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Recent Blog Posts
Hosting an Independence Day Celebration in Your Garage
The Fourth of July is a day when we come together as a community to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, which officially announced that the United States was its own country separate from Great Britain. As a federally recognized holiday, it is an ideal day off from work to enjoy the summer and celebrate our freedoms.
Independence Day is only a few days away, and many people's celebration plans are well underway. Festivities take many forms, including parades, festivals, barbeques, and block parties. When planning for the holiday, your garage can offer a functional space for hosting your get-together.
Decorations
If you are going to host a themed party, it is essential to set the tone by utilizing a fair amount of decorations. Although you can celebrate the day without them, decorations show thoughtfulness and intention. A few classic options include:
Using patriotic tablecloths to cover the food and beverage tables.
Hanging banners that say "America" or "USA."
Scattering flags around the area, in centerpieces, wreaths, plants, or lining the driveway.
Making your driveway a patio for a day by putting out tables, chairs, and umbrellas.
Splurging on red, white, and blue pillows for the patio furniture to provide added comfort for fireworks displays.
Simple Vehicle Maintenance Tasks You Can Perform in Your Garage
For many families, a vehicle purchase is a significant financial investment, second only to the family home. Car loans typically last five to seven years; yet, if neglected, the vehicle will not last the entire duration of the payments. Today's cars have a significant amount of technology onboard, making it more difficult to make repairs without specialized equipment. However, there are some basic maintenance tasks you can perform that will keep your car running efficiently, well past paying the last car note. Here are some simple things you can take care of from your garage or your driveway:
Change the Windshield Wiper Blades
A driver must be able to see what is in front of them to operate their vehicle safely in all weather conditions. Clear visibility becomes even more critical during hazardous driving conditions. Wiper blades wear out quickly and need to be replaced every six months to a year, although usage and weather exposure can shorten their lifespan. Check your blades periodically for cracks or tears. Watch for indications of wear, such as streaking, skipping, or a harsh, squeaking sound. Replacements are easily installed. However, most auto parts stores will change them free of charge when you purchase the wipers.
Finding Balance Between Your Laundry Area and Garage Space
Whether you enjoy or detest washing the laundry, the simple fact is that it is a necessity. Clothes need cleaning at a seemingly unstoppable rate. One of the biggest complaints is not about the frequency of the chore, however, but instead about the location of the laundry space. Laundry areas have no set sizing standards, which frequently results in their exclusion from original floor plans. Many builders add in the washer and dryer connections as an afterthought. The most common "out-of-the-way" location is the garage. Laundry is troublesome enough, let alone in the dimly lit and non-climate controlled environment meant for vehicle parking. Here are a few tips for managing a laundry area in your garage:
Declutter and Clean
Many families opt to use their garage space for extra storage. Some items commonly found in this storage space are yard tools, fitness equipment, out-of-season holiday decorations, spare furniture, and those mystery boxes that never got unpacked during the last move. These items are great hiding spots for rodents, reptiles, and insects, all of which are unwelcome surprises while doing laundry. If you spend a couple of weekends reducing clutter and deep cleaning your garage, you will be surprised at how much more appealing the area can become.
Keep Unwanted Insects Out of Your Garage with These Tips
In the summer months, insects seek the shade, warmth, and food sources generously offered by your house. Garages, in particular, provide plenty of protective hiding spots for these pests to make a home. Prevent unwanted guests such as flies, mosquitoes, ants, and wasps using these tips:
Flies
Flies are annoying, and they can carry various diseases that can make you very sick. There are several variations of flies, and each is attracted to different substances. Common house flies are attracted to decaying organic materials such as feces or rotten meat, while fruit flies seek out substances with a high amount of sugar, such as fruit, soda, and alcohol. If you remove their food source, such as by keeping your garbage cans away from your garage, the flies will find somewhere else to live. Additionally, flies also do not like air movement. Avoid stagnant air by installing a fan; not only will this help you stay more comfortable, but the wind will also deter flies.
How Your Garage Door Enhances Your Home’s Curb Appeal
When preparing to sell a home, the amount of curb appeal the property has is one of the top focal points that add to the home's value. Curb appeal is the realty term given to the attractiveness of the exterior of a house, as well as its surroundings. If a home is pleasing to the eye when a prospective buyer pulls into the driveway, it is said to have high curb appeal, which can significantly increase the value of the home. In fact, this factor makes up 70% of the home buying decision, according to many realtors. Some elements cannot be altered, like the house being located directly across from a gas station. However, homeowners can make simple modifications to make potential buyers notice. One of the quickest changes that can add long-lasting value to a home is to upgrade the garage door.
