Recent Blog Posts
Designing Your Dream Garage: The Benefits of Working with a Custom Garage Company
Most homeowners tend to forget about their garages. It often serves as a temporary storage area for our cars and a few extra boxes that do not fit in the house. But why settle for something ordinary when you can have extraordinary? With the help of custom garage companies, you can transform your once-forgotten space into an inviting place where family and friends come together.
Customization Options
One of the major benefits of dealing with a custom garage company is the power to modify your garage design to match your special requirements and preferences. From custom cabinetry and flooring to lighting and organization systems, a custom garage company can provide unique features that are not available with traditional garage renovations.
Time and Cost Savings
A custom garage company can also save you time and money in the long run. While it may initially seem like a more expensive solution, a custom garage is often a more cost-effective solution over time due to its durability and functionality. Additionally, a custom garage company can often complete your project more efficiently, saving time.
Breathe Easy: The Importance of Garage Ventilation and How to Get It Right
A well-ventilated garage is essential for maintaining a safe and comfortable environment, yet it is often overlooked by homeowners. Proper garage ventilation safeguards you from potential dangers like carbon monoxide poisoning and flammable gas build-up while providing a healthier space for you and your family. In this blog post, we will explore the significance of garage ventilation, various ventilation systems, and how you can achieve effective ventilation in your garage.
The Value of Proper Garage Ventilation
The importance of ventilation cannot be overstated. It significantly improves the air quality within your garage by reducing harmful fumes and odors, preventing mold and mildew growth, and ensuring a healthier environment. You can enhance your family's safety by lowering the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and reducing the chance of flammable gas accumulation. Not to mention, adequate ventilation helps regulate temperature, maintaining a comfortable working environment and protecting stored items from extreme temperature fluctuations.
Customizing Your Garage Doors: Combining Style and Security
Your garage door is essential to your home's exterior, providing security and curb appeal. With a custom garage door, you can enhance both aspects and create a look that pairs perfectly with your home. This blog post will explore how customizing your garage doors can add style and security to your home.
Choose the Right Material
When customizing your garage doors, the first step is to choose the right material. You can choose from various options: wood (composite and traditional wood), steel, aluminum, fiberglass, and vinyl. Each material has its benefits and drawbacks, so it is important to consider factors such as durability, cost, and maintenance. For example:
- Wood has the potential to rot. However, wood composite is ideal if you are looking for rot-resistant.
- Vinyl garage doors are great for being noise-resistant and rust-proof.
- Fiberglass is crack resistant and lightweight
- Aluminium may be a great option if you want something that is corrosion free and has various design options.
The Benefits of a Custom Garage: Adding Value to Your Home
Your garage is more than just a space to park your car. With a custom garage, you can transform this area into a functional and attractive space that meets your needs and adds value to your home. Here are some of the benefits of investing in a custom garage.
Increased Storage Space
If your current garage is cluttered and disorganized, a custom garage can help you make the most of the available space. With custom storage solutions, such as cabinets, shelves, and wall organizers, you can keep your tools, equipment, and other belongings organized and easily accessible. This makes it easier to find what you need and frees up space for other activities.
Improved Home Security
A custom garage can also enhance the security of your home. With custom garage doors and entry systems, you can make it more difficult for intruders to enter your home. You can also install security cameras and alarms to monitor activity in and around your garage, providing peace of mind when you are away from home.
5 Safety Tips to Get Your Garage Ready for Spring
As the weather warms up and the snow melts away, many homeowners are excited to start working on spring projects. But before you dive into your to-do list, take some time to get your garage ready for the season by making sure your garage door and other necessary maintenance is done. Your garage can be a hub of activity during the spring, so it is important to ensure it's safe for you and your family.
Here are five tips to help you get your garage ready for spring and keep it safe.
Tip 1: Clear Clutter and Organize
A cluttered garage is a dangerous garage. Piles of boxes, tools, and other items can create tripping hazards and make it difficult to move around. Start by decluttering any items you no longer need or use. Then, organize the remaining items into categories and use storage solutions like shelves, pegboards, and cabinets to keep everything in its place.
Tip 2: Check Electrical Systems
Is Your Garage Door Weather-Ready?
