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Build a Garage that Showcases Your Car
If you are a car collector, you may desire a space where you can display your wheels. Whether you are building a new garage or remodeling your own, it is beneficial to come up with a plan in order to create a garage that is best fit for you. The first step you may want to consider when planning is to break down your design ideas into exterior and interior. Then continue with mapping out your garage with specifics depending on the placement of each material. There are some elements you may wish to incorporate into your design, including:
Installing special lights
You can set up lights in your garage to focus on your cars that you want to display. Whether the lights are on the inside or the outside of your garage, you want them to be complimentary of the surroundings. For example, using materials that are similar to the design of your house may help the structure of the garage tie into your overall property.
Building a detached showcase garage
If you do not want to remodel your attached garage, another option is to build a detached garage in another area entirely so that you do not infringe upon your homestead. In these situations, it is important to consider design elements that bring together all of the surrounding areas, such as landscape. For example, if you wish to build a garage in a dense tree area, you can come up with an idea that connects to the outdoorsy style like a wood cabin. Keep in mind that you may need to install climate control to preserve your collection depending on if you live in a humid or dry climate. This is important to consider because materials such as leather can shrink or crack if there is not enough moisture in the air.
Climate Can Affect Your Type of Garage
Weather conditions can play a role in the material that you decide to build your garage with. For example, if you live in a tropical climate, such as Florida, the weather is typically on warm. However, it is damp because of the amount of rain and humidity that is produced annually. Knowing that you live in these conditions, it is beneficial to take precautionary steps by protecting your garage with a steel door in case of intense storms. There are a variety of options in which you can decide to build your garage with depending on your city's temperature and climate.
Heat and sun of the west coast:
You may want to install fiberglass or a plastic garage door in warmer climates. Fiberglass can be useful if you live in a sunny region near the ocean because the material is light. This material is also low-maintenance. However, it may fade over time as it ages and from the sunlight.
Midwest snowy and cold temperatures:
Protecting your garage from the freezing temperatures during a Chicago winter can take a good amount of preparation. One way to prevent any damage is to install a wooden door to your garage. This will be useful when winter rolls around, the temperature is below zero, the winds are 30 mph, and the snow is blowing against the side of your home. Placing installation on the walls and roof of your garage can also help keep the temperature warm.
Top 5 Reasons to Build a New Garage
Whether you are designing a garage from the ground up or replacing your old garage, there are a number of reasons as to why you might need to build a new garage. Before you begin the process, a few thoughts you may want to keep in mind are to communicate with your building permit office and neighbors so that they are aware are you building a garage, take the time to understand the city rules regarding garages, make sure that the measurements of your lot are accurate, draw up a plan on your computer, and double check that your new garage plan gets approved.
Increase your home's value:
Adding a new feature to your home, such as a garage, will most likely result in your house being worth more money. When you are ready to sell, potential homebuyers will be aware that your garage was built new and that has added value to the overall cost of your home.
An added space for your gatherings:
Your old garage may not have been big enough to host events. After creating a new garage, you can design it to have multipurpose functions for you and your family to enjoy.
5 Advantages of a Detached Garage
If you do not have enough space in your home to enjoy all the activities that you desire, consider investing in a detached garage. There are a number of benefits that can come with a detached garage. Whether you need more storage room or an area for your office, this extra space has potential benefits and can be customized to your specific needs. Once you have made your decision to invest in a detached garage and building permits have been approved, you can begin to brainstorm different interior ideas.
Spare bedroom: Having an overnight guest can sometimes be less stressful if they have their own space to enjoy. With the addition of a detached garage, your guests will be able to feel comfortable knowing they can close enjoy alone time at the end of the night.
Extra office space: All of the rooms in your house may be occupied by beds and dressers. A detached garage can serve as the extra room you always wanted to make into an office. Just add a desk and a chair, and you are off to a great start.
5 Ways to Quick Fix Your Garage During the Winter
Although the weather has gotten warmer in Chicago, that does not mean you should wait to get a head start on preparing your garage for more cold temperatures. One way to be proactive is to implement necessary quick fixes to your garage. There are a few different ways you can provide your garage with the care it needs.
Fix or replace weatherstripping:
The purpose of applying weatherstripping to your garage door is to seal any gaps between the door and the garage opening. If it is left on for too long it can crack and allow air to seep in and bring in cold drafts. First, you want to remove the old weatherstripping with a tool such as a pry bar or a scraper. Once the surface is smooth, you can then install the new weatherstripping. It is best to apply when the garage door is closed so the stripping is aligned properly.
