How Does The Summer Weather Affect Your Garage Door?

The summer weather can be hard on your garage door and garage door tracks. Summer proof your garage door and learn about garage door maintenance here.

What Warm Weather Can Do To Your Garage Door

It is not only precipitation like snow, ice, and hail that affect your garage door; these hot summer days can do the same. If you don’t take precautions, the summer sun can really damage your garage door. Luckily, we do not have extreme humidity to contend with in Colorado, but the dry heat presents its own set of problems, and in summer, the hail and rains can be damaging.

Your garage door has a pair of photo-eyes which are able to sense obstructions underneath the overhead door. They signal the garage door to reverse in order to avoid crushing whatever is in its path. The photo-eyes are not always able to differentiate between a beam of direct sunlight and an actual obstruction.

This can be prevented by shading the electronic eye with cardboard or a different opaque, flexible material such aluminum foil. Some sensor manufacturers produce these eyeshades for the sensors. You should contact your garage door installation professionals to inquire about having these installed. Alternatively, you can get a technician to flip the receiver and sender sensor; this might eliminate the sunlight interference.

Electronics are sensitive to extreme temperatures; heat can affect the sensors and the wiring for the operator motor. An insulated garage door will help to prevent this. Keeping your garage cool will go a long way toward protecting these sensitive components from excessive heat. In the same way that you prepare your garage door system for the onslaught of the cold winter months, you can get a garage door professional to tune-up and prepare your door for summer by making some heat-related adjustments. 

Remember, extreme heat could cause damage and premature aging to your garage door. Installing a garage door threshold seal can help to protect your garage and its contents. The seals are UV protected so they will not get damaged by the sun or rain. Most seals are made of durable PVC and can withstand the weight of even the heaviest cars.

Why Insulating Your Garage Is Essential in Hot Weather

Insulation plays a vital role in protecting your garage from the harsh summer heat. Without proper insulation, your garage can quickly turn into an oven, with the heat from the sun penetrating the exterior walls and making the space uncomfortable. By adding insulation, you can keep cool air inside and reduce the transfer of hot air into the garage. Insulate your garage not only to maintain a more comfortable temperature but also to protect the valuable items you store inside, such as your vehicle and any tools or electronics that could suffer from heat exposure.

Insulation helps maintain a stable temperature and prevents extreme heat from damaging the interior of your garage. This is particularly important if your garage is connected to your home, as heat transfer can make your entire house warmer, increasing the strain on your air conditioning system. By considering the addition of high-quality insulation, you’ll significantly reduce energy costs while making your garage more livable during the hot summer months.

How Hot, Dry Weather Affects Garage Door Openers

Heat can affect the running of your garage door. On a typical summer day, an uninsulated garage can heat up to over 100 degrees. As with any machine that has moving parts, changes in temperature can have an impact on their operation.

When the mercury rises, the metal on the bracket and rails of your garage door expands, sometimes causing the safety sensors to become misaligned. If your door does not operate on a hot day, check to see if there are any blinking lights on the sensors. This indicates that the sensors are misaligned, and are in need of repair.

If the weather is extremely hot, it is possible that a garage door opener can overheat with just a few cycles within a 15 minute timeframe. If you are working on your garage door opener, be aware of this possibility and be sure not to overheat your system.

How to Keep Your Garage Cool During the Summer

Maintaining a comfortable garage in the summer can be challenging, especially when temperatures rise. One of the most efficient ways to cool your garage is by using a portable air conditioner. A portable air conditioner is a great option if you don’t want to invest in a permanent cooling system. Pairing this with ventilation solutions, such as fans or vents, can help push out hot air and bring in cooler air, keeping the space comfortable.

Another key strategy is to open your garage door at strategic times during the day to allow airflow and prevent stagnant air from building up. For instance, you’ll want to open your garage during the cooler morning or evening hours to let in fresh air and close it during the hottest part of the day. This approach can help prevent your garage from becoming too hot and sweltering like an oven. Installing fans near the ceiling can also help circulate air, improving overall temperature control.

Protecting Your Garage Door from Heat: Seals, Paint, and Reflective Surfaces

Prolonged exposure to the sun can cause your garage door to fade, crack, or weaken over time. Protecting your garage door from the summer sun begins with the right seal. Installing a garage door threshold seal can block out heat from the sun, moisture, and debris. These seals are usually UV-resistant and designed to withstand the harshest weather conditions, making them an excellent investment for summer-proofing your garage.

In addition to seals, consider using reflective or lighter paint colors on your garage door. Lighter colors reflect sunlight, reducing heat absorption and preventing the door from getting too hot. Repaint your garage door with a lighter color to both maintain its aesthetic appeal and enhance its functionality. Reflective surface treatments can also minimize heat build-up, helping you maintain a cooler garage even in the middle of summer.

Improving Garage Ventilation for Optimal Airflow

Improving your garage’s ventilation is a crucial step in maintaining a comfortable space during the summer months. Proper airflow prevents the build-up of hot air, which can make your garage feel like an oven. Adding roof or wall vents is one effective way to let cool air inside and allow hot air to exit. For optimal results, consider using an exhaust fan near the ceiling, which can help push out hot, stagnant air and pull in cooler air from outside.

To keep your garage cooler efficiently, it’s important to reduce clutter that can block air from circulating. A well-ventilated garage will not only be cooler, but it will also help prevent issues like mold or excess moisture. Ventilation paired with insulation is a great way to control the temperature in your garage and ensure the space remains usable and comfortable throughout the summer.

How to Prevent Damage to Your Garage Door

The sun beating down constantly on your garage door through the hot summer months will cause the paint to fade. Although this does not affect the functionality of the garage door, the aesthetic appeal diminishes and this affects your property value.

Wooden garage doors need to be sealed regularly and our driest month, June, is the perfect time to undertake this task. Wood tends to lose its beauty fast if not maintained. Pre-empt damage caused by our unpredictable weather patterns by taking care of your most precious asset – your home.

Tri-Lakes Garage Doors is a Colorado licensed and fully insured company with over 20 years of experience and expertise in serving homeowners and businesses in the Fort Range area. Get in touch with us today for the best options when it comes to summer proof garage doors.