Garage heater venting

[TooTall606]

Hi. I am new to the Garage Journal

I am building an 18 x 24 detached garage/workshop. It has styrofoam insulation under the concrete slab and will have 6" sidewalls.

I am looking at a Reznor 45K heater. The plan is to keep the garage at a minimum temperature ( 45 - 50? ) when unoccupied.

I see that there are two methods of venting the heater. Through the roof or through a sidewall.

Has anyone had any experiences with these options?

Through the roof seems the most logical. As long as the vent is installed during construct I don't see any concerns with leaks.

The sidewall method seems like it would be unattractive. I was told that depending on whether a side wall or end wall would be used, the length of the vent could be a factor.

Thanks.

 

[Andamo]

I have a Reznor in my 2 story 24 x 36 garage and it's vented through the wall. It has maybe a 30'' stub sticking outside through the vinyl siding and granted it's not the best looking vent. It's on the one end of the garage and isn't really a eyesore. I know I wouldn't have done in when the garage was brand new, but once the place had some years on it I didn't feel so bad putting a hole in the vinyl and having the vent. My walls are only partially insulated and I keep the thermostat at 50* in the winter. If it gets windy the heater runs more often, but it's sure nice getting into a 50* car and being able to keep things in the garage that would normally have to be brought into the basement to keep from freezing.

 

[Highbeam]

There is value in avoiding roof penetrations. Those things leak. I would prefer a wall exit to a roof exit if you can make the wall exit look nice and function properly.

 

[dave67fd]

Vertical vent Is always prefered. Sidewall is typically secondary or when vertical is not an option or inconvienient based on available/proper roof location.

They only leak when not properly installed.

 

[Highbeam]

I never had a leaky roof penetration when there wasn't a roof penetration.

It's just a matter of building to minimize the opportunity for leaks. Water damage is a big deal and costs homeowners big bucks for rot repair, sheetrock damage, and mold removal. Anything you can do to minimize the chances of a leaky roof are worth doing.

I know how to properly roof around a roof penetration but many professional roofers don't. I've seen some pretty ridiculous errors in the field and even on this site. Exposed nails (gasketed or not) and roof cement do not belong in a properly roofed peneteration yet you see it all the time.

These mistakes can cost thousands of dollars but if you just rant he pipe out the wall up near the eave you could avoid them.

Any actual drawbacks to a horizontal vent?

 

[netwon]

Any actual drawbacks to a horizontal vent?

In Alberta you can pay upwards of $400-500 to vent horizontal due to stainless vent pipe requirements if vented horizontally out a wall. Roof venting still allows for B-vent. Plus there will always be condensation settling in vent pipe in cold climates.