10 Best Ways To Warm Up Your Garage In the Winter

Winter is tough enough without having to bundle up just to grab a screwdriver from your garage. If you’re tired of starting your projects with a shiver, it’s time to rethink how you heat your garage.

We’ve looked to the experts at Bob Vila for 10 effective ways to keep your workspace warm, no matter how low the temperature drops outside.

From extending your home’s heating system to laying down a simple rug, we’ve got solutions that’ll make your garage a place where you can work—and maybe even hang out—comfortably all winter long.

Insulate Your Garage Door

Your garage door is probably a major source of the chill in your workspace, especially if it’s made of thin metal. Insulating your garage door is a game-changer, potentially raising the indoor temperature by up to 12 degrees without even turning on a heater.

DIY kits make this upgrade pretty easy. Make sure to measure your door to get the right fit. If you have a larger or double garage door, you might need more than one kit. This step could be the difference between a freezer and a comfortable retreat.

Cover Your FLoor

Cold concrete floors can turn your garage into an icebox, making any floor-level work pretty terrible. Here’s a simple fix: cover your floor.

Laying down indoor/outdoor rugs can provide a quick, temporary warmth and are easy to clean with just a sweep or a leaf blower. For a more permanent solution, consider interlocking rubber mats, like those used in gyms. They not only insulate against the cold but also offer a padded surface that’s easier on your feet and knees during long projects.

Expand Your Mini-Split System to the Garage

If you’re already enjoying the benefits of a ductless mini-split system in your home, why not extend it to the garage? This could be an easy addition if your existing compressor can handle the extra load.

Mini-splits are efficient for both heating and cooling, making them a year-round solution for your garage space. Though the initial setup cost might be higher compared to basic space heaters, the long-term benefits of having a controlled climate in your garage could vastly improve your comfort and the usability of the space.

Install a Wood-Burning Stove for Cozy Warmth

If you’ve got a steady wood supply, a wood-burning stove could be a great way to keep warm. A good stove not only heats up the room but also adds a bit of a homely feel to your space.

Remember, safety first—install the stove on a nonflammable surface like your concrete floor and make sure it’s safely distanced from any flammable materials. Some modern stoves have insulated exteriors to reduce surface heat, making them safer.

Always ensure proper ventilation to avoid smoke issues, adhering to local codes which might require a specific type of stovepipe installation.

Radiant Heating

If you’re tired of dusty, dry air blown around by forced heaters, radiant heat could be the solution you need. Radiant heaters operate differently by emitting infrared energy that heats objects directly, kind of like how the sun warms us up.

This type of heat can be more comfortable and efficient for garage spaces, where you don’t want dust and debris stirred up. Consider installing a radiant heater that mounts overhead and uses quartz bulbs to distribute heat evenly.

Install Radiant Floor Heating

Picture this: you’re working on your car, but instead of lying on a freezing concrete floor, it’s comfortably warm. That’s the magic of radiant floor heating. It’s especially worth considering if you’re building a new garage or overhauling your current one.

The system involves laying reflective liners and flexible piping beneath the concrete to circulate hot water, gently warming the floor and everything above it. It’s a clean heat too—no dust or wood chips stirred up by forced air.

Keep in mind, installing radiant floor heating is a job for professionals and involves a significant upfront cost, but the long-term comfort in your garage workspace could be well worth it.

Portable Propane Heater

If electric heating options are too pricey or complex because of high energy use and potential circuit overloads, a portable propane heater might be your best bet. These heaters are efficient, easy to use, and can be pretty economical compared to other heating methods.

You can start small with a 20-pound propane tank, which is enough for a modestly sized heater. If you need more power, consider upgrading to a 500-gallon tank and have a professional install a dedicated gas line to your garage.

For garages where venting isn’t an option, vent-free models are available that burn cleanly and safely, keeping you warm without any fuss.

Seal Off Drafty Areas

While your heaters and insulation do the heavy lifting, don’t let drafts undermine their good work. Start by checking around the garage door frame and the bottom where it meets the floor. Small gaps can let in a surprising amount of cold air. A simple fix is to apply weather stripping around the frame and replace the old threshold seal.

Don’t forget the windows—drafty frames are common culprits. Seal them up with a shrink-type film. Tape it on, heat it with a hairdryer, and you’ll block those pesky drafts effectively.

Opt for a Ceiling-Mounted Garage Heater

If you’ve ever shivered through a project in your garage, you know how important a reliable heat source is. One solid choice is a ceiling-mounted forced-air unit. It’s powerful enough to handle the square footage of most garages and mounts neatly out of the way.

These heaters are great because they blow heated air downwards, covering a wide area efficiently. Look for models with a thermostat and remote control—this setup lets you adjust settings without interrupting your workflow.

However, remember that heat rises, and the floor area might still stay cold. To keep your toes warm, try adding a baseboard heater near your main workspace. Hydronic baseboard heaters, connected to your home’s boiler system, are pretty effective. They heat up the space by circulating hot water through pipes, ensuring that the warmth is not just overhead but also where you need it most—at ground level.

Insulate Your Garage Walls

Before you invest in any heating, make sure your garage walls are up to the task of keeping that warm air inside. Unfinished walls with exposed studs won’t do much to prevent cold air from seeping in.

By finishing your walls with fiberglass batt insulation, you’re creating a tight barrier against the cold. Follow up the insulation with drywall, plywood, or OSB to seal the deal.

Not only will insulating and paneling your walls help maintain a more consistent temperature, but you’ll also see a noticeable decrease in your energy bills. This DIY improvement is manageable on a weekend and pays off by transforming your garage into a comfortable, year-round workspace.