post on rec.woodworking. ping morris dovey in the subject line. He'll have
answers.
Try a cheap test first- make a jam-fit frame out of 2x2s covered with
plastic (like a hillbilly storm window), put it outside of the overhead
door on a sunny day, and open the garage door. See if it actually
provides any greenhouse effect. Around here, in summer, most people
leave the OH door open until after dark, to keep garage from
superheating just from the un-insulated attic radiating back down into
it. And in winter, they want an insulated door to keep the garage from
freezing hard overnight. (Hot engine blocks and tires do an amazing job
of heating an enclosed space...) Lotsa guys around here that use their
garage for woodshops in summer have screened panels they set in the OH
door jamb during the summer, including a judas gate, just to have a fly
and skeeter-free place to work.
--
aem sends...
I did do a test. The only cheap plastic I could find isn't clear, it's
quite cloudy. I opened the door and stapled the plastic right to the
inside of the wall. In a couple hours it went from 40 to 55 and the sun
was behind the clouds half the time. I think after I insulate the 2
block walls that are above grade, and use clear Lexan or Plexiglass, it
will make a huge difference. Checked price at the local glass repair
place and home depot is cheaper for 4x8 sheets.
Around here, in summer, most people
> leave the OH door open until after dark, to keep garage from
> superheating just from the un-insulated attic radiating back down into
> it. And in winter, they want an insulated door to keep the garage from
> freezing hard overnight. (Hot engine blocks and tires do an amazing job
> of heating an enclosed space...) Lotsa guys around here that use their
> garage for woodshops in summer have screened panels they set in the OH
> door jamb during the summer, including a judas gate, just to have a fly
> and skeeter-free place to work.
My garage ceiling is insulated and yes I know how well an engine can
heat the garage. In the winter I pull right in, in the summer I let it
cool before pulling in... if I pull it in at all.
That's surprising, I just got a garage door. It was $140 extra to
have a panel with windows on an 18' door Didn't seem that bad to me.
My garage door guy said it's priced much, much cheaper if it is ordered
with the rest of the door. But to outright buy just that one panel,
they charge out the ass.