they are clean. If there are uneven surfaces, you might need to sand them down a bit. This will ensure that the spray will bind smoothly to the surface.
You might also want to spray some water over the area. This will ensure that the foam will curl properly.
Finally, if this is your first time using the spray, it can be a bit tricky. Because of this, you might want to try practicing on a piece of paper before you do it on the real thing. This will get you used to the flow of the insulation, allowing you to apply it evenly.
Applying the Foam
Once the area has been prepared, it’s time to start applying the foam. Before you do this, read through the instructions. When you are ready to start, you want to move as smoothly as possible.
Then, you just need to wait for the insulation to expand. How long this takes can vary depending on the type of spray that you are using. The basic expansion will start within a few minutes. But you will often need to give it at least a day before it is fully hardened.
Applying the foam is fairly simple. But there is a common mistake. Putting too much insulation spray into the crack. When it expands, it can make the area look unprofessional. Thankfully, there is an easy way to solve this problem. You just need to take a knife and remove any excess.
Calling in a Professional
While you might be able to apply a small area by yourself. But if you need to do the entire room it’s best to call in a professional. They will be able to use specialized tools and equipment. This gives you the peace of mind of knowing that the job has been done properly. Plus, getting it wrong might risk damaging your home and will fail to stop the drafts. This can be an expensive mistake. Professionals also know how to deal with mold that may have infiltrated the room’s walls.
Insulating Garage Door
If you reduce the amount of air that is coming into the garage, it will be a lot easier to keep the room above the garage warm. But insulating around a door can be a slightly more difficult job. You can’t close the cracks using expandable foam. If you did this, you wouldn’t be able to open the door again. Thankfully, there is another option that you can explore. You might want to get a vinyl weatherstrip. This will block out unwanted drafts.
To make sure that you are getting the right size, you’ll need to measure the weatherstrip. Then, you simply need to attach the strips to the door. Most will just screw into place. This video will walk you through the process.
Another option is applying foam spray insulation around the door frame. You can check if this is needed by seeing if there are any cracks, which could be letting in the air. On a sunny day, close the door. If you can see light coming in, it’s a sign that the door needs to be insulated.
How to Insulate a Garage Ceiling With a Room Above it
You don’t just need to think about how you are insulating the room. You also need to make sure that there is adequate insulation on the roof of the garage.
You can follow the same principles we described above, applying the layer of expanding foam to the ceiling. But there is another option that you can explore. You can call in a professional company. There are a few reasons why it might beneficial in this case.
First, the roof is harder to reach. Standing on a ladder to reach can be a problem, you don’t want to lose your balance and fall off. Plus, there might be electrical wiring and plumbing installed on the roof. You’ll need to be careful around these technical elements. You don’t want to accidentally damage them.
The good news is that a professional spray foam installation for a garage doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg. You can choose an affordable, professional service. Before you begin, get them to give you a quote, so you have a better idea of how much you will be expected to pay. You can then compare this figure to other local builders to make sure that you are getting a good deal.
The Benefits of Insulating a Garage
As we mentioned, a well-insulated garage will be a lot easier to keep warm. But this isn’t the only benefit that you will be able to unlock. Here are some of the other benefits to consider.
Lower Electricity Cost
If you are searching for an easy way to save money, insulation is the best option. As there is less airflow, you won’t need to spend as much money trying to heat the space.
Stops Sound Traveling
For many people, the garage is a place to use power tools and other loud equipment. When you have used foam insulation, it will help to contain the sound. This ensures that you won’t end up annoying everyone else in the house.
Lower Carbon Footprint
Since you are using less electricity, you will be producing less carbon. This is better for the environment.
Boosts the Value of Your Home
If you don’t like the room above the garage always being too cold or too hot neither will a potential buyer. Though it can often go overlooked, a well-insulated garage can be a selling point. The buyer won’t need to put in any work to make it a workable space. Because of this, they will be able to take the money that they would have made and add it to the purchase price, putting more cash in your pocket.
Better for Your Health
Finally, a well-insulated garage will be a good way of improving your health. If you are spending too much time in a cold environment, it can start to compromise your immune system. There is a greater risk that you will get certain diseases, like catching a cold. You shouldn’t have to rug up to work in your garage.
Other Ways to Make the Room Above a Garage Warmer
While garage foam insulation is a good option, it isn’t the only way that you can warm up the space. There are a few other options that you can explore.
Adding a Heater
This is often the first thing that a lot of people try. There are plenty of heaters that you can use, depending on the type of garage you have. For example, if you have a larger space, it might be best to use a gas heater. This will put out a lot of warmth, but you will need to be careful about using it in an enclosed space.
Another option is to use an electric heater. You can use a radiant bar heater that is attached to the wall, radiating heat down into the room. Or you can use a fan heater which sits in the corner.
However, as we mentioned, adding a heater won’t be effective unless you have insulated the room first. If you haven’t done this properly, there is a risk that the heat will seep out of the cracks in the walls. You’ll be left cold with a significantly higher electricity bill.
Using a Draft Stopper
Even though you have insulated the room, you might still feel a draft coming from under the door. Thankfully, there is an easy way to prevent this. You can use a draft stopper. All you need to do is lay this under the door, it will block the wind, making it easier to warm the room.
Get More Thickly Glazed Windows
Sometimes, the glazing on the windows can be a problem. If it isn’t thick enough, the warm air could be leaking out through the glass. While this won’t be as dramatic as a lack of insulation, it can still make it harder to keep the room warm. There is an easy way to solve this problem. You can get double-glazed windows. This is a good solution if you plan to spend an extended period in the room.
Get a Thick Blanket
Hopefully, by now, the room is at a more comfortable temperature. But in a harsh winter, you might still need to have a thick blanket if you plan on staying in the room for an extended period. Besides, there is nothing better than rugging up under a warm blanket during the winter months.
Final Thoughts
The room above a garage can be very draughty. This can make it very hard to keep warm during the winter, as cold air is always flowing in. Thankfully, there are some ways to stop this problem. The best choice is usually to have more insulation. This will stop the hot air from escaping. Hopefully, these tips will ensure that you don’t need to rug up before making a trip to the garage.