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Setting up an Office in Your Chicago Area Garage
As we are making our way into the new year, some of us have been hard at work reinvigorating ourselves with our New Year's resolutions. Perhaps you have taken it upon yourself to work on some new projects or hobbies? A large part of keeping ourselves interested in particular projects is having an appropriate space to work in. If your home doesn't have such a space, looking out to your garage can become a viable option. With the help of Blue Sky Builders, Inc., converting your garage into an office or work space can be much easier than you might imagine.
Where to Begin
Space is an issue many of us deal with in regard to our homes and garage. If you are running short on space within your garage, the first step may be to look into reorganizing and sorting through the clutter. Consider using overhead storage or reassigning some items to other parts of the house.
Next, you must decide how large the office should be. Are you looking for something small with just a desk and some shelving? This could be adequate for projects and hobbies such as writing, puzzle building, or painting. If this is your situation, a small section of the garage can be converted into the desired space.
Turning Your Chicago Area Garage into A Personal Gym
As the new year winds up, many of us make goals and resolutions to get in better shape. But if you are not a member of a gym already, it may be uncomfortable or inconvenient to get to a gym often. One solution is to convert a room in your home into a personal gym or workout room. However, if you do not have the space in your house, the garage provides an ideal spot for you to set up. Blue Sky Builders, Inc. is here to provide you with a few ideas on how to turn your garage into the ideal workout space for you!
What Should I Consider Before Starting?
There are a couple of points to consider before you jump head-first into the project:
How Large is the Garage?
Having a two-car garage with usage from only one vehicle can be a perfect place to start building your home gym. Any unoccupied space by a car or tools can be cleared out and optimized to fit benches, dumbbell racks, and machines used for cardio such as a treadmill or a rowing machine.
What Are My Goals?
Establishing what you want to accomplish will help you figure out your needs. If you are looking to gain muscle, then you will need to look into free weights, barbells with plates, or more substantial units such as a leg press or a cable machine. If you are more interested in cardio or yoga, you will need items more geared toward those needs such as yoga mats, elastic bands, and a treadmill.
New Year Means a New Garage
A new year can be a time to start fresh and make resolutions to make improvements. Most of these goals for the year may include ways to stay fit, eat better, or read more. Not all your resolutions have to be aimed at yourself, however. Starting a new year can also be the perfect time to improve your garage . In fact, renovating your garage can also be a useful step in helping you achieve other new years goals.
Out with the Old
As we all know, the garage can become a dumping zone for odds and ends very quickly. This seems to be especially true during the winter. Although it is not an exciting task, going through the clutter and getting organized is the first step for bringing your garage into the new year.
- Sort through tools - Making sure everything has a spot is vital for staying organized. As you go through everything, assess your belongings if you truly need all of them. If there are certain items that you no longer use or have broken, now is the best time to let them go.
Tips for Heating Your Chicago Area Garage
We have talked before about various methods of controlling the climate in your garage, but what are your options for heating a garage ? Chicago area winters are often bitterly cold, and this year is proving to be no different. Keeping your garage warm and comfortable during winter can be beneficial or even necessary in some cases. Blue Sky Builders, Inc. is here to give you a few ideas to find what method of heating is best for you and your garage.
Electric Heaters
There are a few different options when it comes to electric heaters. Though they are not a permanent solution and can be dangerous –– a portable electric heater can be handy in a pinch. They can be good if you do not need to be in the garage for a long time, but be careful not to knock them over or leave them on for long periods.
Mounted electric heaters or baseboard heaters are a safer option as they are fixed and provide a more permanent solution. These can be fairly cost-effective, given the garage is properly insulated.
How To Winterize Your Garage Door
By now we know that preparing your garage for winter is essential in the Great Lake Region. However, a vital part of your garage often gets overlooked in the process. The garage door is obviously very important to the function of the structure, but most people are unaware of how to winterize it. Fortunately, Blue Sky Builders, Inc. has several suggestions to make sure your garage operates correctly all winter long.
What to Do Before Winter
There are quite a few steps you can take before winter gets too rough to guarantee that everything runs as it should.
Check Your Batteries - A faulty garage door opener is the last thing you want at the end of a cold, long work day. The batteries in most remote openers are easy to locate and replace. Consider changing them out at the start of the season if it has been a while since they were last changed.
It is also a good idea to check the battery in the external keypad if your garage has one. Unlike remotes, most keypads require a 9-volt battery. In both cases of the keypad and openers, it is beneficial to keep a set of spare batteries on hand at any given time.
