424 Ogden Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515
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Recent Blog Posts
Find the Perfect Siding for Your Custom Garage
When customizing your brand new or recently remodeled garage, one important decision you will have to make is which siding you would like on the exterior of your garage. Like siding for a home, there are multiple garage siding options to choose from, depending on your specific needs. Shopping for siding is a lot like shopping for clothes. What you buy and wear depends on a number of factors including the weather in your area, your location, and your budget. Some siding options work best in cooler climates, while others are great at withstanding high temperatures. Siding comes in expensive options, and fancier options for those looking to spend more. Unlike clothing, however, siding is not changed very often, and while painting and modifications can change a structure's appearance, most of us count on our siding to last for years without requiring too much maintenance. When searching for the right siding option for your garage, check out some of these popular choices.
Springtime Garage Inspection Checklist
Garages are one of the most heavily used spaces within a home, yet many garages do not receive the TLC they need and deserve. Fortunately, garages are low maintenance, but they are not maintenance free. This spring or early summer, take time to inspect your garage for wintertime damage, and plan to make repairs, remodels, or rebuild if necessary. A damaged garage is a safety risk to your family and could be decreasing your home's value. Here are tips to keep your garage in it's best shape and five important things to check out during your inspection.
Garage Floor
The first thing to check out during a garage inspection is your garage floor. Garage specialists recommend cleaning your floor once a year to prevent slipping, stains, and damage caused by wintertime road salts and car fluids. This can be as simple as hosing down the concrete. If you notice areas that are more prone to damage than others, such as areas under your car damaged by snow melt, consider solutions like floor mats or treating your floor with a sealant. Garage floor sealants help make cleaning easier and prevent discoloration and damage. For a two car garage, a do-it-yourself sealant treatment runs around $800 to $1,200, while a professional application can be upwards of $2,000.
Garage Doors 101
Most of us do not shop for garage doors very often, so when the time comes, making a decision can be difficult. If this is your first time shopping for a garage door, or if it has been a while since you have purchased a new door, welcome to Garage Doors 101. Here are all the factors you need to know about and weigh during your search for a perfect new door.
Door Design
Today's garage doors are available in many different styles, colors, and sizes, so find one that fits your needs. Do you want windows? A wide variety of window options are available, and windows on a garage door compliment most homes. Are you looking for a class, paneled door design? Consider a steel garage door model. Or maybe you are looking for the sophisticated touch of a carriage house door model? If you home has a modern design, an aluminum door with glass can be a nice touch, and one that requires little maintenance.
Color is also an important factor to keep in mind. You want a color that compliments your home, or adds a pop to the front of your property. Examine the rest of your home, and search for a door that matches well. The team at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. can also help you make a smart choice when it comes to door style.
Which Garage Roofing Material Is Right for Your Garage?
The roof is a major part of any garage building or remodeling project. With the wide variety of roofing materials available today, choosing one can be difficult. You need a material that matches the aesthetic of your garage, will protect your garage's contents, and one that will work well in your local climate. Different materials have different costs associated with them. Some are more expensive to install; others are cheaper but may require additional maintenance down the road. To help you choose, here are a few roofing materials often chosen for garages, and some benefits and drawbacks associated with each of them.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are a popular choice for roofing. In fact, these types of shingles are the most commonly used residential roofing materials today in the United States. Asphalt shingles are available in a wide variety of colors, and are lightweight, meaning they will not add excessive strain to your roof. For those in rainier climates, asphalt shingles can be beneficial, as they do not easily absorb water, making them also safe from frost damage. A major disadvantage of asphalt shingles is their ability to absorb heat, meaning they can boost temperatures in your garage all summer long. If you spend a lot of time in your garage, you may find an air conditioner is necessary with asphalt shingles, another cost to keep in mind. Lighter colors of shingles can help keep temperatures down. Asphalt shingles typically have a 15 to 20 year lifespan, but excessive heat can cause damage that may make it necessary to replace sooner.
Which Driveway Style Should You Choose?
Driveway design may seem like an afterthought to many homeowners. Driveways, however, are very important. They play an major role in your overall home design, and the right driveway style can help boost your property value. With the variety of different driveway styles available today, deciding which option to choose can be difficult. You want a driveway that compliments your home and garage, will endure the weather wherever you live, and fits your budget. Below are a few important things to consider during your search for the perfect driveway, as well as a few popular driveway materials.
Plan Ahead
When choosing between the various driveway styles, consider the following:
Curb Appeal: When looking at your home from the street, your driveway makes a big impression. You need to choose a style that compliments your home, meaning that some styles may not be right for you. For example, for a farmhouse cottage style home, a gravel driveway may suit nicely, while a brick driveway may feel out of place.
