Winter-Proof Your Metal Garage: Tips For Cold Weather Preparation
3 min read
If you have a metal building as a parking garage on your property, it’s time to winter-proof it. Even if you live in a place with minimal snow, the temperature may drop near the freezing point. To avoid these unpleasant months, it is crucial to winterize your parking garage structure. Most people don’t insulate their garages, and that’s why they have difficulty revamping them. Adding insulation reduces heat transfer, keeping indoors cozy and warm in winter and cool in summer.
Importance Of Winter-Proofing Your Metal Garage
- It protects stored items.
- It prevents structural damage.
- It makes the parking garage building an energy-efficient space.
- It creates a comfortable space to work and spend a few hours.
- It increases the lifespan of your metal garage.
Preparing Your Metal Garage For The Winter Freeze: Top Tips
1. Insulate Walls And Ceiling To Retain Heat
Insulating walls and ceilings with the correct R-value will reduce heat transfer to and from the building. It also decreases the chances of condensation. For an unfinished parking garage structure, you can opt for fiberglass batt insulation. Moreover, installing weatherstripping on doors and windows will provide extra insulation.
If weather stripping exists, check and repair them to prevent draft buildup inside. You can replace them if necessary.
2. Seal Gaps And Cracks To Prevent Drafts
Inspect your garage for any gaps, cracks, or holes. If you find any, seal them with caulk or foam sealant to prevent cold air from entering the parking garage building. Don’t forget to check seals and hinges on the moving parts, such as doors and windows.
You can also use silicone-based waterproof sealant for longevity.
3. Use Space Heater Or Heated Flooring For Warmth
Consider adding a garage heater to maintain a comfortable temperature. When choosing a heater, ensure it is designed for the garage to avoid any fire hazard. Add a dehumidifier to avoid moisture buildup.
If your garage is multi-functional, consider installing flooring heating to create a cozy living and work space inside.
4. Clean Your Metal Garage
Clean the interior and exterior of the garage before the beginning of autumn. Remove dirt, debris, and any items that could attract nesting pests. With a metal garage parking structure, you don’t have to worry about termites or rodents chewing its panels. A thorough cleaning will make any damage visible.
Use warm water and mild soap to clean a steel garage space. Then, let it air dry before storing items. For stubborn stains and bird droppings on the roof, opt for a soft bristle brush to scrape them off without fading the paint or coating on the metal surface.
5. Organize And Store Items
Avoid creating a cutter. Invest in sturdy, good-quality shelves, racks, sturdy hooks, etc., to store stuff. If your parking garage building is taller, you can install an overhead rack. First, check if the roof can support the weight of the rack and items in it.
Install small hole pegboards for storing smaller items, and for heavier items, consider large hole pegboards. Stuff lying on the floor can be damaged by ice or melting snow.
6. Protect Pipes By Insulating Them
Are there any exposed pipes in your garage? If yes, it is time to insulate them with foam, mineral wool, or fiberglass insulation to prevent freezing. This will avert crack development or hindrance in water flow.
7. Dedicated Area For Wet Clothing & Shoes
Create a separate space for hanging wet clothing, jackets, and snow shoes. During winter, water, salt, slush, and dirt cling to shoes and vehicles’ tires. To avoid this, create a dedicated space at the entrance of your metal parking garage building.
Road salt should be removed from your shoes and the car’s tires, wheel wells, brakes, body panels, exhaust systems, and suspension components before parking.
8. Store Sand For Icy Conditions
It’s not necessary, yet you can keep sand in a container to spread it over an icy driveway. Sand works better in extremely low temperatures. When spread on top of ice, it makes it easier to drive.
Keep Your Garage Safe & Secure For Winter Months
By upgrading to an insulated garage and following the tips we mentioned above, you can keep indoors nice and toasty during winter. If your metal parking garage structure has any cracks, gaps, or dents, fix them before the arrival of the icy chilly season. Don’t forget to weatherstrip and insulate your garage doors for maximum warmth.
