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What Type of Flooring Is the Best to Use for My Garage?
When you buy or build a house, there are numerous decisions to make, such as brick versus siding, paint colors, brands of appliances, and flooring. This can also apply to determining how you want your garage to look and function. Although most garages are built on a concrete slab, you do have options when it comes to placing a new floor over it. Whether you are simply storing your vehicles in the garage or utilizing the space as a home office or an entertainment center, it is important to consider the best type of flooring material to protect and maintain your property's value.
Flooring Options
A garage floor has unique demands placed on it, so you want to make sure not to put any flooring material in your garage that could easily break or stain, but you still most likely want one that looks stylish or clean. Here are a few ideas for what to put down (with the help of a professional) as your garage floor:
- Roll-out vinyl flooring: This type of flooring is easy to install, and it hides dirt and stains well. Since it is one big piece, it is not as easy to repair as tile flooring, which allows homeowners to cut out and replace damaged sections. However, it can come in different color choices if you want to match wall color or even your cars.
Adding a Porch or Patio on to Your Garage
Perhaps thoughts of Southern homes with white columns come to mind when you think of porches. A porch can make just about any structure look better, whether it is a house, a garage , or even a shed. When attached as part of the garage, a screened-in porch allows homeowners to enjoy the outdoors in the spring, summer, or fall in Illinois while avoiding bugs. Patios have also become popular this past year, especially with many people entertaining family and neighbors outside due to COVID-19 restrictions. With a portable or built-in firepit, a patio adjacent to your garage can be the perfect place to relax and unwind after a long workday or on the weekends.
Expanding Your Gathering Places
Using your garage as part of your outdoor living space can be ideal, since you may be able to utilize an available wall or part of the roof. This area may also have an unused part of your yard around it. The following are several different ways you can add on to your garage:
- Build a patio onto the front of the garage as an overhang covering the doors.
How to Turn Your Garage into a Gaming Hideaway This Winter
Garages do not need to be just for cars and tools. So many people have learned to enjoy spending more time at home with family and neighbor friends this past year. If you are limited on space in your home, you may want to consider utilizing your garage space for regular activities. After a bit of reorganizing and renovation, why not turn your garage into a game room? It can also double as a quiet homework or reading spot when the games are unplugged. Whether your kids enjoy playing video games, you consider yourself a pool shark, or you like throwing darts, your garage can be an ideal place to house all of your favorite games so you can take a break from it all.
Make it Your Own
Regardless of the types of games you play, in order to create your new game center in the garage, you need to decide how much space you have. In other words, are you using the entire garage space and leaving your vehicles outside or in a carport? Another alternative is using a section of your garage for gaming instead of storing sports equipment or gardening tools. These can always go in separate structures such as sheds, or you can install shelving and hooks to hold them.
Tips for Removing Snow and Ice From Your Garage Roof
Those who grew up in Illinois or the Midwest are accustomed to winter weather and all of the snow and ice it can bring during this time of year. Frigid temperatures can cause a variety of problems, such as burst pipes in homes, office buildings, or warehouses. Whether you are a homeowner or another type of property owner, trying to mitigate the negative impact of Mother Nature can be challenging. Proper drainage can limit the chance of any damage, but it is also important to remove snow and ice from your house or garage roof before it becomes a problem. In some cases, water damage can result in expensive repairs, such as replacing a ceiling or drywall or even a vehicle that was in the garage.
Winter Weather Damage
The biggest reason for keeping your house and garage roof free of as much snow as possible is that it is crucial for preventing ice dams, which can cause leaks inside your home and garage. Precipitation such as rain or snow that does not have a place to drain will build up and freeze once the temperatures drop. When the sun hits it and it gets warmer, that ice turns to water, which has nowhere to go. This often results in water coming through the shingles and siding and inside your garage.
Making the Most of Overhead Storage in Your Garage
Storage space is often a very desirable option when it comes to buying or building a home. Whether it is a bedroom closet, kitchen pantry, basement, or garage, people need places to put all of their "stuff." There are many items that you may like to keep in your garage or shed, such as gardening tools, lawnmowers, snowblowers, outdoor patio furniture, bicycles, scooters, holiday decorations, sports equipment, and more. Along with all of these items, you may be struggling to find space for your vehicles in your garage. One option is to create additional storage space by installing overhead shelving units. Determining how large these can be often depends on the structure and size of your garage, including the roof line.
Hanging from the Rafters
Regardless of whether you have a finished, drywalled ceiling in your garage or simply wooden rafters, you can find a storage solution that works. The garage ceiling or attic can be the ideal place to store lighter or medium weight seasonal items like holiday decorations and camping gear. Some options include:
Options for Adding a Breezeway to Your Detached Garage
Many older homes have "detached" garages, which means they are separate structures from the main house. Newer, more modern residential architecture typically has the garage "attached" to the house. This makes it convenient for homeowners to exit their vehicles and enter their mud room, entryway, or kitchen without having to go outside. Illinois residents may particularly like this option, since it means that they do not have to brave the elements, especially during inclement weather or when it is dark. A connected breezeway that goes between your home and garage provides a covered space to improve traffic flow into your home. As with any type of house renovation or addition, you will want to be sure to explore your options and consider your needs, as well as how these changes will complement your existing garage and house.
