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What to Know About Garage Door Openers
Did you know that not all garage door openers are created equal? The garage door opener is something that we rarely think about unless something goes wrong with it. Aside from the basic functions of opening and closing, most of us are indifferent to what goes into the mechanics of it all. If your opener has stopped working and you are in the market for a new one, do not jump too quickly on the first or cheapest option available. Here are just a few things to consider before getting a new garage door opener.
Different Types of Openers
- Screw Drive - One of the more powerful options for an opener is the screw drive. This type of opener is particularly handy when you have a very heavy door such as a wooden one and require more force to open the door. It will require a small amount of maintenance such as checking the bolts every now and then. While not among the most expensive options, the screw drive opener is not the cheapest, either.
- Chain Drive - Adversely, the chain drive is the most wallet-friendly option. It does not have as much power as the screw drive, but if you have a lighter door such as an aluminum door, this will not pose any problems. The main drawback of this option, however, is the noise. If your garage shares a wall with a space that needs to be quieter such as a bedroom with thin walls, this may not be your ideal opener.
Is Your Garage Too Small?
Though there are many ways to maximize and optimize space within your garage , you still may find yourself too tight on space. This is the time to ask yourself, "is my garage too small?". If you struggle to find room for the desired number of cars in the garage, or are unable to fit a car in the garage at all, or find yourself working in very tight quarters in the garage, it might be time to think about a larger garage. Luckily, there is no shortage of options you can take if this is the decision you have come to.
Do I Rebuild?
One option is to tear down and start from the ground up with a new garage. If your garage is older and several parts of it are in need of repair, this might be the best option for you and your home's value. If your roof has recently been damaged, your siding is discolored, and the floors are stained, perhaps it would be best to take the route of tackling all of the garage rather than one single project. If you plan on selling the home at any point, a new garage is a big boost to the appeal of your home.
How to Improve Storage in your Illinois Garage
The garage is the perfect place for a multitude of things. The garage can quickly become a catch-all for many objects, whether you use the space for storing automotive supplies, working on projects or crafts, a place to stash outdoor furniture, or organizing gardening equipment. However, this habit can quickly become a messy problem when storage begins to clutter. You may find yourself running short of room to keep everything organized. Luckily, there are several measures you can take to keep your garage in order and hold the clutter at bay.
Blank Canvas
Starting off with a clean slate is the simplest way to create adequate storage systems, but often this is not our situation. When faced with the task of organizing, try your best to declutter and go through everything in your garage as best you can.
- Eliminate anything you no longer need - Over the years, you may have hung onto spare parts, bits of wood, or old furniture that you do not have use for. Consider donating or getting rid of these things to free up valuable space.
How To Keep Your Chicago Area Garage Safe For Your Pet
Your garage has many functions. Whether you use the space for car repair, hobbies such as woodworking, or storage for paints and tools, the garage can be a multi-purpose getaway for you. However, it can also be dangerous for your pet. Many homeowners welcome a furry companion while they work in the garage. You want to be sure that your best friend is safe while accompanying you.
Organization is Key
The best thing you can do for your pet is to keep your garage organized. Check that everything is in its proper spot, ensuring no loose tools or chemicals are lying about. A dog or even a cat seem naturally attracted to items they should not be getting into. Specifically, a garage is often a storage spot for harmful chemicals. Storing these items in the proper methods is your first step to making a safe space for your pet.
Keep Dangerous Chemicals Off of the Ground and in Cabinets
Check the labels of these items for proper storage. Some items such as paint may not be best stored in a garage and would be better stored in a basement out of extreme temperature changes. Consider keeping cleaning materials in cabinets or storage bins that a pet cannot open.
What Are My Options for a Garage Door in the Chicago Area?
The garage door is one of the most noticeable pieces of your home. It will draw the eye of anyone looking at your property, including potential buyers if you are attempting to sell. If you are interested in setting your home apart or giving it a fresh new look, consider improving the door to your garage. It is amazing the difference a new door can make; but where do you start when you are looking for a new door? You want to make sure you get the door that suits your home the best.
Deciding on the Material
There are many different materials a garage door can be made from. Though most are made from steel, that does not necessarily mean you have to choose that option. Garage doors can be made up of a variety of materials including:
Vinyl
Vinyl garage doors are fairly easy to maintain and hold up over the years. They are sturdy and resilient to dents and cracks. However, they are more susceptible to the harsher conditions of the seasons. Direct sunlight and extreme cold can be hard on vinyl doors.
