How to Heat Your Garage: Our Guide to the Best Garage Heating Ideas
If you use your garage for more than just storage, you’ll want to make sure that it’s comfortable enough to use for long periods at a time. Whether it’s been converted into an office, bedroom, home gym or is simply being repurposed as a workshop, figuring out the best way to heat your garage can be a challenge. In this article, we’re offering some garage heating tips so you can get an idea of which would best suit you.
Planning to heat your garage
Before we dive into the specifics, it’s worth noting the importance of planning. If you’re renovating your garage, it’s always best to plan your heating solution alongside the rest of the development instead of installing something retroactively. This allows you to tailor the installation to the design, ensuring everything works together. You can also adjust your designs if it becomes clear that something is no longer feasible.
Garage heating options
Installing garage insulation
Installing proper insulation is one of the simplest ways to heat a garage. If you don’t spend hours on end in your garage, you’ll probably be satisfied with keeping the space at a steady temperature — without spending a lot of money or installing anything too complicated. Insulation is reliable, easy to source and simple to install. You won’t be able to control the exact temperature in your garage, but it will keep things nice and warm in the winter.
An insulated garage door will also help to improve the internal temperature of your garage, so consider this when looking to replace your old door. Take a look at our guide to the best garage doors for insulation.
Electric space heater
For ultimate simplicity, you can’t go wrong with an electric space heater. As long as your garage has working electrics — and an outlet to plug it into — a space heater can provide heat as and when needed. Best for smaller garages where you only need to heat the immediate area, an electric space heater is portable, easy to use and cheap. However, there are some drawbacks worth taking into consideration:
- Space heaters won’t be very effective if your garage isn’t insulated; much of the heat will be lost as it won’t be kept inside
- Will take longer to heat up a garage
- Will only heat up the space around it, so not suitable for full-room heating
That said, they do make fantastic temporary heating solutions — just remember to turn them off and unplug them when you’re finished.
Sealed combustion heaters
For a more permanent heating solution, you might consider a sealed combustion heater. This method involves the installation of the heating unit, and its associated intake and ventilation pipes. The main draw of a sealed combustion heater is that it only takes air from the outside to be used in the combustion process. This means that no indoor air, which has already been heated, will be lost.
Sealed units come in many different sizes and styles, and there are strict requirements with regards to ventilation. But having one designed and installed for your garage by a professional installer will provide you with a heating solution which is efficient and effective.
Infrared heater
For a heating system which is quiet, easy to install, and doesn’t come with any outside complications, an infrared heater is ideal. Installed on the ceiling of the garage, an infrared heater doesn’t require any ventilation as it radiates heat throughout a room. They are more expensive than other options, but will make a garage nice and toasty without any noise, emissions or odours. Infrared heaters do take a while to warm a space up, but once they do you’ll be completely comfortable.
Underfloor heating
This is something you will definitely need to plan for. If you’re building a new garage or renovating an existing one, make sure to seek quotes and carry out surveys to ensure the space is properly prepared for it.
If feasible for your garage, underfloor heating is one of the most effective heating methods available, distributing warmth evenly throughout your garage.
Electric ceiling panels
These non-intrusive panels can be installed in the garage ceiling, radiating heat throughout the room. They heat up quickly and don’t require any ventilation, making them clean and compact. Functionally, these panels provide reliable heating for the entire garage, while aesthetically, they offer a contemporary visual appeal — ideal for an office or living space.
Solid fuel stove
For some, the traditional style of a wood-burning or coal stove carries strong appeal. However, this is a difficult thing to implement in a garage in terms of safety as well as logistics. Here are a few things you need to think about before making any plans to install a solid fuel stove in your garage:
- Smoke control zones — if you live in a smoke control area, then you’re not permitted to burn solid fuels.
- Safety — A solid fuel stove needs proper ventilation. This should be installed by a qualified professional. The stove itself should also be installed and maintained properly. Of course, with a stove like this, there comes a much higher fire risk than other heating solutions.
For many garages, a wood burner or coal fireplace simply isn’t feasible. However, for those turning their garage into a full-time living space, and who follow safety precautions at every stage — from planning, through to installation and maintenance — a solid fuel stove can be a satisfying choice.
If you’re looking to modernise or renovate your garage, the team at Doormatic can supply and install a brand new garage door to suit your exact needs. With a comprehensive selection of doors from leading manufacturers, you can rely on us to provide the best quality in terms of products and customer service. To find out more, simply contact us today.
