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Recent Blog Posts
When Do I Need to Replace My Electric Garage Door Opener?
Your garage door is probably one of the most frequently-used entrances to your home. When you open and close your garage door multiple times every day, this can put a lot of wear and tear on your electric garage door opener. As with any mechanical device, extensive use can cause your garage door opener to stop functioning properly, or it may break down altogether. If you have been using the same garage door opener for many years, you may be wondering whether it is time to replace or upgrade this essential piece of equipment.
Top Reasons to Get a New Garage Door Opener
You may want to consider replacing your garage door opener if:
- Your garage door does not open properly - If your garage door opens very slowly or sometimes stops halfway or fails to open at all, this is likely a sign that your garage door opener has broken down and needs to be replaced. In some cases, these issues may be related to problems with the garage door spring or safety sensors, and fixing this equipment may resolve the problem.
What Is the Best Type of Siding to Use for My Garage?
As the weather warms up during the spring, you may be looking to make improvements to your home or garage. If the exterior of your garage is looking worn, you may be considering replacing the siding. This type of garage renovation can not only improve the appearance of your home, but it can provide you with other benefits, such as better energy efficiency. By looking at factors such as price, durability, and maintenance requirements, you can choose the type of garage siding that will meet your needs both right now and in the years to come.
Siding Material Options
There are many different materials and types of siding available, and some of the most common options used by homeowners include:
- Vinyl siding - This is one of the most popular choices for homeowners, since it is inexpensive and easy to install and does not require very much maintenance. However, the material may crack due to temperature changes in the winter, and colors can fade due to sunlight. Sections of siding that are damaged can usually be replaced easily and inexpensively.
Should I Repair or Replace My Garage Door?
As you and your family live in your home, you are going to see some wear and tear, especially in areas that are used often. Since your garage door is one part of your home that gets used daily, it may have begun to look a bit worn, or it may not be functioning as well as you would like. As you determine what you need to do to make sure your garage door opens and closes properly and provides an appealing look to your home, you will need to decide whether you can make some repairs to the door and its systems or whether the garage door should be replaced entirely.
Garage Door Repairs
The damage to your garage door may be relatively minor, or you may simply need to deal with cosmetic issues. In some cases, a new coat of paint can spruce up your garage door nicely and help you make sure your home looks nice. Minor damage such as dings or dents may be addressed by replacing a single panel of the garage door. If your garage door is sagging on one side or is not opening properly, you may need to perform maintenance on the garage door opener or repair or replace hardware such as springs, cables, rollers, tracks, or sensors. Addressing these types of issues can add life to your garage door and ensure that it will continue to function properly.
Tips for Turning Your Garage into a Guest House
Now that COVID-19 vaccines are being distributed across the nation, more and more people are eager to travel and visit their loved ones. Whether you have relatives or friends planning to stay at your house, you may wish you had more room for overnight guests. If you are short on bedroom space in your house or basement, another potential option worth considering is your garage . Regardless of your budget for home improvements such as this, with the help of a dedicated garage builder, you can find the right fit for you and your family.
Form Fits Function
Depending on the size and layout of your garage, you may want to utilize all of its space or just a section of it. For example, if it is a three-car garage, but you only have two cars, that additional area may be the perfect size for housing guests who come to visit. If your garage has a second floor or attic-like space, that can be turned into a bedroom, and you can continue to use the bottom level to park your vehicles and store items. Even if you do not plan on hosting many guests, you can enhance your garage space to make it your own private getaway for reading a book, taking naps, sewing, making crafts, or watching TV.
Great Ideas for Adding Beautiful Landscaping Around Your Garage
Now that spring is upon us, you are likely itching to spend some time outdoors as temperatures begin to warm up and the gray skies clear, allowing for some much-needed sunshine and Vitamin D! You may be thinking about what kind of gardening you would like to do. This may include ripping out old or dead shrubs along the front of your house or driveway and planting new greenery. But have you thought about landscaping around your garage ? Even if your garage is set back from the street, and you think no one will notice, adding shrubbery and flowers around it can really "spruce" (pun intended) up its look.
Adding Greenery Can Enhance Your Garage's Look
Certain types of plants are more conducive to the Midwest weather, which can include a lot of rainfall and hot, humid temperatures in the summer. Hostas are a popular plant for outdoor spaces, and they can thrive in the shade of big trees. In addition, there are certain plants that can help ward off pesky bugs in the springtime and summer. For example, mosquitoes do not like marigolds.
