Heated garage: is it really useful in Quebec?
- coraliefortin076
- Jul 31
- 8 min read
At Plan Maison Québec, we know that every detail counts when planning the construction or renovation of a garage in our province with its harsh winters. The idea of heating a garage often sparks debate: is it really useful, expensive, or simply prudent?
In this article, Plan Maison Québec explores the pros, cons, energy costs, and technological options to help you decide if a heated garage is right for you.
Why having a garage in Quebec is almost essential
In Quebec, where the seasons are marked by extreme contrasts, a garage is not just a luxury, but a true necessity. Harsh winters, with their long periods of intense cold, heavy snow, and icy conditions, make outdoor parking difficult, even perilous. A garage protects your vehicle from the elements, extends its lifespan, and makes your daily commute easier, especially on those icy mornings when scraping the windshield becomes an unavoidable chore.
Beyond winter, a garage is also useful in summer: it protects your car from UV rays, can serve as a secure storage space for seasonal equipment, or even as a DIY or repair workshop. Plan Maison Québec strongly recommends incorporating a garage into your construction or renovation project, as it not only adds comfort but also value to your property.
What are the different types of garages and carports in Quebec?
In Quebec, there are several ways to protect a vehicle depending on the seasons, available space, and budget. Plan Maison Québec assists its clients in the custom design of all these types of structures, taking into account the Quebec climate and the specific needs of each family.
1 ) The attached garage
This type of garage is integrated directly into the house and is generally accessible from the inside, eliminating the need to go outside to get to your vehicle. Popular in winter, the attached garage also provides natural insulation thanks to the shared walls. It can be easily heated, and its harmonious architectural integration adds value to the home. It is the most common choice for modern single-family homes.
2 ) The detached garage
Independent of the main building, the detached garage can be built nearby or elsewhere on the property. It offers great flexibility in terms of layout: some convert it into a workshop, a recreation space, or a storage area. Less expensive to insulate if not connected to the house, it does, however, require exterior development for easy access in winter. Plan Maison Québec recommends this type of garage for larger lots or rural properties.
3 ) Single or double garage
A single garage can accommodate a single vehicle, while a double garage is designed for two cars side by side. Both configurations can be attached or detached. The double garage is also often used to combine parking and storage. Plan Maison Québec designs plans adapted to each format, while optimizing the interior space according to the intended use (workbench, mechanical space, storage, etc.).
4 ) The permanent carport
A carport is a semi-open structure, usually made of wood or metal, with a roof but no walls. It protects from snow, rain, and sun, while remaining well ventilated. While more affordable than a closed garage, it does not protect against extreme temperatures and cannot be heated. However, it can be combined with an enclosed space for storage. Plan Maison Québec recommends a carport in regions with milder winters or for seasonal needs.
5 ) Temporary car shelter (Tempo type)
Popular in Quebec since the fall, the Tempo shelter is a temporary solution used especially during the snowy months. Easy to assemble and disassemble, it effectively protects the vehicle against the accumulation of snow and ice. However, it is prohibited in some municipalities during the summer, is not insulated or heatable, and remains vulnerable to strong winds. It represents a practical, but temporary, solution, while waiting for a permanent garage project with Plan Maison Québec.
The benefits of a heated garage according to Plan Maison Québec
1 ) Protection of your vehicle and increased comfort
Plan Maison Québec notes that parking your vehicle indoors, especially in a heated garage, provides undeniable comfort in winter. Starting a frozen vehicle at -25°C isn't just unpleasant: it increases mechanical wear. Cold engines require more fuel, and fluids like engine oil, power steering, and transmission fluid take longer to reach their optimal operating temperature. The result: premature component degradation and reduced long-term efficiency.
By storing your car in a heated space, you drastically reduce freeze-thaw cycles, make starting easier, and prevent damage to wipers, seals, and the windshield. Not to mention the simple fact that getting into a room-temperature cabin is infinitely more pleasant. According to Plan Maison Québec, it's a comfortable choice that, in the long run, also preserves the value of your vehicle.
2 ) Condensation reduction and corrosion prevention
When a snow-covered vehicle is parked in an unventilated garage, the greenhouse effect and the rapid melting of snow on the bodywork can create excessive humidity. This moisture, combined with road salts present on Quebec roads, deposits in the most vulnerable areas of the vehicle—rocker panels, brakes, wheel arches—promoting accelerated corrosion. Plan Maison Québec therefore recommends not only moderate heating, but also the installation of controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV) systems or simple cross-ventilation grilles to maintain a drier atmosphere.
A heated slab (radiant floor) is also an attractive option to limit the formation of puddles and accelerate the drying of the ambient air. This solution, although more expensive to install, provides uniform and constant heating while reducing cold drafts.
3 ) Comfort and multiple uses
The garage is no longer just a parking space. More and more Quebec homeowners are using it as a workshop, a training room, a storage area for sports equipment, or a DIY space. Plan Maison Québec notes that these new uses are transforming the approach to garage design: people are now looking for a versatile space, where thermal comfort becomes essential for working with precision, even in the depths of winter.
