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Recent Blog Posts
How Can I Deal With Snow and Ice in and Around My Garage?
In the Chicago area, winter weather can cause a great deal of difficulty for homeowners, drivers, and even people who just want to walk outside safely. When snow piles up on your roof, vehicles, driveway, and the walking surfaces around your home, clearing it away so you can walk and drive safely can be a difficult task. Ice can be even worse, creating slipping hazards that may not be easy to see and potentially damaging your garage and your home. However, if you are prepared to deal with the effects of cold weather, you can prevent damage and clear away hazards quickly and efficiently.
Keep Snow Removal Equipment on Hand
You probably have tools such as snow shovels or a snowblower that you use to clear snow from your driveway and walkways, but they are not always easily accessible. By storing these items near the entrance of your garage, you can be sure that you will be ready to clear away snow when you first open your garage in the morning or when you arrive at home in the evening. You can also help prevent the accumulation of ice by sprinkling rock salt or ice melt on the surfaces before a snowstorm or when temperatures are about to drop.
3 Things to Keep in Mind Before Renovating Your Garage
As a homeowner, you might be considering a garage renovation project that will allow you to increase your overall space, customize a specific area, or upgrade a part of the structure. However, before embarking on this type of project, you will want to be sure to understand how much work will be needed. Depending on the extent of the renovations, the overall process could be longer and more in-depth than what you originally anticipated. While it is always advised to get the opinion of a qualified contractor before undertaking a construction project, you can begin preparing for a renovation by considering the following:
How Do You Want to Use Your Garage?
First and foremost, it is important to have a clear understanding of what you want your garage to be. Your options for a garage renovation are limitless, and they could range from creating a personal gym to adding a new living area to your home. However, the choices you make may have unforeseen consequences. For instance, if you plan to convert your garage into a home office, this can cause difficulties with parking your car or storing your outdoor items. Understanding how your planned use of your garage will affect other parts of your home can help you decide the extent of your renovations and determine whether you need to make adjustments to other parts of your home.
How Can a Garage Construction Project Benefit My Home?
The everyday garage is often overlooked and underutilized, and it is typically viewed as a cold, uninhabited storage location for vehicles and appliances. Depending on your needs and preferences, a garage renovation project could provide significant benefits for your home. There are many options available that can help fulfill your specific needs, ranging from a size increase to an interior makeover. In the current housing market, a custom garage may be the perfect option if you are looking to make a change and increase the value of your home. A new garage can offer many positive changes, including:
Increased Space
By expanding the size of your garage, you will have a variety of different options for how you can use the additional space. For example, your garage could be used as a home office, personal gym, or party area. In addition, your garage could be transformed into a living space for a family member or guest. If the area is going to be frequently used by people throughout the year, it may be wise to add insulation and weather stripping to ensure that you can maintain a comfortable temperature.
Is My Garage’s Weather Stripping in Need of Replacement?
In order to keep your garage comfortable and protected year-round, the use of weather stripping is imperative. By reducing the likelihood of flooding, keeping out pests or insects, and maintaining your preferred temperature, a garage door seal does more than you might realize. Although it is typically not an area of concern for many garage owners, the status of your weather stripping should be routinely checked. Upon inspection, the sight of rips, holes, warped material, or discolored sections could mean a replacement is needed. Before any action is taken, a garage renovation expert should be consulted.
Different Ways to Test Your Door Seal
You should understand what to look for when determining the status of your garage's weather stripping, as an incorrect conclusion could result in an unneeded repair or replacement. Alongside a visual inspection for any wear-and-tear, you can use several different methods to see if the stripping is in working order. For example, an airtight seal can be tested by:
3 Signs That Your Garage Siding May Need to be Replaced
For many garage owners, the installation of new siding is not a renovation that is at the top of their list of priorities. However, inclement weather conditions and longevity can leave a garage's siding in desperate need of replacement. Considering the amount of damage that cracks, holes, and warped siding can cause to the structure of a garage, property owners should routinely conduct inspections. There are several indicators that can help determine whether new siding is needed:
Holes and Water Damage
As previously mentioned, if it is discovered that your garage siding is not in good condition, it is possible that additional damage may occur. Tiny holes in your siding are typically caused by animals or insects. In addition, breaks in your siding can also provide an entryway for water, snow, and mud. Bubbles may start to appear just under the surface of your siding if moisture is trapped. Water damage can lead to mold, fungus, or mildew, and it is an immediate sign that siding needs to be replaced.