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Attached and Detached Garages
You may find yourself purchasing an older home that is missing a garage . Perhaps you are planning to build a custom home with a personalized garage construction. Whatever the case, if you choose between an attached or detached garage, how do you decide? The immediate response may be to build a garage that is attached to the home, however, that may not suit your needs. Blue Sky Builders, Inc. can help guide you through the pros and cons of both styles so you find what is perfect for you.
Detached Garages
A major factor in your decision could be based on your property. If the plot of land you are building on is long but narrow, a garage behind the home may be the option. In some neighborhoods, it may be very common for homes to have alleys running behind them. This is often where a garage will be placed as the land is not wide enough to allow a buildout on the side of the house.
Another benefit of a detached garage is privacy. If you live in a home where the residents have different work schedules and someone needs to leave early in the morning, a garage away from the house can reduce the noise and disturbance it may cause the others in the house. Similarly, if you work on projects out in the garage, it can give you more freedom to work in peace at any hour.
Tips on Insulating Your Chicago Area Garage
Cold weather has rolled into the Chicagoland area, and though you may be warm in your home, there is likely one area in your home that is having to deal with the elements more than the rest. If you are among the majority of homeowners, your garage is equipped with little or no insulation. Despite this being the norm for most homes, it is not ideal. Insulation in the garage is highly beneficial to the structure and you as the owner. Luckily, Blue Sky Builders, Inc. has you covered when it comes to tips on insulating your garage.
Why Insulate at All?
You may be asking yourself, "is it even necessary to insulate my garage?" The answer is undoubtedly –– yes. Not only does insulation allow the space to become more accessible and comfortable during the winter season, but it also improves the safety of your home. Installing an appropriate "fire-rated" insulation to the structure gives you another layer of protection should a fire start.
Before you Begin
Determine if you are doing the job yourself. If you are, make sure you have the appropriate materials and tools. These can include insulation, foam to fill gaps, drywall, screws, and a screwdriver. Do not forget to wear gloves and long sleeves when handling the insulation as it can irritate the skin.
Fun Holiday Decoration Ideas for Your Garage
Even though the holiday season appears to start earlier and earlier every year, the coldest day of the year seems to be the day you decide to put up holiday decorations. At the end of the process, it can feel quite rewarding to stand back and admire the miniature winter wonderland you create. There are no limits to how you can decorate your home, but what are some clever ideas for incorporating your garage into the design? Here are just a few options for decorating your garage this holiday season.
The Garage Door
There are several options for the garage door when it comes to unique holiday designs. Think of it as a canvas for you to personalize. Though your garage door type may influence what you wind up displaying, most of these options will work with any door.
Projector - Projectors have become more common over the past few years. Classic white garage doors are very useful for projecting patterns. They are resistant to harsh temperatures and water. Many have winter-appropriate patterns such as snowflakes or stars that can really complement a light display. A projector can usually cover a lot of space as well.
Ways To Upgrade Your Chicago Area Garage
Are you getting the most out of your garage or is it just a space to store things and park a car? Your garage can be so much more. An upgrade to your garage can give you more opportunities to utilize the space and increase your home's value. Here are a few examples of how you can spruce up your garage and turn it into a brand-new space!
Practical Upgrades
There are a few different routes you can take when making upgrades to your garage. The first step is cleaning up and organizing the space to get a scope of your garage. This can also help bring to light any areas that could use improvement.
Connecting a Detached Garage - If your house and garage are separate, perhaps it is time to look into connecting the two with a breezeway or corridor. This is contingent on a few factors but is definitely worth looking into if it is an option for you financially.
Adding Additional Storage - If you find yourself struggling with keeping things organized in the garage, consider looking into additional cabinets or other storage systems. A lot of garages have overhead space that could be better utilized with shelving to store items. New shelving, hook systems, and storage lockers are also great ideas.
Preparing Your Garage for the Illinois Winter
Winter is rapidly approaching and with it, the cold temperatures of DuPage County. As the weather changes, you may find yourself using your garage less for projects and primarily for storage and protecting your vehicle. Make sure you are prepared for the frigid temperatures by getting your garage in order and organized to the best of your ability. Staying on top of your garage tasks and responsibilities can leave you with a fresh mindset the following spring season.
Tidy Up the Space
Before the big chill, make sure your garage is in order. You don't want all your tools and items laying about when the temperatures drop. Cleaning up and putting everything away as best you can keep you feeling good about your space all through the colder months. Additionally, with everything in an organized system, you will be able to locate whatever you may need in the garage faster. This ensures that in the event of grabbing something from the garage, you are not stuck out in the cold digging around for a misplaced hammer or light.
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