As the winter continues across the country, the midwest is getting exceptionally harsh weather. The Chicago area is not exempt from Mother Nature's cold chill. There are many ways to prepare for such weather and various items that will need your attention. Homeowners will typically make sure that their faucets are dripping, their windows are properly sealed, and their driveways are prepped, but they will often overlook a very important facet of the house. The door to your garage battles all kinds of weather, and Blue Sky Builders, Inc. is here to make certain that it is up to the challenge.
What to Look For?
On the surface, the door to your garage may seem very simple, but it comprises many important parts and features. Checking these different areas of your garage can be done very quickly and can make a world of difference down the road.
Check the exterior weatherstripping - Start on the outside around the border of the door. Make sure there are not any splits or cracks along the sides. Extreme temperatures and sun exposure weaken rubber stripping and can make it brittle. If you notice any ice forming around the weatherstripping, make sure to remove it quickly.
Overhead Storage Ideas for Your Chicago Area Garage
The constant struggle for adequate storage space can drive a person bananas. There is one type of storage that is forgotten about and often overlooked. Overhead and ceiling storage may not be the most convenient, but it does offer additional space to stow away items that are bulky and not needed on a constant basis. Blue Sky Builders, Inc. is your resource for finding the most efficient and safe way to add overhead storage to your garage .
What Should You Store Overhead?
Deciding what can be kept in overhead storage may be tricky. You do not want to choose items that weigh too much or could slide around easily. Additionally, try to avoid storing things that you frequently use or will need on a regular basis. Some good examples of some items that would be appropriate include:
- Seasonal decorations
- Summer Patio Furniture
- Luggage
- Camping Equipment
- Sports gear
- Coolers
Try to avoid anything that might roll around or fall if jostled. If you store smaller objects, moving alike things together into plastic totes or storage bins can be very beneficial. Keeping similar things together and labeling the bins will make finding what you need easier down the road, as well. Your future self will thank you!
How To Fall In Love With Your Garage
Is your garage in a less-than-desirable state? Perhaps you recently purchased a home and the garage is in need of some repairs. Maybe the garage you have is in good condition but has gotten a little chaotic over the years. Whatever the status of your garage, there is always room to elevate and renovate. Let Blue Sky Builders, Inc. offer you some tips and ideas to fall in love with your garage all over again.
Renovation and Restoration
If you have a garage on your property that has been in disrepair from the beginning, then it may be time to start and begin the restoration process; a great place to begin is from the ground up.
- New Flooring - Giving the floor a good cleaning can go a long way. If it is in bad shape, there are many options available, such as painting, concrete grinding, sealing, or applying an epoxy coating.
- Garage Door - The door may be too small for modern midsized cars if you have a garage door that was built a few decades ago. The front walls can be upgraded and widened to accommodate new doors. This is also a good opportunity to exchange the door for something more aesthetically pleasing or modern. Lastly, do not forget to install a garage door opener if it is missing one!
How Your Chicago Area Garage Could Be a Party Spot
Have you been tasked with hosting a party, but are unsure if you have the room? Did you make plans for an outdoor party, but the weather has forced you to change locations at the last minute? Do you have messy children, or even messier parents, coming over to watch the big game? Perhaps converting your garage to host the party is the option for you! Turning your garage into the perfect party pad is easier than you may think!
Making a Clean Space
The first step in getting your garage ready for guests is of course cleaning and organizing. Putting things away and clearing the room is important to ensure you have proper floor space for everyone. Consider moving any dangerous tools or equipment to a spot where guests cannot reach them. Some key things to keep in mind before decorating are:
- Sweeping and mopping the floor
- Adding new lighting
- Making sure door to house and the garage door are in proper working condition
- Installing an air conditioner or heater depending on the climate
How to Finish Your Chicago Area Garage
As we continue through this new year and as many of us are reinventing ourselves, it is also a good time to reinvent our living spaces –– including our garages. We have given you ideas on transforming your garage into unique spaces for work or projects. But what if you are not looking to use your garage as a personal gym or home office? Blue Sky Builders, Inc. is here to show you how you can transform your garage into a brand-new space without changing its purpose.
What Does a ‘Finished' Garage Mean?
Though garages are often overlooked when it comes to home renovation, it can make a world of difference to finish a garage. What a ‘finished' garage means can be entirely dependent on your preferences. Most of the time the remodels would include:
- New Flooring
- Dry Wall
- Added Lighting
- New Organization
- New Doors
- Heating and Air Conditioning
- Plumbing
Not all of these options are necessary to finish a garage, but all of them are popular options associated with the process.