Properly sized heating not only extends the useful life of your garage, but also increases its real estate value. Indeed, a heated garage is seen as an asset in the resale market. It becomes a living space in its own right, which can also serve as an extra room if properly designed.
4 ) Insulation and maintaining comfort in the home
When the garage is integrated into the main structure of the house—especially if it is located below a habitable space—a lack of heating or adequate insulation can lead to significant heat loss and noticeable discomfort. The floors of bedrooms above an unheated garage become cold, and this sensation can affect the overall thermal comfort of the home.
Plan Maison Québec therefore recommends a two-pronged strategy: first, insulate the common walls, the garage ceiling, and the door with high-performance thermal materials; second, maintain a stable minimum temperature, even when the garage is not intended for daily use. This passive temperature management helps avoid sudden fluctuations that stress the structure and improves the overall energy efficiency of the home.
5 ) Pipeline protection
In many residential configurations, water pipes, drains, and even plumbing fixtures such as hot water tanks or spare sinks are installed in the garage. Without heating, these elements become vulnerable to freezing. Plan Maison Québec has observed that even rigorous insulation is not always enough to prevent freezing if temperatures drop for prolonged periods.
A supplemental heater or a constant low temperature (around 5 to 8°C) can prevent burst pipes, leaks, or replacement costs. It's therefore a preventative investment that protects not only your comfort but also the longevity of your plumbing.
The disadvantages of a heated garage according to Plan Maison Québec
1 ) Risk of accelerated corrosion
Avoid overzealousness: heating your garage to 20°C, especially in winter, is not recommended. This temperature creates a microclimate conducive to the formation of condensation on the metal parts of vehicles, especially when they are covered in snow or ice at the entrance. Plan Maison Québec recommends staying between 3 and 8°C, and ensuring that the ground can quickly evacuate water via well-positioned drains. It is also a good idea to provide a slight slope on the concrete slab to prevent accumulations under the vehicle.
2 ) Energy consumption and associated costs
A poorly insulated average-sized garage can consume up to 1,000 kWh per month in electric heating during the Quebec winter. This represents a considerable expense if no optimization is made. Plan Maison Québec therefore emphasizes the importance of peripheral insulation: slabs with rigid insulation (such as extruded polystyrene), walls with mineral wool or rigid panels, weatherstripping, and high-efficiency doors. By reducing losses, the heating power requirement is reduced accordingly.
In some cases, it is even wiser to invest in better insulation and efficient passive ventilation than in energy-intensive and inefficient heating.
3 ) Choosing between comfort and sobriety: a question of balance
Thermal comfort must be considered logically. There's no point in keeping a garage heated 24/7 if you only use it on weekends. Plan Maison Québec recommends using programmable or smart thermostats, which adjust the temperature according to your habits. Intermittent heating, coupled with good thermal inertia, is often enough to maintain optimal comfort without over-consuming.
Technical solutions: what type of heating for your garage according to Plan Maison Québec?
Wood (wood stove or pellet stove)
Wood heating is popular in more rural areas or for detached garages. Slow-burning stoves provide several hours of self-sufficiency, while pellet stoves allow for finer and cleaner control. Plan Maison Québec reminds us that this type of heating requires a fuel storage space, adequate ventilation, and regular chimney inspections.
Although more rustic, it's a stand-alone solution, ideal for garages that aren't connected to electricity or for those looking for a more environmentally friendly solution (if the fuel comes from FSC-certified or local sources).
Natural gas, propane or fuel oil
These options are effective and often quick to implement, especially in garages already connected to a natural gas network or equipped with propane tanks. Gas radiant heating can quickly heat the space, without noise or noise pollution. However, Plan Maison Québec recommends evaluating installation costs and the availability of sources before choosing.
Beware of the risks associated with combustion in a closed space: efficient ventilation is crucial to prevent the accumulation of harmful gases such as carbon monoxide.
A carbon monoxide detector is mandatory in this type of configuration.
Electric heating
Easy to install and space-saving, electric heating remains the number one choice in many residential garages. Whether baseboard heaters, wall-mounted radiant heaters, or infrared panels, the options are numerous. Plan Maison Québec reminds us that the choice of power must be calculated based on the volume to be heated and the insulation.
It is also possible to integrate electric underfloor heating when building a new garage, which provides optimal comfort without creating air circulation.
Heat pump / geothermal — energy-efficient solution
For new construction or large-scale projects, wall-mounted or mini-split heat pumps are becoming an increasingly popular solution. They provide both heating and cooling, with much lower energy consumption than traditional appliances. Plan Maison Québec recommends this option for homeowners looking for a long-term habitable garage, combined with excellent insulation.
Geothermal energy, while expensive to install, represents the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution in the long term, especially in large-scale projects where it can heat both the house and garage from a single source.
Conclusion: heated garage in Quebec
Heating a garage in Quebec is a decision that deserves careful consideration. At Plan Maison Québec, we know that it can improve comfort, protect your vehicle, and potentially reduce your energy costs, provided it's well thought out. It's important to choose the right system for your needs, invest in effective insulation, and moderate the temperature to limit consumption.
Do you have a project to build or renovate a garage, chalet or house?
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