Top Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Garage
With warmer weather here, many people are looking forward to getting outside for exercise or house projects that they may have put off during the winter. There is no time like the present to take on a task such as cleaning out your garage space. Although garages are one of the most frequently used spaces in a home, they can also be the most cluttered. According to the National Association of Professional Organizers, 50 percent of homeowners stated that their garage was their home's most unorganized area. Below are some tips for clearing out your garage to create a more functional space for however you want to use it.
Everything in its Place
There is an old saying that "There is a place for everything and everything in its place." For neat freaks, this means that when things are put away in a designated spot, there tends to be less clutter. The first step in getting organized is to take inventory of what you have so you know what and how much you are dealing with. Here are some practical ways to begin cleaning out your garage:
What Type of Flooring Is the Best to Use for My Garage?
When you buy or build a house, there are numerous decisions to make, such as brick versus siding, paint colors, brands of appliances, and flooring. This can also apply to determining how you want your garage to look and function. Although most garages are built on a concrete slab, you do have options when it comes to placing a new floor over it. Whether you are simply storing your vehicles in the garage or utilizing the space as a home office or an entertainment center, it is important to consider the best type of flooring material to protect and maintain your property's value.
Flooring Options
A garage floor has unique demands placed on it, so you want to make sure not to put any flooring material in your garage that could easily break or stain, but you still most likely want one that looks stylish or clean. Here are a few ideas for what to put down (with the help of a professional) as your garage floor:
- Roll-out vinyl flooring: This type of flooring is easy to install, and it hides dirt and stains well. Since it is one big piece, it is not as easy to repair as tile flooring, which allows homeowners to cut out and replace damaged sections. However, it can come in different color choices if you want to match wall color or even your cars.
Adding a Porch or Patio on to Your Garage
Perhaps thoughts of Southern homes with white columns come to mind when you think of porches. A porch can make just about any structure look better, whether it is a house, a garage , or even a shed. When attached as part of the garage, a screened-in porch allows homeowners to enjoy the outdoors in the spring, summer, or fall in Illinois while avoiding bugs. Patios have also become popular this past year, especially with many people entertaining family and neighbors outside due to COVID-19 restrictions. With a portable or built-in firepit, a patio adjacent to your garage can be the perfect place to relax and unwind after a long workday or on the weekends.
Expanding Your Gathering Places
Using your garage as part of your outdoor living space can be ideal, since you may be able to utilize an available wall or part of the roof. This area may also have an unused part of your yard around it. The following are several different ways you can add on to your garage:
- Build a patio onto the front of the garage as an overhang covering the doors.
How to Turn Your Garage into a Gaming Hideaway This Winter
Garages do not need to be just for cars and tools. So many people have learned to enjoy spending more time at home with family and neighbor friends this past year. If you are limited on space in your home, you may want to consider utilizing your garage space for regular activities. After a bit of reorganizing and renovation, why not turn your garage into a game room? It can also double as a quiet homework or reading spot when the games are unplugged. Whether your kids enjoy playing video games, you consider yourself a pool shark, or you like throwing darts, your garage can be an ideal place to house all of your favorite games so you can take a break from it all.
Make it Your Own
Regardless of the types of games you play, in order to create your new game center in the garage, you need to decide how much space you have. In other words, are you using the entire garage space and leaving your vehicles outside or in a carport? Another alternative is using a section of your garage for gaming instead of storing sports equipment or gardening tools. These can always go in separate structures such as sheds, or you can install shelving and hooks to hold them.
Tips for Removing Snow and Ice From Your Garage Roof
Those who grew up in Illinois or the Midwest are accustomed to winter weather and all of the snow and ice it can bring during this time of year. Frigid temperatures can cause a variety of problems, such as burst pipes in homes, office buildings, or warehouses. Whether you are a homeowner or another type of property owner, trying to mitigate the negative impact of Mother Nature can be challenging. Proper drainage can limit the chance of any damage, but it is also important to remove snow and ice from your house or garage roof before it becomes a problem. In some cases, water damage can result in expensive repairs, such as replacing a ceiling or drywall or even a vehicle that was in the garage.
Winter Weather Damage
The biggest reason for keeping your house and garage roof free of as much snow as possible is that it is crucial for preventing ice dams, which can cause leaks inside your home and garage. Precipitation such as rain or snow that does not have a place to drain will build up and freeze once the temperatures drop. When the sun hits it and it gets warmer, that ice turns to water, which has nowhere to go. This often results in water coming through the shingles and siding and inside your garage.
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