How To Prevent Car Theft: 11 Tips Every Driver Should Know
Approximately 800,000 vehicles are stolen in the U.S. every year. That works out to one car theft every 39 seconds. In Canada, about 80,000 vehicles per year end up in the hands of thieves.
Summer's arrival brings thoughts of sunshine, barbecues, and carefree days. However, for many homeowners, the season also brings a hidden foe – the scorching garage. Unlike the cool haven of your air-conditioned house, garages often become sweltering infernos. This doesn't have to be your summer reality. With a few tweaks, you can transform your once-unbearable garage into a cool and comfortable space. This guide delves into practical solutions and trending ideas to help you reclaim your garage this summer, turning it into a space you can enjoy. Why Garages Get So Hot Before we dive into solutions, let's understand the culprits behind a hot garage. Lack of Insulation: Unlike your house, most garages have minimal to no insulation. This allows scorching summer heat to easily penetrate the walls and door, turning your garage into an extension of the outdoors. Direct Sunlight: South-facing windows and a lack of shade allow sunlight to directly heat the interior of your garage, further contributing to the rising temperature. Poor Ventilation: Stagnant air traps heat, making the garage feel even hotter. Inadequate ventilation systems or a lack of airflow prevent cool air from entering and hot air from escaping. Strategies for a Comfortable Garage Now that we know the enemy's tactics, let's explore some practical strategies to combat them: Insulate for Year-Round Comfort Think of insulation as an invisible shield protecting your garage from temperature extremes. Here are your options: Garage Door Insulation: Upgrade your existing garage door to an insulated model. This significantly reduces heat transfer, keeping your garage cooler in summer and warmer in winter. Wall Insulation: Installing insulation batts or foam boards in your garage walls creates a barrier against heat transfer. This is a more permanent solution that offers year-round benefits. The Power of Ventilation: Proper ventilation is crucial for expelling hot air and drawing in cooler air. Here are some effective methods: Natural Ventilation: Take advantage of cooler mornings and evenings by opening your garage door to create a cross breeze. Strategically placing windows can also help promote natural airflow. Exhaust Fans: Installing high-powered exhaust fans near the ceiling is a great way to remove hot air that rises naturally. Consider pairing them with box fans placed near ground level to draw in cooler air. Solar-Powered Roof Vents: Eco-conscious homeowners can opt for solar-powered roof vents. These vents operate automatically, drawing out hot air without relying on electricity. Outsmart the Sun Direct sunlight is a major contributor to garage heat. Here's how to combat it: Planting Trees: Planting shade trees strategically around your garage can significantly reduce the amount of direct sunlight it receives. Opt for fast-growing, deciduous trees that provide shade in the summer and allow sunlight in during cooler months. Reflective Window Film: If your garage has south-facing windows, consider applying reflective window film. This film acts as a barrier, deflecting heat, and UV rays from entering your garage. Light-Colored Paint: Darker colors absorb heat, while lighter colors reflect it. Painting your garage door and exterior walls with light-colored paint, like white or beige, can significantly reduce heat absorption and keep your garage cooler naturally. Smart Technology for a Smarter Garage Technology can be your ally in maintaining a cool garage. Here are some smart solutions to consider: Smart Garage Door Openers: Upgrade to a smart garage door opener that allows you to remotely control the door. This enables you to strategically open the door during cooler evenings to ventilate the space and close it during the peak heat of the day. Smart Thermostats: If you plan on using a portable air conditioner in your garage, consider pairing it with a smart thermostat. This allows you to remotely control the temperature and program the AC to turn on only when needed. Declutter and Organize for Improved Airflow A cluttered garage not only hinders your ability to use the space but also traps heat and diminishes air circulation. Dedicate a weekend to decluttering and organizing your belongings. Utilize slatwall panels, cabinets, and overhead storage solutions to maximize space and improve airflow within your garage. Bonus Tip Summer heat often brings increased humidity. A dehumidifier can be a game-changer in your garage. Not only will it make the air feel cooler, but it will also help prevent mold and mildew growth, protecting your stored belongings. By implementing these strategies, you can transform your once-unbearable garage into a cool, comfortable space. See how Garage Living can help. Please share this post if you found it useful. See also: The Ultimate Guide to Organization & Storage The Garage Makeover Guide for Entertaining Friends and Family Garage Storage Solutions for Your Bikes
Approximately 800,000 vehicles are stolen in the U.S. every year. That works out to one car theft every 39 seconds. In Canada, about 80,000 vehicles per year end up in the hands of thieves.
Going solar has many benefits, and experimenting with solar power on only your garage can help you determine if it would be worth it to power your entire home with solar energy. Using solar in your garage can particularly be beneficial if you use your garage on a daily basis for purposes other than just parking – such as using it as a workshop, a fitness room, or an entertainment space.
If a garage floor is filled with clutter, one of the things occupying some of that valuable floor space might be one or more sets of tires. A larger 3 or 4-car garage owner may be able to stash their spare tires in a corner and still have enough space for the garage to be functional and allow for indoor parking. In smaller garages or even large garages where every parking spot is occupied, however, those extra tires can infringe on the space that is needed to use the room how you want. A home tire storage system is the perfect solution for anyone who has encountered such a problem. Here’s everything you need to know about storing extra tires in the garage properly.
With many jobs moving remote during the pandemic, working from home is the new normal. If you have been considering converting your garage into a more functional space, using it as a home office may be the best move. Depending on the size of your garage, you can either fully convert your garage into an office, or you can have the option to still park a car in your garage as well.
By Chi Whitley Housing prices have increased by 81.5% in the United States over the last decade. This has caused homeowners to rethink moving to a larger home and seniors looking to downsize are more reluctant to re-enter the housing market.
Most of us never have enough garage storage space. It isn’t surprising why – the garage is one of the biggest rooms in a house. Along with basements and attics, that makes it a magnet for clutter and those extra things we can’t figure out what to do with. After years of being the home’s dumping ground, the garage floor space starts to gradually disappear. Eventually, the garage becomes so packed that there’s no room to park vehicles anymore. Does this sound familiar?
When renovating your garage, something you should take into consideration is whether or not you want your garage to have windows. Adding windows to the garage can have many benefits, especially if you plan to use your garage for more than just storage.
As gas prices soar to record highs and are expected to keep climbing in the immediate future, electric vehicles are looking more appealing to consumers. Whereas electric vehicles (EVs) were once viewed as a fad or novelty, now it’s widely agreed that electric mobility is the way of the future – whether some of us are ready or not.
When your garage is piled high with storage, it can feel like an overwhelming task to start organizing it. While using a garage for extra storage may have started with the intention of keeping it organized and maintained, over time it becomes a place to store junk rather than valued home items.
Along with storing vehicles, the garage is mainly used as a storage space for all your extra household items that you don’t want in your home. Because it’s used for storage, items tend to build up over time, causing the garage to become overcrowded and very cluttered. Many people have so much junk in their garage, they can’t even use it for its core purpose: storing vehicles.