Form Versus Function
A breezeway can add a unique architectural element to your home's exterior. Features like skylights or stained-glass windows add natural light and turn the breezeway into a design focal point. In other cases, you may want to simply have a breezeway blend into the existing design of your home and garage, which could be brick, wood, siding, or a combination of different materials.
Transforming Your Garage into a Workout Facility for the Winter
The Chicago-area winters can be especially cold and long. Temperatures can hover at or below freezing from November all the way to March. Although some natives of Illinois may venture outside to get some exercise, many prefer to work out indoors during these months. With COVID-19 restrictions still in place throughout the state, it may be awhile before individuals will feel safe going to a public gym or rec center. As such, now might be the perfect time to consider renovating your garage into a workout area. Whether you want to utilize the entire garage space or just a section of it, there are ways to accomplish your goal of staying fit and healthy.
Tips for the Best Use of Space
Creating a gym in your garage can save you time and money in the long run. Gym memberships can be expensive, and there may be gas and transportation costs if there is not a gym within walking distance. Having an area to exercise in your garage makes it much more convenient, which is sometimes half the battle. In addition, if you are working from home or your kids are learning remotely, going to the garage allows for an escape from the same four walls. Keep in mind that depending on the size of your garage, you may or may not be able to leave your vehicles in it during your workout time. If you have a three-car garage but only two cars, that extra space can be ideal. You can also move your lawnmower or snowblower to a shed if you have one.
How to Renovate Your Garage to Include a Wine Cellar
After the challenges of 2020, everyone is hoping for a return to some sort of normalcy in 2021. However, with COVID-19 vaccines just starting to be administered, it may be months before the country is opened up again. In Illinois, many restaurants are still closed, or if they are open, they are operating at reduced occupancy. In response to these restrictions and social distancing guidelines, a lot of people have spent more time at home than ever before. This may include entertaining at home, either outside in their yard, on their patio, deck, or even in the garage . Wine lovers may want to consider utilizing their garage space by converting part of it into a wine cellar.
Wine Lovers Unite
If you do not have a designated wine cellar in your home, the garage might be the perfect place to store your favorite wines. Depending on how much room you want to set aside for it, adding a seating area can turn your garage into an ideal entertaining space for friends and family gatherings. Another fun idea is to start a wine club and use your garage as a wine tasting room. However, it is important to consider the types of wine you want to house to ensure you have the appropriate environment to keep them. For example, different varieties of wine are best kept at certain temperatures. A lot of white or sparkling wines are best served chilled, while red wines are typically served at room temperature.
Tips for Preventing Ice Damage In, On, and Around Your Garage
Winters in the Midwest can be brutal, with blizzard-like conditions. This can include snow, ice, sleet, slush, and wind. Anything that is outside can take a beating, including your house and garage. When any type of precipitation cannot drain properly, and the temperature drops to below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, the water can freeze and turn to ice. Besides creating a slipping hazard for homeowners or guests if ice accumulates on walkways or stairs, this can also affect a structure's roof, siding, and flooring. If there is nowhere for the ice to go once it melts, it can cause serious structural problems. That is why it is important to take steps to prevent ice from forming near or in your garage during the winter months in order to protect your property.
Protecting Your Investments
When snow and ice accumulate on a roof, it can eventually cause leaks once the temperature warms and all of that precipitation melts. Trapped water on the roof that freezes can create an ice dam, which may lead to water pooling and working its way under the shingles. In some cases, the ceiling could cave in, or water may seep through the drywall.
How to Host a Safe New Year’s Eve Party in Your Garage
As a result of the COVID-19 health crisis, people have spent more time at home this past year. This is partly due to federal, state, and local guidelines such as stay-at-home orders. In addition, a lot of employees have been working from home instead of going into an office building. With many area restaurants and bars closed in attempts to combat the virus, people have gotten creative with their get-togethers. In some cases, the garage has become the go-to place for studying, working out, crafting, or playing games. The driveway can also be an extension of this often under-utilized space. For those who want to ring in the New Year, the garage may be the best space to have a New Year's Eve party.
Social Distancing, Holiday Style
By temporarily moving your vehicles out of your garage, this frees up a large, open space, which is ideal for a socially distanced gathering. In addition, you can keep the garage door partially or wide open to allow extra ventilation and air circulation. With the garage door open, guests can spill out into the driveway. Portable fire pits can help keep everyone warm, since the temperatures in Illinois can be frigid in the winter. Heat lamps may also be a wise investment for outdoor entertaining.
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