Insulate garage walls:
A great form of insulation is fiberglass. To install it correctly you must choose the proper thickness for your walls. After you have completed those measurements, make sure that you securely fasten and cut the insulation to the exact length needed.
How to Clean Up Melted Snow in Your Garage
As the sun begins to stay in the sky for just a little longer each day, the winter weather slowly starts to fade away in the Chicagoland area. As the snow melts, your garage may become damaged due to the excess water. However, there are a number of tactics you can tackle in order to clean up any messes made in your garage and prevent any damages from happening in the future.
Discover where the water is coming from:
Snow can be brought into your garage by a number of ways. One major one is by you pulling your car in and out of your garage every day in the winter. Snow can get stuck under your car or on your tires and melt overnight, causing water to seep through the surface and cause long term damage to your garage floor or walls. You may discover that melting snow is coming in through openings around your garage door too. Knowing the root of the problem will make it easier to keep it from happening again.
Discover the Type of Garage Floor Mat You Should Use
There are many different garage maintenance tasks you can implement in order to protect your floor from the wear and tear of harsh weather. One way to take preventative measures is to lay down a garage floor mat. These protective mats come in a variety of styles and sizes so that you may add a mat to your garage as well.
Installing a mat is done for a variety of reasons toprotecting your garage from wear and tear. A few conditions a mat can guard your garage floor against are heavy duty snow, oil leaks from a car, and spills. While there are a number mat materials you can choose from, it is beneficial to understand the pros of each one before you make a purchase.
Drymate fabric garage floor mat: For those of you who live in Illinois, you know that winter time usually comes with a good amount of snow. To prevent flooding caused by melted snow in your garage, apply a Drymate fabric garage mat. It has the ability to absorb liquids while providing an anti-slip surface.
4 Ways to Evaluate Your Garage Performance this Winter
Illinois winters can be rough on your garage. With this season comes freezing temperatures, snowy and wet conditions, and sometimes even high winds. However, there are a number of ways to evaluate the performance of your garage during the winter.
Provide a winter maintenance check to the exterior of your garage:
Harsh winter conditions can cause the exterior of your garage to rust or become damaged. In order to evaluate the performance of the outside of your garage, you will need a few useful cleaning supplies to see just how sturdy your garage is. These supplies can include a rag or mop in the case of any water buildup and salt to put on the ground to prevent ice from forming. Make sure that your external keypad to open and close your garage has not been affected by the cold weather as well. Usually, keypads contain a 9-volt battery, so ensure that there is an ample amount of battery life for the cold winter months. Taking these steps are just a few ways to assess your garage performance.
How to Maintain a Fresh Smelling Garage
Rotten odors may begin to form in your garage if you do not clean it during the long, damp winter months in Illinois. However, there are a few cleaning tactics that you can apply to protect your garage from smells.
Hideaway items with odor:
It may not be possible to eliminate all of the smells from your garage, but you can limit the number of them that are forming. One way to remove some odors is to have a designated storage space where you put all of your items that are a little more smelly than the rest. Keep this area tucked away, so when guests come over, they will not have to deal with the strong odors.
Inspect for cracks:
If there are any cracks in your garage walls or floors, the mold may sneak its way through. In order to prevent this from occurring again, you should remove any water puddles, as long-standing water sometimes attracts mold. Another possible solution is to install a dehumidifier, resulting in the moisture level to drop.
5 Ways to Improve Your Garage Appearance
The overall look of your garage is important for a number of reasons. For one, if your garage is well kept and visually appealing, the chances of a potential homebuyer viewing your home is more likely. It is almost necessary to have the appearance of your garage kept up to date and looking presentable if you are planning on selling your home in the near future. Here are just a few ways to help beautify an average garage.
1. Upgrade your garage door:
The door is usually the largest and most prominent part of your garage. So it is beneficial to make sure it attracts someone's attention but in a good way. There are many different types of garage door materials you can use to update your door, such as aluminum (one of the most popular materials), vinyl, and wood.
2. Repaint around your garage door:
It can become noticeable when the paint starts to chip away on the outside of your house or garage. Put some time aside to touch up your garage by adding a new shiny coat when the weather gets warm in the spring. The color does not have to be a bright or vibrant. As long as it looks professional, you are off to a great start.
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