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Recent Blog Posts
How to Turn Your Garage Into a Dream Space for a Chicago Sports Fanatic
With people spending more and more time at home these days due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many have utilized their garage space like never before. From turning your garage into a home office or gym to using it as a rec room, it can provide a practical and inviting area for your friends and family to gather. There is no time like the present to show your love for your favorite Chicago sports team. Whether it is the Bears, Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks, Fire, or Sky, you can share your pride in a fun and festive way. If you are more of a college sports fan, don your garage walls with items showing your support of schools like Northwestern, Loyola, DePaul, or the University of Illinois. Not only can this improve the aesthetics of your garage, but it may also increase your home's overall value.
Converting That Old Garage Into a Winner
With many major sports teams not permitting fans in the stands to combat the spread of the coronavirus, the only option is to watch games on television instead of in person. Since we are all craving a change of scenery, why not create one in your own garage? Now that the winter months are upon us, it is the ideal time to tackle a home project you might have been putting off. The garage can be an extension of your home, especially when the weather outside is frightful.
Turning Your Garage Into a Winter Wonderland This Holiday Season
This holiday season, more and more people will be spending time at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With non-essential businesses closed to prevent further spread of the virus, many Illinois residents are entertaining at home more often, and they may be making use of their garage to do so. In some cases, individuals might be utilizing their garage space like never before, turning it into a home office. Decorating your house and garage for the holidays can lift everyone's spirits, from young to old. This may include putting up a Christmas tree or hanging lights from your roof or siding, or even placing inflatable Santas or snowmen in your yard or driveway. Below are some tips for creating a magical holiday scene on the inside or outside of your garage.
Holiday Decorating Tips
There are various simple decorating tips that you can still do even while on a budget this holiday. For example, you can use extra garlands that are lying around in bins to enhance the inside of your garage. In addition, you may want to put up a small, pre-lit Christmas tree to make it feel especially cozy. Hanging a wreath on the side access door to the garage or the outside light fixtures always gives a jolly feel to any structure.
The Best Ways to Protect Your Garage During an Illinois Winter
Now that December is here, Illinois residents are bracing for a cold and snowy winter. Preparation is key to survive the often harsh winter conditions, and this may include "winterizing" your home and vehicles. In some cases, people put plastic on their home's windows to keep them insulated and free of drafts. Keeping cars running in the winter may mean putting snow tires on and antifreeze in the engine. Similarly, there are steps homeowners can take to protect their garages during the cold months to preserve and maintain their value. Not only do garages house your automobiles, tools, decorations, and more, they may also be used as home offices during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important now more than ever to keep your garage properly maintained, especially if it is serving multiple purposes.
Inclement Winter Weather Tips
In the Chicagoland area, the period between December and April can see significant precipitation and blizzard-like conditions. This means your home and garage can take a beating during the winter, with snow, ice, sleet, and slush all hitting these structures. Typically, brick, stone, and siding are meant to withstand the outdoor elements, but over time, they can wear down or break.
Why You Should Leave the Demolition of Your Old Garage to the Experts
When updating or remodeling your house, you may want to consider renovating your garage as well. If you have an older home, then it is likely that your garage may need some work, too. Perhaps you have looked into how much work it would take to upgrade your garage, and you may have made the decision to demolish the existing structure and build a new one. This is a major undertaking, so it is best to leave it to the professionals. Not only will it save you money in the long run, but it can also prevent injuries as well as a lot of time and headaches instead of you trying to do it yourself (DIY). Although DIY projects are popular this year because so many people are stuck at home due to COVID-19 restrictions, having a company like Blue Sky Builders, Inc. assist you in tearing down your old garage and building a new custom garage is a wise investment!
Ensuring a Safe and Secure Garage Demolition
Even though you may think demolition is as simple as taking a sledgehammer to your old garage, there are many steps that must be taken prior to doing a "demo" and building a new structure of any kind. Unless you are a professional contractor, it can be downright dangerous for you to tear down your current garage structure. For example, attempting to dismantle a garage door can lead to serious injuries if a cable snaps and the door comes crashing down on your hand or foot.
The Importance of Repairing or Replacing Your Garage Hardware
Maintaining your property and possessions involves replacing parts and equipment when they are damaged or when they wear out. This may include installing anything from new gutters and shingles on a roof to energy-efficient windows to springs and hinges on a garage door. There are many reasons why items may need to be updated, such as exposure to the outside elements or frequent use. For example, your garage door may open and close numerous times every day as you and your family members come and go. Routine maintenance is critical for a garage door to operate efficiently and safely. For professional assistance in fixing or installing new hardware for your garage, Blue Sky Builders, Inc. can help.
Protecting Your Investment
A garage door not only helps seal your home from the outside elements, but it provides security for your vehicles and other valuables. Modern garage doors feature several components that all work together as a system. Some of the main parts include:
What Is the Best Type of Insulation to Use in My Garage?
