Detached Garage W/ 2nd Floor Cooling Ideas

[adpostel]

Ok, so I have searched the forums and Google and Youtube for some ideas. We just built a new home and my garage is basically a 2 car detached with a boat stall. So it ends up being a little over 1300 sq ft. Well, my wife told the architect that she wanted to be able to stand up in the "Garage Attic" so she could store some things up there. Well, what we ended up with is a 900 sq ft room above the garage. Basically, a 2 story garage. Here is the issue. None of the garage is insulated. The lower portion has two huge doors in front, and then one smaller garage door to open at the back for airflow. Upstairs is now this huge storage area which is great, but I have no intentions of "finishing it out" and insulating, drywalling and A/C. I just don't really have a need for that. What I do have a need for is for it to be bearable when we go up there. I have a ridge vent roof, with radiant barrier and unfinished studs up there now. I did go ahead and stub out the plumbing and installed lighting and outlets up there. Here are some pictures of what I have and I am looking for some advice on keeping it bearable to go up there when the summers here are over 100*.... My thought is leaning towards some fans, but what kind and where, is what I am after. Here are some pics of what I have above my garage. Mind you, it is brand new and I haven't spent a summer in it yet, so I have no clue just how hot it will get up there.... Thanks

 

[theoldwizard1]

You are going to need some BIG fans. Much bigger than your window openings ! **** through one end, blow out the other.

 

[memphisnate]

What are you planning to do up there? Just for storage? Working up there for extended periods of time?

 

[yeldogt]

What the insulation on the roof? how thick?

Is the lower level going to be conditioned space .. if so and enough insulation in the upper area -- you may be surprised.

I have not built a house in 25 years with either a ventilated crawl or attic.

 

[Dr Stan]

Fans plus skylights. I was amazed at the difference the skylights make in my shop and rarely need to run the AC.

 

[yeldogt]

Power gable vents.
Cheap and correct.

And

Insulation and visqueen are ssssooooo cheap.
You've come this far....

In a dry climate w/o radon .. maybe. And only if he is not conditioning the space under it. It's very hard to get = ventilation in w/ a power vent. Normally they create a negative pressure .. this ***** conditioned air from the lower floors. In a radon area or on humid days this will introduce both to the lowest level.

Fans are great with open spaces.

 

[ducksface]

In a dry climate w/o radon .. maybe. And only if he is not conditioning the space under it. It's very hard to get = ventilation in w/ a power vent. Normally they create a negative pressure .. this ***** conditioned air from the lower floors. In a radon area or on humid days this will introduce both to the lowest level.

Fans are great with open spaces.

Power gable will pull air through his already installed roof peak vents.
He wants it conditioned during access, no other time. Turn on the gable vent with a wireless remote or a switch, wait ten minutes, go upstairs.