The Best Way to Cool a Garage

Air Flow

• One of the quickest ways to keep a space cool is to increase the air flow. Not all garages have a window, but most have at least two doors. Keep the large garage doors and any access doors wide open during the morning and the evening. If you have windows, keep them open as well. Place two fans in the space: one blowing air in from the coolest point outdoors and one blowing air out into the hottest point.

Shade

• Sunlight heats things up very fast. An uninsulated garage roof is one of the chief reasons garages get so much hotter than other parts of your house. Pay attention to where the sun shines into your garage and take steps to block the sunlight. Shades or curtains over windows and doorways are a good start. If your garage faces south or west, consider an awning or other sun shade to block direct sunlight from entering your garage.

Activity

• Many garage activities generate plenty of heat on their own. If you run hot machinery, work on cars or work out in your garage try to schedule those activities for cooler parts of the day. During peak hours of summer heat (noon to four in the afternoon), either stick with cooler tasks or leave the garage altogether.

The Best Method

• The best method for cooling your garage will depend on the specifics of your garage. Usually, it's an appropriate combination of all three. When determining the best setup for your space, consider the number of windows and doors, what kind of natural shade exists, what you want to use your garage for, where the door faces and the times you'll need to use your garage.