How to Keep Your DuPage County Garage as Secure as Possible
Home security is one of the most important things to a homeowner. As homeowners, we take multiple measures to ensure our family's safety. One of the more overlooked parts of the home when it comes to security is the garage . The experts at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. are looking out for you and your family and have some of the most beneficial tips to keep your garage as secure as possible.
Locking the Door to Your Home
If you have an attached garage, the connecting door to the home may go overlooked some nights. Keep vigilant and check to ensure it is locked at night so that in the event that intruders find their way into your garage, they cannot get any further into your home. It is also advisable to lock this door if you are leaving for the day and no one will be present at home.
Hide Your Valuables
A window can liven up a garage but allows unwanted eyes to see inside. If you store anything of significant value in the garage, keep it out of eyesight and covered if possible. Classic furniture you may be restoring, new tools, or expensive sporting equipment are often kept in storage out in a garage and are easy targets for robbers.
What Not To Store In Your Garage
A garage has been well established as an ideal spot to store many common objects. However, there are quite a few items you want to avoid keeping out of your garage. Though for many of the items, the garage may seem to be the obvious location for storage, it is best to avoid keeping these things inside the home.
Do Not Make a Home for Uninvited Guests
As the temperatures begin to cool down in the coming months in the greater Chicago area, mice and other pests will be looking for warmer places to hide and burrow. Don't give these critters any more reason to choose your garage as their shelter!
- Avoid keeping pet food in the garage. Mice and other rodents are attracted to an easy food source.
- Piles and stacks of firewood are perfect hiding spots for small creatures.
- Do not keep books in a garage. Silverfish are known to eat away at the bindings of books and love colder dark spaces such as a garage cabinet.
- Seasonal clothes or fabrics may not be needed for some months, but keeping them in the garage is asking for trouble. Rodents are likely to chew away at them. Moths are also a huge threat in this scenario.
Sprucing Up the Exterior of Your Garage
The outside of a garage is subject to some harsh weather, especially in the Chicago area. Strong winds, heavy rain, snow and ice, and even the sun can all age and damage your garage exterior. But what are you to do if the interior of the garage is still in good condition and you are not looking for a totally new build? Our experts at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. are here to revitalize and refresh your garage.
Is it Worth Repairing?
If your garage has encountered bad weather or received damage, you may be wondering if it is worth having it fixed. Like your home, even small cracks or holes can let in moisture and lead to further damage and could eventually compromise the garage itself.
Patching up small cracks or holes may look unsightly and may not always fix the issue. Replacing the damaged siding or roof is your best bet at protecting yourself against the elements. In many cases, storm damage is covered by many insurance policies and can assist in the project.
Even if your exterior has not been damaged, you may still be interested in updating or refreshing your garage. Vinyl siding and paint fade over the years, but are easily updated and can make a remarkable difference.
Three Benefits to Building a Garage
There are plenty of reasons to build a garage onto your property. Some of these reasons, such as a structure to protect your vehicle during harsh weather conditions might seem a bit obvious, but there are many other reasons that you may not have considered. The premier garageexperts at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. have the top 3 benefits of building a new garage.
Added Property Value
Most homes today are built with the needs of the homebuyer in mind. A majority, but not all, of homes in suburban areas such as DuPage County are constructed with garages. Older homes or smaller homes may not have had a garage built onto the property. A garage is an important factor that buyers look at when considering purchasing a home. If you are looking to sell your current home in the future, a garage would make the home even more desirable to the buyer.
Additionally, it would also give you a reason to increase the selling price. If you were in a developed neighborhood where many of the homes had street parking and your home had a private garage, that increases the curb appeal that much more. It sets your home apart from the others and helps it stand out.
Unique Uses for Your Garage
We all have preconceived notions of what a garage should be, but that should not limit us to what it could become. Our garages have the potential to be a number of things, including:
- A workshop
- Preferred hangout spot
- An art or music studio
- Designated storage
The obvious use for a garage is protecting your car from harsh weather but it can also fill many other roles depending on yourneeds. It can be so much more than four walls and a door.
Think Outside the Toolbox
Many of us utilize the garage as a workspace, or at very least to store our assorted tools. Homeownership often leads to even the most inexperienced to become a bit of a repair person or do-it-yourself fixer-upper. Obviously, it will not result in you becoming an electrician overnight, but you still will probably need a space in which you can re-screen windows, stain a salvaged end table, or test out the new soldering iron.
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