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Advantages of Garage Cabinets and What To Know Before Purchasing
Garages are often used for storage purposes. It is often overlooked how important organization is in regards to the effectiveness of that storage capability. An advantageous method of garage storage and organization is the installation of cabinets. The completion of a garage does not require cabinets, however, garage cabinets provide a modern look for your space while also providing a protective place to store your belongings.
Additional common reasons for installing garage cabinets include:
- Improved garage space
- Equipment organization
- Simple and protective storage of equipment and tools
- Add value to your home
Which Type of Garage Cabinet is Right for You?
There are a wide variety of garage cabinets available on the market and each one has advantages and disadvantages.
If your kitchen was recently remodeled, you may be interested in recycling your old kitchen cabinets for your garage. While this is an affordable and environmentally friendly approach, recycled kitchen cabinets will not be able to hold as heavy as products (such as paint cans, automobile parts, and metal tools) or appropriately handle garage climates.
Back-to-School Ideas for Your Garage
While most kids dread the end of summer vacation, the second half of the summer is a time for families to prepare for children to go back to school. After several weeks in which children have been enjoying the outdoors, it is likely that your garage is somewhat disorganized. As part of your back-to-school preparations, you may be looking to reorganize your garage and find new ways to use this space during the school year.
End-of-Summer Garage Reorganization
With so many people going in and out of your garage during the summer and using bikes, sports equipment, camping gear, or other outdoor equipment, it is easy for items to pile up, especially if they are not put away in their normal locations. You may want to take this opportunity to create new organization and storage systems that will help you keep your space in order and make sure you can continue to access what you need as the weather cools off.
As you reorganize your garage, you may want to sort items based on when and how they will be used. You can identify items that your family will not need once the school year starts, such as tents, sleeping bags, or camping stoves, and put them away in places where they can be kept until you need them next summer. This will give you more space for items that you may still need to access throughout the rest of the summer and during the fall.
What Type of Garage Door Opener Is Best for My Home?
As a homeowner, you may not put too much thought into your garage door opener. As long as it opens and closes your garage door without any problems, it may seem like a standard piece of machinery that simply does its job. However, if you need to replace a garage door opener that has worn out or broken down, or if you are planning to build a new custom garage, you may want to look at your options and determine the best type of garage door opener for your home.
Choosing the Right Garage Door Opener
Your choice of garage door opener will depend on your needs, your budget, and any limitations that you may need to address. The available options include:
- Chain-drive garage door openers - These are the most common types of equipment used in garages, and they use a chain that connects a motor to the garage door. These systems can be loud, and vibrations may be felt in other parts of a home while they are operating. However, they are less expensive than other types of garage door openers.
What Are My Options for Adding Windows to My Garage?
Garage renovations can come in many different forms. Homeowners can make multiple types of improvements, such as implementing new storage solutions or installing updated equipment. While building a completely new custom garage may be an option for some, others will be looking to make other types of changes that will allow them to get the best use out of their garage. One way of doing so is by installing new windows. This can provide more natural light in a garage, making it a more welcoming space. However, homeowners should be sure to understand their options for adding windows and the potential issues they may encounter when doing so.
Benefits of Garage Windows
Windows can be installed in the outward-facing walls of a garage, and some types of garage doors may also include windows. In addition to increasing the amount of light in a garage, windows can add curb appeal by creating a consistent design for both home and garage. Multiple types of windows can be used to make a garage feel like another room that is integrated into the rest of the house. Even if windows will not be facing the street or if a garage is detached from the home, its windows should match the style of the home, adding to the visual appeal of the interior and exterior space.
How to Prevent Storm and Tornado Damage to Your Garage
During the summer, people in Illinois are likely to experience strong weather, including major thunderstorms or tornadoes. Residents of DuPage County were recently given a reminder of the dangers of summer storms when a tornado touched down in Naperville, damaging multiple homes. While it might not be possible to completely prevent a tornado from causing damage to your home, you will want to be aware of some steps you can take to ensure that your garage can withstand strong weather and minimize the chances of serious damage.
Preventing Damage to Your Garage Door in a Storm
Your garage door is most likely the largest opening to your home. This makes it a significant weak point, especially since garage doors are usually lighter and less resilient than the surrounding walls and structure of a home. This means that when pressure is placed on a home, such as by heavy winds, and rain during a storm or by a tornado, the garage door is the part of the home that is most likely to fail. When this happens, the home's walls and roof may also be affected, and depending on the severity of a storm, they may be damaged, or they could collapse entirely.
