It’s summer, and that means fun in the sun! But if you’re working on your car in your oak garage, using it as a home gym or entertainment area, or use the space as a home office, then the hot weather may be a little too much for you. Luckily, there’s plenty you can do to your oak garage to make it a cool, comfortable space no matter what the weather is doing outside. Here’s some top tips to cool your garage from the Monarch Oak team.
Heat and Humidity- a Sapping Combo
Unlike parts of the world that have hotter weather all-year-round, the UK can get very muggy when the worst of the summer heat hits. This means indoor temperatures, particularly for outbuildings like garages and oak sun rooms, can get a little bit unpleasant even when the day is rather nice. Small things, like the colour of your garage, which direction it faces, how often vehicles are used after a long day on the road, and other factors can all contribute to the space feeling a little too hot to handle. Luckily, help is at hand.
Work Now, Park Later
You’d be surprised how quickly a hot vehicle can heat up the space around it- and continue to radiate heat for hours after it’s shut off. If it’s been a warm day, and you want to use the garage for something else, you may want to park the vehicle outside to cool down a little before you bring it in. Of course, don’t forget to go outside and repark it later!
If you have gym equipment, or other usable space, in the garage, or you’re planning a marathon day working on the car, it’s also smart to plan around the best times of day to work there. Heat typically peaks at about 3pm, lasting into the evening, so a morning or evening session can be far cooler and more productive.
Your Number 1 Fan
It’s less common to have a whole-house HVAC or air conditioning system in the UK than it is in North America. Of course, if you already have one, you can look at adding the system to the garage, but it’s often a large cost for less reward than it’s worth.
Luckily, the benefit of a smaller and enclosed space with less glasswork to heat it up is that even a small breeze can help make the space far more comfortable. Oscillating house fans are a cheap, simple, and low-energy solution to a hot space, and a little goes a long way. Position them so they blow the hot internal air outside to create circulating, cooling air.
Decorate Lightly
One of the biggest benefits of an oak garage is that oak is naturally insulative. When you have great insulation, outside temperature fluctuations matter a lot less. While you can opt to upgrade the insulation in your garage through means like in-roof insulation layers or insulation for the doors, you’ll find it’s pretty effective as-is. Add a weather strip and some silicone caulking to your doors and windows, and you’ll find you have a lovely space as is.
Oak is also a naturally light-colored wood, meaning it reflects a lot more heat than other building materials. You can amp up this effect by choosing colour schemes and paint that is also light colored.
Add Ventilation
You likely didn’t add a window to your oak garage design unless you’re building an office or other room into the plan. This is great when it comes to heat management- a lot of energy is lost through glass in the winter, and windows can really increase heating in a small space during summer. If you do opt to install glazing anywhere in your new oak structure, look for energy-efficient windows and double glazing. This will cut down on the swap of heat and cold to the outdoors, keep electricity bills lean, and the space comfortable.
You can easily add an aftermarket ventilation fan to your roof if you want a little more airflow, too. These are very easy to install, and passive systems don’t need external power- they’re powered by natural air movement. These also help prevent exhaust gases from building up if you often work on your car, so they’re a win-win. Obviously, you can look at a full air conditioning system if it’s an important space you use often, but that will be pricier.
Clean Up
Not only is having a lot of clutter in your garage a bad idea for cooling airflow, it also can take a toll on your mind and the comfort you feel in your own home. If your oak garage or garden room is already packed to the brim with junk, it might be time for a spring clean. Not only will you create a calmer, breezier space, but your home will look better and you can use the garage to its full capabilities.
There’s a wide range of budget-friendly garage storage solutions you can look at, too. From bicycle racks and overhead storage to cabinets, tool boxes and racks, and much more, it will create a homely space you enjoy using, and help you work more comfortably, too.
If you find you’re struggling with humidity, not just heat, in your garage, you may want to invest in a dehumidifier for the space. This will help offset the UK’s naturally high humidity levels, and keep items in storage free from rust and damp issues all-year-round, so it’s a great investment for the right space. Luckily, those insulative oak properties do help reduce the issue naturally, but sometimes a little help is needed.
When the weather is hot outside, you want to be able to make the most of your time in your favourite home spaces. These simple additions to your oak garage or home office can help create a comfortable, usable space that’s cosy in winter and cool in summer. Remember, the Monarch Oak team is always here to help you make a home you can truly be proud of, so if you have any other questions about oak garages, feel free to reach out today.