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Getting Your Garage Ready for the Spring
Spring is now here, which means that it is time for many people to think about how to get their garages ready for the upcoming warmer weather. In the Chicago and DuPage County area, the weather was very cold during the winter, and this may have resulted in a variety of issues which may need to be resolved, such as cracked caulking on a garage door or the invasion of unwanted creatures. Here are some tips on how to get your garage in order this spring:
Organize Items Needed for Spring Use
As the weather warms up, many people like to play sports, ride bikes, and participate in other outdoor activities. Unfortunately, bikes, sports equipment, and other items often become very disorganized during the months that they are not in use. While getting your garage organized may seem pretty daunting at first, there are several easy ways to put your garage in order.
First of all, if you do not have enough floor space to store balls, you can consider building a bungee cord storage solution. All you need are a few bungee cords and two square frames. Mount the frames to your garage wall and hook the cords to the frames, and you will have a secure way to store balls or other equipment.
Different Styles of Garages
A garage can have many purposes. Whether you are hosting the ideal social gathering, using your space as a game room, storing household items, or simply parking your car at night, you want your garage to look its absolute best. As the spring weather arrives in the Chicago and DuPage County area, you may be planning to renovate or rebuild your garage. There are several different styles of garage, and choosing the style that works best for you is one of the key decisions in creating a great-looking garage that meets your needs.
Gable Style Garage
The gable garage is one of the more common garage styles, and it matches the roof style of many homes. This type of garage has a sloping roof on two sides, creating a triangular appearance on the side where the garage door is located and allowing for customization such as windows and trim.
A gable garage is typically less expensive than a hip garage, because it does not require as much roofing materials. However, gable garages tend to be less durable than hip garages. Gable garages can be beneficial in Illinois, since they provide very good protection against rain and snow.
The Best Times of Year for Garage Rebuild or Renovation Projects
Your garage is not just a small building where you park your car. Depending on your lifestyle, you may spend a great amount of time in your garage. Whether you are using your garage for storage, hosting a get-together, inviting friends over for a game of pool, or just relaxing, it can be a haven from the hectic life that many of us face every day. During this time of year, you may be planning to see how you can update your garage to better meet your needs, and you are probably wondering when the best time would be to build a new garage or renovate your old one.
Timing is Everything
Late winter and early spring is a great time to start building an addition to your home. When the ground is frozen, and the air is dry, it can be easier to dig a foundation and pour concrete footers.
Many homeowners make the decision to build a new garage in the spring or early summer. Implementing new ideas during this time allows them to get the most use out of their garage throughout the summer and fall. However, since spring is considered to be home-building season, the cost of labor and materials for your garage may be greater during this time, due to higher demand.
New Gadgets and Apps for Your Garage in 2018
Spring is just around the corner, and as the weather warms up in the DuPage County area, many of us are thinking of ideas on how to update and improve our garages for the spring and summer. The availability of inexpensive high-tech gadgets that connect with our smartphones provides a great opportunity to upgrade your garage's systems, allowing you to get the best use out of your space.
What Are Some of the Newest Gadgets and Apps?
There are a huge variety of technologies available, and some of the benefits they can provide include:
- Remote garage door control - Few things are as frustrating as leaving your home in a hurry, only to remember that you forgot to close your garage door when you are a few blocks away. Some newer garage door openers can alleviate these concerns by allowing homeowners to control their garage door remotely through a simple application on their smartphone. By using this app, you can track when your garage door opens or closes at any time during the day or night and have full control of your door, no matter where you are.
A Checklist for Spring Cleaning Your Garage
Spring is just around the corner. As the weather starts to warm up in the Chicago area and DuPage County, this is a good opportunity to plan for spring cleaning around your home, and your garage is no exception. As you plan to clean, organize, and maintain your garage in the coming months, the following checklist will allow you to stay on top of the tasks you will need to complete.
Cleaning and Organizing Your Garage
A garage spring cleaning and organization project can be a large undertaking. Here are some steps to follow:
- It is best to start by getting rid of all the items in your garage that you do not need or are unlikely to ever use. You may be able to donate items to charity, or you could throw them out at a local dump or recycling center.
- Sweep the garage out to remove all the dirt, dust, and dead bugs that have accumulated during the winter. Use a shop-vac to clean corners and other areas that are hard to reach.