Items You Should Avoid Storing in Your Garage During the Summer
For many families, a garage serves as a catch-all space to store miscellaneous items. Rather than cluttering up a home's living space with items that are not used frequently, it makes sense to place them in an area where they can be out of the way, yet still easily accessible when needed. However, it is also important to be aware that certain types of items may be damaged when stored in a garage, or they could even create risks that affect the safety of a family.
Garage Storage Issues Related to Temperature and Pests
A garage will usually not have the same insulation and climate control as the rest of a house. Because of this, items stored in a garage will often be subjected to high temperatures during the summer. To avoid damage or safety issues, it is best to store certain types of items in places other than the garage. These items may include:
- Furniture - Temperature changes and humidity in a garage are likely to cause wood furniture to warp. Leather furniture may also experience damage due to these issues. In addition, the stuffing in cushions on chairs or couches stored in a garage may attract animals who wish to use this material for nests.
What Is the Best Material to Use for a New Garage Door?
Your garage door is likely to be one of the most-used entrances to your home, and because of this, it can experience a significant amount of wear and tear. Replacing your garage door will not only make sure you will be able to enter and exit your garage without any problems, but it can also add additional visual appeal, provide better insulation, and improve your home's security. If you are looking to install a new garage door, you will want to consider the best type of material that will fit your needs and budget.
Garage Door Materials
Some of the most commonly used materials for garage doors include:
- Wood - Garage doors with a natural wood finish can be very visually appealing, and they often provide good insulation for a garage. However, they can also be very heavy, and they will need to be properly maintained to prevent weather damage due to rain, snow, or humidity. As an alternative, homeowners may consider wood composite garage doors that provide the natural appearance of wood while being more durable and offering better insulation.
How a Garage Renovation Can Increase Your Home’s Value
For many homeowners, their garage is something of an afterthought when compared to the rest of their home. A garage may serve primarily as a place to park cars and store various items. Since family members do not spend a great deal of time in that part of their home, they may not think about how it looks or other ways they can use the space. However, those who are looking to sell their home at some point in the future may want to consider how they may be able to increase the potential purchase price, and garage renovations are a great way to do so.
Garage Upgrades to Increase the Resale Value of a Home
Homeowners can make changes to their garage that improve their home's appearance and add "curb appeal," and they can also make improvements that provide more ways to use that part of the home. These upgrades may include:
- New garage doors - The appearance of a garage door can make a big difference for those who are looking at a home. Homeowners may want to replace their garage doors, using appealing, high-quality materials such as steel or aluminum. Installing a new electric garage door opener that integrates with smart home technology is another great way to add value.
When Should I Repair or Replace My Garage’s Roof?
Since you probably do not spend as much time in your garage as you do in the rest of your home, you may not notice when there are issues that need to be addressed. The garage roof is one area that can sometimes be overlooked. However, if the roof is in disrepair, this could cause additional issues, since leaks could lead to damage in other parts of your garage and home. By catching problems with your roof as soon as possible, you can determine whether roof repair or replacement is necessary.
Checking for Damage on Your Garage Roof
Regularly inspecting your garage roof will help you find any potential leaks. If the wooden structure of your garage gets wet, it could rot and eventually collapse. Leaks could also damage your walls and ceiling, as well as the items stored in your garage. To prevent these issues, it is best to inspect your roof at least once a year. You will want to look for:
- Curled or cracked shingles - Exposure to the weather may cause wooden shingles to curl and lift up, creating gaps where water may get through the roof. Shingles may also become cracked due to hail or extreme temperature changes. These damaged shingles should be replaced, or roof cement may be used to fill in cracks or holes. If there are a large number of faulty shingles, a roof replacement may be necessary.
Creating the Perfect Garage for the Car Enthusiast
Since people often use their garages to park their vehicles, this is the perfect area to work on your car. However, most garages are oriented around storage, so if you will be spending time there while completing your work, you may want to make a few upgrades. Whether you are planning to restore a vintage automobile, looking to make improvements to a vehicle used for racing, or simply want a space where you can perform regular maintenance and tune-ups, you will want to consider installing new equipment or upgrading your garage's existing features.
Options for Improvements to Your Garage
To create a space where you will be able to perform auto work in your garage year-round, you may want to address:
- Flooring - Working on cars can cause damage to a concrete garage floor if heavy parts or tools are dropped or because of leaking oil or other fluids. To protect your floor, you may consider adding epoxy or polyurea coating, or you could install floor tiles. This will not only protect against damage, but it will make the floor easier to clean. You may also want to consider installing a drain in your garage floor if you do not have one already, especially if you plan to wash and clean your car inside your garage.
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