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Recent Blog Posts
The Importance of Repairing or Replacing Your Garage Hardware
Maintaining your property and possessions involves replacing parts and equipment when they are damaged or when they wear out. This may include installing anything from new gutters and shingles on a roof to energy-efficient windows to springs and hinges on a garage door. There are many reasons why items may need to be updated, such as exposure to the outside elements or frequent use. For example, your garage door may open and close numerous times every day as you and your family members come and go. Routine maintenance is critical for a garage door to operate efficiently and safely. For professional assistance in fixing or installing new hardware for your garage, Blue Sky Builders, Inc. can help.
Protecting Your Investment
A garage door not only helps seal your home from the outside elements, but it provides security for your vehicles and other valuables. Modern garage doors feature several components that all work together as a system. Some of the main parts include:
What Is the Best Type of Insulation to Use in My Garage?
Winter is coming, and the season can be especially brutal in northern Illinois. While your house is insulated when it is built to keep it warm, not all garages have insulation put in them when they are constructed. It is likely that you and your family have been using your garage more since the COVID-19 pandemic began, so you may want to consider ways to keep it warmer so you can continue utilizing this space even in the cold months.
Keeping the Cold Out
When choosing which materials to use for insulating your garage, you may want to use the same types of insulation that is in the rest of the house. However, depending on whether the garage is finished or not, it may require a different type of insulation. In addition, if you are considering insulating the garage door, it may need a different insulation material than walls or ceilings.
It is important to note that insulation does not necessarily add warmth. In actuality, insulation slows the transfer of heat through an insulated barrier (wall, ceiling, floor). The R-value of insulation is its resistance to conductive heat flow, which is measured or rated in terms of its thermal resistance. The higher the R-value, the more effective the insulation is.
Is a Carriage Door the Right Choice for Your Garage Remodel?
If you have been spending more time at home lately, you may be thinking about how you would like to improve the value of your house. One way of doing so is renovating your garage, which may include building onto it to increase its square footage or simply replacing the windows or door. There are many different styles of garage doors from which homeowners can choose. For example, some may have windows, while others do not. If you are considering carriage-style garage doors, you may want to go with the traditional "swing out" doors or a faux design that looks like carriage doors but opens up and down like today's more modern garage doors.
Boosting Your Curb Appeal
Garage doors play a pivotal role in your home's "curb appeal," which is what people first notice when driving by or pulling up to your house. Carriage garage doors can be aesthetically pleasing compared to a classic style door, and they may also offer some other benefits, depending on how much space you have in your garage and the way you want your door to open. If you prefer the swing style, you must ensure to have sufficient clearance in front of your garage so there is adequate space for the door to swing out without hitting anything.
The Importance of Cleaning Out Your Garage Gutters in the Fall
A garage can sometimes be considered a smaller, modified version of your home. Your garage may provide additional work space for an office, or it may even include a place to sleep for overnight guests. Gutters are an often overlooked but essential part of your house. These items protect the house from the elements, which can be especially harsh in Illinois. They provide a place for rainfall or snow to go during storms. However, even when it is warm and sunny outside, wind can blow leaves, branches, and even garbage into your gutters. In the autumn months, leaves fall from surrounding trees and land in your gutters. That is why it is crucial to check the gutters on your house and garage periodically and remove any debris so they can do their job.
Routine Maintenance to Protect Your Investments
Most commonly attached to the roofline, gutters are important parts of any building structure. They serve to control the flow of water due to rain or melting ice in order to protect your roof, walls, windows, and foundation. Gutters that become clogged with leaves, sticks, or other items can cause water to travel elsewhere, leading to leaks in the roof or water damage to the exterior and the interior of your home or garage. If water seeps into your home or garage, it could cause significant damage to furniture, appliances, and vehicles. Clogged gutters can also make nice homes for rodents and bee or wasp nests, and they can also lead to the growth of mold. If neglected, gutters can turn from a necessity to a nightmare in no time.
What Are the Benefits of a Wireless Garage Door Keypad?
Today's houses feature the latest advancements to make doing things easier, such as TV remotes that you talk to and security cameras you can monitor on your cell phones. Many high-tech devices are also specifically designed for garages, including wireless keypads for entry. These offer a convenient way to get into your garage if you take a walk and do not want to carry your keys or remote opener. Likewise, they allow kids coming home from school to get into the house if your garage is attached. Those who may be concerned about safety need not fear. Although no home security device is guaranteed to be 100-percent failproof, the convenience and safety features that wireless keypads offer are worth the investment.
Modern Technology
Wireless garage door keypads consist of a numeric pad or even a fingerprint scanner mounted on the side of the garage door, often attached to the wood frame around it. The keypad is linked to a receiver on your garage door opener, allowing you to open your door from the outside by punching in a personal identification number (PIN) without the need for a remote or a key.