Customizing Your Garage for Large Vehicles
Getting a new truck or SUV can be a fun and exciting experience, and whether you are planning to use it for work, to transport your family, or to host hayrides or other fun activities, you are likely looking forward to getting the most out of your vehicle. However, one thing you may not have considered is whether your new truck will fit in your garage. Depending on the size of your truck, you may need to make changes to your garage to better accommodate your vehicle.
Measuring and Remodeling
Before shopping for a taller vehicle, it is very important to take measurements of your garage and garage door. Measure the height, length, and width of the garage and the height and width of the door, making sure to consider the space needed for garage door hinges. When comparing the space in your garage to the size of your truck, be sure to account for how the truck's bumpers may add to its length or width.
Lowering your truck may be the best option to help it fit into your garage. It may be a good idea to remove roof racks or lights to add some space, and you may be able to lower the suspension by swapping in smaller tires.
How to Set Up Your Garage for an Electric Car
Electric cars are becoming more and more common, and they provide their owners with a number of benefits, including efficient use of energy and savings on fuel. As electric cars continue to evolve to suit a market that wants to conserve energy, many people are considering purchasing one of these vehicles. However, before making the move away from a gas-powered car, it is important to understand the changes which will need to be made to your garage to accommodate an electric vehicle.
Installing a Home Charging Station
In order to charge your car's battery while you are not driving it, you will need to install a home charging station in your garage. At the very least, an electric car requires a 120-volt circuit, but a typical car can take 20 to 25 hours to fully charge when using a standard household outlet.
To cut down on charging time, it is best to use a 240-volt charger, which can charge a vehicle in half the time. These chargers require the installation of a dedicated 240-volt outlet, which can be done by an electrician.
Valentine’s Day Gifts for the Garage Enthusiast
This Valentine's Day, if you are having trouble coming up with a gift for that special someone, you may want to consider an improvement to your garage. Your garage is an important part of your house, and finding the perfect upgrade or addition that helps you make the best use of your space can be a great idea for an unexpected and innovative gift.
Valentine's Day Ideas for Your Garage
There are many ways to make your favorite garage enthusiast happy this Valentine's Day. If they need more storage in their garage, a wall box is a great solution. The assembly and installation of these types of cabinets is typically very simple, and they can provide secure storage of items in your garage. Depending on the type and brand of the wall box, they can be made out of durable steel that is guaranteed to last, and they can use powerful magnetic catches to ensure that their doors stay closed.
Garage shelves are another great solution that can be used to store bins, tools, and other items in a place where they are not cluttering up the floor of your garage and making it hard to move around within the space. Ideally, shelves should be deep enough to fit the items you need to store, and they can include hooks to hang bikes and other equipment.
Choosing the Right Material for Your New Garage Door
In the Chicago and DuPage County area, we experience cold winters, warm summers, and everything in between. Any homeowner will want to make sure their garage will survive these extremes, as well as the abrupt changes in temperature which can often occur. One key area of consideration is the material used for your garage door. Whether you are planning to replace your garage door or completely renovate or rebuild your garage, it is important to understand the pros and cons of the different types of garage doors that are available.
Steel Garage Doors
The most popular type of garage door is made out of steel, which is affordable and durable. Steel garage doors typically last for a long time and are weather resistant, making this type of garage door the best choice for any climate. Another benefit of a steel garage door is that it is possible to customize the door with different colors of paint, paneling styles, or window designs. Steel garage doors will not warp or crack, and they do not require much maintenance, since this type of material is very strong. Steel garage doors, however, do not provide much insulation.
Storing and Maintaining Snow Removal Equipment in Your Garage
During the winter in the Chicago area and DuPage County, we often experience unexpected changes in the weather. Sudden snowfall can be difficult to deal with, so it is always a good idea to make sure that your snow removal equipment is easily accessible and ready to use. Here are some tips for organizing and maintaining your snow removal equipment in your garage:
Storing and Organizing Shovels
Snow shovels come and many shapes and forms, and you will likely have more than one shovel which you keep in your garage, along with other shovels, rakes, and yard equipment. Installing a rack to store snow shovels and other equipment is a great way to ensure that these items will be easily accessible. During the winter, snow shovels can be stored in the front of the rack, and other items can be kept in the back until they are needed. If you have children, you may want to install hooks to keep the equipment secure.
Keeping a Snowblower Maintained
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