Liven up Your Home with a Customized Garage Door
For most homeowners, the garage door is a major focal point of the front of your home. Garage doors commonly account for up to 30 percent of the front exterior of a home, so it is important that the door both fits in with the rest of your home and makes a statement. A plain, damaged, or old garage door can lower your property value and stick out like a sore thumb. Fortunately, there are many different garage door customization ideas that can help boost your property value and improve the overall facade of your home.
New Door, New Style
With so many different garage door options to choose from, finding the right fit for your home can be challenging. You want a door that compliments the preexisting aesthetic of your home, but also has that "wow" factor. If you are in need of a door replacement, consult a garage specialist. They can help you pick from the variety of different doors, including stainless steel, carriage, wood, copper, and traditional steel doors. Choose something that matches your home's style but adds some flare to your home. For example, a stainless steel door may be appealing, but it might not fit with a Victorian home. Be sure your door compliments your home.
Why a Detached Garage Is Right for You
If you are in need of a new garage, you are faced with an important choice; do you build an attached or detached garage? Both designs have unique advantages and disadvantages, so it is best to consider your lot size and the intended purpose of your new structure when choosing between the two. Attached garages are often cheaper, as contractors are able to utilize one of your home's pre-existing walls during construction. For those with limited space, however, or for homeowners looking for more freedom during the building process, a detached garage is often the right choice. Below we detail the reasons a detached garage may be the best choice for your home, and some downsides to consider as well.
Lot Size
A detached garage is perfect for a homeowner with ample space behind the home. Many homes in downtown areas have long, narrow lots, providing plenty of room for a detached garage to be constructed. Additionally, if there is an alley behind your home, it is beneficial to have the ability to pull in straight from the alley. A detached garage, however, may eat up a large portion of your back yard area, so if green space is your concern, perhaps an attached garage is the best choice, assuming you have the space on either side of your home for the addition.
Garage Spring Cleaning
While your garage may be one of the lowest maintenance areas of your home, it does require some love, care, and attention every once in awhile. After a long fall and winter, your garage is likely in need of some spring cleaning. Interior and exterior cleaning can help make your garage more usable and help preserve the value of your home. Here is a list of a few common areas that require attention during spring garage cleaning.
Interior Cleaning and Organizing
You might be surprised to learn that 5 percent of homeowners with a two-car garage are unable to park one or both cars within the space. Why? All year long, most of us use our garages as a catchall. Instead of throwing things away, they somehow get relocated to the garage. Depending on how messy your garage has become, you may feel cleaning and organizing is impossible. Do not be discouraged. It may take a weekend or two, but you can get there. Follow these steps:
- Declutter: Depending on the work ahead of you, this project may take a day, a weekend, or longer. Encourage your family to help. Start sorting everything within your garage into four piles – donate, sell, toss, and keep. If the garage is too cluttered to start sorting, pull everything out and sort in the driveway. If you have not used the item within the past year, it is likely time to get rid of it. Take quality items to donation centers, or consider having a yard sale. Recycle anything that can be reused, and toss the rest.
Are You Considering a Garage Expansion?
Whether you are looking to house your in-laws, store an extra vehicle, or add a home office to your property, a garage expansion is a great option to consider. Increasing the size of your garage can be done in a number of ways, and the garage specialists at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. can help you explore the possibilities. An expansion can be done quickly, cost effectively, and can help add value to your home as well as functionality. When deciding whether to expand your existing garage or not, here are few things to consider.
What Is the Purpose of Your Expansion?
The first step in the garage expansion process is determining what the extra square footage will be used for. Are you looking to add living space to your home? Do you need extra storage? Or maybe you are considering adding a workshop to your home? Determine what the extra space will be used for, and go from there.
If extra living space is your goal, consider a FROG, which stands for a finished room over garage. This additional space could be used as a home gym, office, or extra space for guests. Or go a step further, and add a separate apartment above your garage. A new apartment above your garage could be used to accommodate guests, parents and grandparents, or independent teenagers and young adults. Looking for some extra income, or a way to offset the costs of your expansion? Consider adding a separate entrance to the apartment and rent the unit.
Why You May Need to Replace a Garage
Spring is the perfect time to consider updating your garage. How do you know when it is time to rebuild, replace, or remodel? Check out a few signs that may indicate a garage change is right for you.
Your Garage Is No Longer Safe and Efficient
Problems with the structure of your garage can be dangerous. If you have water damage, holes in the roof or walls of your space, or any other structural problems, a garage expert can help you determine if a remodel or rebuild is necessary. You need a space that is safe for your family, and one that stays habitable year round. Additionally, a run down garage will negatively impact the value of your home.
You Want More Living Space
A typical garage accounts for a large amount of a home's total square footage. Whether you are looking for an in-home office, an extra bedroom, or a new workshop, a garage remodel is a great way to add extra living space to your home. Worried about where to park your cars? A detached garage can be built on your property quickly and at a low cost, so you can add extra living space to your home and still have storage for your vehicles.
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