What Are the Different Ways to Heat My Garage During the Winter?
These days, many people are spending more time at home due to the coronavirus pandemic. With fall upon us and winter right on its heels, cooler temperatures are coming to Illinois. Family time is great, but there comes a point when you might want to escape for a little "me" time. Turning your garage into a retreat might be easier than you think. By adding a heating element to this space, you can use it during the colder months, not just in the summertime. Read on to learn how you can enhance your garage by making it warm and inviting.
Heating Elements
Determining your heating needs can involve knowing how you will use your garage in the winter. From making crafts to hosting poker night or working out, there are many uses for a garage besides just housing cars or tools. Here are a few ways to safely and reliably heat your garage:
- Insulation: Add insulation to the inside of your garage door and the walls and ceilings, if possible. You can also put clear plastic film over windows to seal any cracks where heat may escape.
Converting Your Garage into a Haunted House for Halloween
The fall season is upon us, which means changing tree colors, pumpkin-flavored everything, and all the festivities that come with Halloween. Trick-or-treating may look a little different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with local communities issuing certain restrictions. Some cities and towns are leaving it up to residents to decide if they want to participate in this tradition, but regardless, safety precautions, including wearing face coverings, are recommended to protect little ghouls and goblins as well as adults handing out candy. Some families may opt to stay at home and have their own Halloween gathering, or they may invite a few neighbors over for a socially-distanced get-together. If you want to take your party up a notch, consider turning your garage into a haunted house with the following recommendations. You will have a blast and you might just be the talk of the town!
Put Your Creative Thinking Cap On
Before embarking on this endeavor, clean out your garage space or put items away using built-in shelving or plastic bins that can keep your possessions organized. Hooks or cabinets can be good for storing large or bulky items, such as bicycles, scooters, or sports equipment. Have the whole family join in and make it a weekend project. One great idea is to make a haunted maze by utilizing the space in your driveway and garage interior while parking your vehicles on the street temporarily. Creating a spooktacular scene does not need to break the bank. Get crafty with items you have laying around the house or garage:
Top Tips for Organizing Your Garage to Maximize Space
You may have been putting off cleaning out your garage , but there is no time like the present to get started on this project. In the Chicagoland area, fall provides the perfect climate to take on this task while the weather is still nice before the brutal winter comes. Although organization may not be at the top of your to-do list, it is essential in order to get the most out of your garage space. There are many products on the market for organizing all the items you want to keep in your garage, including tools, toys, holiday decorations, and more. To maximize what your garage has to offer, everything should have a place so items are easier to find, and they are not taking up unnecessary space. So set aside a weekend for you and the family to get this done; you will not regret it!
Steps for Creating a Clean Garage Space
It is important to carefully consider the best way to organize your garage before you tackle a project such as this. It takes time to do it properly, so do not rush or think you can get it done in one afternoon. Below are a few ways that you can complete the process of cleaning out your garage to make sure you are getting the most use out of it:
What Type of Paint Is Best for My Garage Remodel?
Many people use their garages for more than just housing their vehicles. A garage space can serve multiple purposes. For instance, it can be a work area for building or repairing cars or household appliances. A garage can also be converted into a recreational room for teenagers to hang out with friends, or even an office space for homeowners who are working remotely. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many Illinois residents have spent more time at home and thus may be thinking about renovating their garages to fit this stay-at-home lifestyle. One item that may be overlooked when starting construction or remodeling is paint. Selecting the appropriate type of paint is critical for both the outside and the inside of your garage.
Picking Out Paint Is More Than Just Choosing a Color
It can be exciting to pick out new paint colors, whether it is for your garage's shingles, shutters, siding, or interior walls. Outdoor paint must stand up against the Chicago area's extreme weather, from hot and humid in the summer to sub-zero temperatures and blizzard conditions in the winter. However, the first step is understanding which kind of paint is appropriate depending on how you are going to use your garage:
What Type of Lighting Should I Use for My Garage?
When building or remodeling your house and garage, there are many issues to address and decisions to make. From the color of the siding and roof shingles to the flooring material and garage door, it is crucial to research your options to make the best choices. One critical item to consider is lighting. During a garage remodel, you may want to think about the type of outside lighting in addition to the lights that will be installed inside the garage. Outdoor lighting can act as a safety measure to deter break-ins, while indoor lighting can be critical if your garage is being used for work-related tasks or vehicle repairs. Regardless of how your garage is going to be used, there are many different sizes, makes, and models of light fixtures that can enhance the look and feel of your garage space.
Exterior Lighting
Outdoor garage lights can add aesthetic appeal to your home, but they also serve a functional purpose. You can install mounted fixtures on both sides of your garage door, or above it. In addition, you may want to ensure that lighting illuminates the surrounding driveway and sidewalk areas.
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