Winter is coming, and the season can be especially brutal in northern Illinois. While your house is insulated when it is built to keep it warm, not all garages have insulation put in them when they are constructed. It is likely that you and your family have been using your garage more since the COVID-19 pandemic began, so you may want to consider ways to keep it warmer so you can continue utilizing this space even in the cold months.
Keeping the Cold Out
When choosing which materials to use for insulating your garage, you may want to use the same types of insulation that is in the rest of the house. However, depending on whether the garage is finished or not, it may require a different type of insulation. In addition, if you are considering insulating the garage door, it may need a different insulation material than walls or ceilings.
It is important to note that insulation does not necessarily add warmth. In actuality, insulation slows the transfer of heat through an insulated barrier (wall, ceiling, floor). The R-value of insulation is its resistance to conductive heat flow, which is measured or rated in terms of its thermal resistance. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation is.
Is a Carriage Door the Right Choice for Your Garage Remodel?
If you have been spending more time at home lately, you may be thinking about how you would like to improve the value of your house. One way of doing so is renovating your garage, which may include building onto it to increase its square footage or simply replacing the windows or door. There are many different styles of garage doors from which homeowners can choose. For example, some may have windows, while others do not. If you are considering carriage-style garage doors, you may want to go with the traditional "swing out" doors or a faux design that looks like carriage doors but opens up and down like today's more modern garage doors.
Boosting Your Curb Appeal
Garage doors play a pivotal role in your home's "curb appeal," which is what people first notice when driving by or pulling up to your house. Carriage garage doors can be aesthetically pleasing compared to a classic style door, and they may also offer some other benefits, depending on how much space you have in your garage and the way you want your door to open. If you prefer the swing style, you must ensure to have sufficient clearance in front of your garage so there is adequate space for the door to swing out without hitting anything.
The Importance of Cleaning Out Your Garage Gutters in the Fall
A garage can sometimes be considered a smaller, modified version of your home. Your garage may provide additional work space for an office, or it may even include a place to sleep for overnight guests. Gutters are an often overlooked but essential part of your house. These items protect the house from the elements, which can be especially harsh in Illinois. They provide a place for rainfall or snow to go during storms. However, even when it is warm and sunny outside, wind can blow leaves, branches, and even garbage into your gutters. In the autumn months, leaves fall from surrounding trees and land in your gutters. That is why it is crucial to check the gutters on your house and garage periodically and remove any debris so they can do their job.
Routine Maintenance to Protect Your Investments
Most commonly attached to the roofline, gutters are important parts of any building structure. They serve to control the flow of water due to rain or melting ice in order to protect your roof, walls, windows, and foundation. Gutters that become clogged with leaves, sticks, or other items can cause water to travel elsewhere, leading to leaks in the roof or water damage to the exterior and the interior of your home or garage. If water seeps into your home or garage, it could cause significant damage to furniture, appliances, and vehicles. Clogged gutters can also make nice homes for rodents and bee or wasp nests, and they can also lead to the growth of mold. If neglected, gutters can turn from a necessity to a nightmare in no time.
What Are the Benefits of a Wireless Garage Door Keypad?
Today's houses feature the latest advancements to make doing things easier, such as TV remotes that you talk to and security cameras you can monitor on your cell phones. Many high-tech devices are also specifically designed for garages, including wireless keypads for entry. These offer a convenient way to get into your garage if you take a walk and do not want to carry your keys or remote opener. Likewise, they allow kids coming home from school to get into the house if your garage is attached. Those who may be concerned about safety need not fear. Although no home security device is guaranteed to be 100-percent failproof, the convenience and safety features that wireless keypads offer are worth the investment.
Modern Technology
Wireless garage door keypads consist of a numeric pad or even a fingerprint scanner mounted on the side of the garage door, often attached to the wood frame around it. The keypad is linked to a receiver on your garage door opener, allowing you to open your door from the outside by punching in a personal identification number (PIN) without the need for a remote or a key.
What Are the Different Ways to Heat My Garage During the Winter?
These days, many people are spending more time at home due to the coronavirus pandemic. With fall upon us and winter right on its heels, cooler temperatures are coming to Illinois. Family time is great, but there comes a point when you might want to escape for a little "me" time. Turning your garage into a retreat might be easier than you think. By adding a heating element to this space, you can use it during the colder months, not just in the summertime. Read on to learn how you can enhance your garage by making it warm and inviting.
Heating Elements
Determining your heating needs can involve knowing how you will use your garage in the winter. From making crafts to hosting poker night or working out, there are many uses for a garage besides just housing cars or tools. Here are a few ways to safely and reliably heat your garage:
- Insulation: Add insulation to the inside of your garage door and the walls and ceilings, if possible. You can also put clear plastic film over windows to seal any cracks where heat may escape.
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