- Preventing condensation from forming on garage doors

We have a wood garage door. During the winter months when we bring the car in and out condensation forms on the inside of the door. It drips down and forms puddles on the floor and is also causing the wood to rot. Would it be smart to put vents in the bottom panel of the door?

Tip:

1. Garage doors should always be painted or stained on the inside as well as the outside including top, bottom and side edges.(If rubber weather stripping is on the bottom of the door this must be removed and reinstalled after finishing).

2. Wooden garage doors with panels should be caulked using a acrylic latex caulking around the inside of the panels (where panels insert into frame of the door) before painting or staining. 3. All wood garage doors over 12 feet wide with automatic door operators should have sag eliminator device installed to eliminate any chance of the door sagging in the middle.(commonly known as a garage door smile as it is up at the sides and down in the middle)

Solution:

When vehicles are parked in a garage during the winter months with snow and ice melting off there must be ventilation provided to allow the moisture to evaporate and escape without having to go to the coldest surface being the garage door or windows.

When moisture evaporates it becomes relative humidity looking for an easy way out. By installing two vents at least six inches in diameter in the garage wall on opposite sides you will allow air currents to vent the garage allowing the relative humidity out. Therefore no condensation will form. These vents should have an outside wall rain cap and an inside adjustable diffuser to control air flow.

Relative humidity will always take the least line of resistance thereby taking the easy way out through the vents.

Article courtesy of: Shell Busey