How to Improve Your Garage Door
The vast majority of suburban homes have a garage door on the same side as the front door, both of which face the street. Given the fact that garage doors are significantly larger than entryways, the garage frequently sets the tone for the appearance of your home. A high-quality door can give your home an instant upgrade, attracting serious buyers. To get away from the standard box garage door and add dimension and visual appeal that makes your home stand out, consider these upgrades:
Tips to Create a Summer-Ready Garage
Summer is officially here. The sun is up, and the temperature is rising, luring everyone out of their homes, a welcome change after being cooped up all winter long. The kids will soon be out of school and searching for some fun in the sun to keep the summer boredom at bay. The temperature is also ideal for plant growth, which means that bugs are beginning to make their way back into our lives. All of these summertime activities often lead to a rise in garage usage. Between the bikes, yard tools, and pesticides, this space can become dangerously crowded if mismanaged. Here are a few solutions to keep using your garage efficiently, even in its busiest months.
Bikes, Scooters, and Sports Gear
Bikes and scooters are cumbersome and take up valuable storage space, especially if they are not in constant usage. Consider getting your wheels off of the ground by hanging them on a designated rack mounted on usable wall space or the ceiling.
Protecting Your Garage During Thunderstorm Season
As the weather improves after a cold winter, many homeowners are preparing to get the most out of their homes in the spring and summer months. However, the warmer weather brings with it another issue that people should be prepared for: thunderstorms. The heavy rain and hail, strong winds, and lightning that come with these storms can cause damage to a garage, so if you are considering making garage renovations, you should take steps to make sure your garage is protected against severe weather.
Storm-Resistant Garage Doors
The large openings of garage doors make them especially susceptible to the strong winds that can occur during thunderstorms. Since these doors are often lightweight, and they can have limited structural support, they are prone to storm damage.
If you are considering replacing your garage door, you will want to make sure to choose a door that meets local building codes, ensuring that it will stand up to severe weather. It may also be a good idea to invest in a reinforcement system that includes end stiles which brace the door's edges, as well as strong mounting brackets and tracks.
Blue Sky Builders, Inc. Earns 2017 BBB Complaint Free Award
Blue Sky Builders, Inc. (BSB) is happy to announce earning the 2017 Better Business Bureau (BBB) Complaint Free Award. To achieve this award, our Downers Grove garage building company was required to receive zero complaints in 2017. This marks the 6th year that Blue Sky Builders, Inc. has won this award and is a reflection of the work and customer service that Blue Sky Builders, Inc. prides itself on since 1979. BBB has also accredited Blue Sky Builders, Inc. with an A+ rating which deems that BSB has excelled in the factors that the Better Business Bureau considers most important to customers.
Criteria to Receive an A+ Better Business Bureau Rating
- Have no complaints filed with BBB against the business.
- Be a business that does not raise marketplace concerns or is believed to operate in violation of the law.
- Have reliable information about the length of time in business.
Improving Your Home’s Appeal With Garage Door Windows
There are many ways for homeowners to use their garage, ranging from simply having a place to park cars, to creating a great spot to socialize, to a wide variety of other different ideas. In the Chicago and DuPage County area, the weather is warming up for the spring, and many people may be considering how to improve their garage's atmosphere by using garage door windows to bring in more light. By adding these types of windows to a garage door, a homeowner can improve their home's appearance and make it more inviting.
Types of Garage Door Windows
Decorative garage door windows are a great way to enhance the design of a garage. These windows can brighten the interior of the garage, complement the rest of the décor of the home, and provide personal privacy through the use of opaque glass. Decorative windows can be added to an existing garage door, or a homeowner may wish to replace their garage door with one that includes windows that match the style of the rest of their home.
New Technologies and Special Features for Custom Garages
Everyone deserves a garage that best fits their needs and wants. During this time of the year, you may be starting to consider the types of features you would like to have for your garage. If you just want a place to store your car and other personal items, or if you are planning to use your garage to host social gatherings, you will want to be up to date with the best features that will give your garage a unique feel.
Technology and Smart Home Features
As new technologies continue to be developed, they can provide some great solutions for your garage. Some of the most helpful technologies include home automation features that can be tied into one network through your home security interface. With this type of technology, you can use your smartphone to activate certain features when you are away from home, including turning lights on and off, locking or unlocking doors, opening or closing your garage door remotely, and activating or deactivating your security alarm.
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