3 Easy Steps to Turn Your Garage into a Personal Gym
Physical fitness can be an important aspect of our everyday lifestyles. Depending on your schedule, your circumstances, and other factors outside of your control, belonging to a gym or exercising outdoors may not always be possible. If you are looking to incorporate a workout into your day but wish to do so in the privacy of your own home, renovating your garage to turn it into a space for exercise may be your answer. To maintain your garage's curb appeal while maximizing your workout, several steps can be taken to create your perfect garage gym.
Understand Your Space
Before a renovation project begins, it is important to consider every factor. Your garage may provide valuable space to park vehicles and store miscellaneous items. Do you want to convert your entire garage into a gym, only use a portion of the space, or add additional room for gym equipment? Clearing out your garage and understanding how much space you have can help with the decision-making process. In addition, having an idea of what workout equipment you want and the amount of space it will take up can help you ensure that your garage gym will meet your needs.
What Are the Benefits of a Custom Garage?
A garage is a structure utilized by homeowners to park vehicles, store miscellaneous items, or for a variety of other purposes. Whether your garage is a standalone unit or attached to your house, this extra room can significantly increase the value of your property. Garages are functional year-round and provide homeowners with many advantages throughout each season. In addition, many improvements or upgrades can be made to make sure your garage fits your specific needs. If you are looking to build, customize, or renovate your garage, you should speak to our garage experts today.
Room for Your Car
Most commonly, garages are used for storing parked cars. Since a vehicle is a significant investment, it makes sense that you will want to protect your property. Using a garage as a place to park your automobile provides many advantages, such as:
- Adding an extra level of security against theft or vandalism.
- Protecting your vehicle from inclement weather conditions.
How Can a Garage Renovation Help With Winter Tool Storage?
As the weather starts to get colder and colder in the Chicago area, homeowners are beginning to pack up their summertime equipment. Lawn and gardening appliances are swapping places with shovels, salt, and snow blowers. As you are moving these items around, you may notice that your garage is in need of proper tool storage. Before attempting to cram items unsafely into the space you have or allowing frustration to set in, you may want to consult a garage building professional to determine whether you can add some new storage solutions. A garage renovation may allow you safely store tools and appliances and make the best use of your space.
Prepare Your Walls and Ceilings
Since tools can be rather expensive, you will want to take extra precautions to ensure that they will last a long time. To avoid external damage, tool racks and wall brackets can be installed. Bigger items such as shovels, weed whackers, chain saws, and lawnmowers can hang from the rafters or be placed on the walls. In addition, smaller tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, and wrenches can be organized on a mounted tool wall.
How Can I Prepare My Garage for an Illinois Winter?
Elements such as wind, ice, snow, sleet, and hail can make wintertime in the Midwest a frightful thing to experience. Although garages are exposed to the weather year-round, these structures often do not receive the same amount of maintenance and care that a house would get. Due to the frigid temperatures that occur during the winter months, garages may often be covered in snow or ice. In an effort to avoid any injuries or property damage, agarage renovation project may be needed. Discussing your thoughts and concerns with a knowledgeable garage improvement expert can save you a great deal of time, effort, and money in this type of project.
Addressing Snow and Ice Accumulation
During the winter, it is common for snow and ice to build up on garage roofs. Massive amounts of snow can sit atop a garage, leading to leakage, holes, or even cave-ins. Although it may seem that a little snow on a garage roof can provide an extra layer of insulation, allowing snow to pile up is not recommended due to the possible harm that can result. If the snow begins to melt, extensive water damage may result. Furthermore, snow that turns into ice can lead to icicles and additional safety hazards.
What Are the Benefits of a Radiant Heating System in Your Garage?
As wintertime weather begins to approach the Chicagoland area, homeowners may be looking for ways to keep their garages warm. Options such as insulation and portable space heaters are relatively simple solutions that can help at times; however, they might not be the most ideal solution. If you plan on using your garage throughout these cold months, installing a radiant heating system may be your best option. Before rushing into a major garage renovation project, you should consult an experienced garage professional.
What Is a Radiant Heating System?
Unlike a space heater, a radiant heating system will supply heat to wherever the system is installed. For example, if the system is installed under the floor, heat will be transferred throughout the entire ground. The heat will be evenly delivered throughout the area of installation. Simply put, radiant heating involves the installation of a heat source behind or underneath a surface.
Different Types of Radiant Floor Heating Systems
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