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Recent Blog Posts
A Checklist for Spring Cleaning Your Garage
Spring is just around the corner. As the weather starts to warm up in the Chicago area and DuPage County, this is a good opportunity to plan for spring cleaning around your home, and your garage is no exception. As you plan to clean, organize, and maintain your garage in the coming months, the following checklist will allow you to stay on top of the tasks you will need to complete.
Cleaning and Organizing Your Garage
A garage spring cleaning and organization project can be a large undertaking. Here are some steps to follow:
- It is best to start by getting rid of all the items in your garage that you do not need or are unlikely to ever use. You may be able to donate items to charity, or you could throw them out at a local dump or recycling center.
- Sweep the garage out to remove all the dirt, dust, and dead bugs that have accumulated during the winter. Use a shop-vac to clean corners and other areas that are hard to reach.
Customizing Your Garage for Large Vehicles
Getting a new truck or SUV can be a fun and exciting experience, and whether you are planning to use it for work, to transport your family, or to host hayrides or other fun activities, you are likely looking forward to getting the most out of your vehicle. However, one thing you may not have considered is whether your new truck will fit in your garage. Depending on the size of your truck, you may need to make changes to your garage to better accommodate your vehicle.
Measuring and Remodeling
Before shopping for a taller vehicle, it is very important to take measurements of your garage and garage door. Measure the height, length, and width of the garage and the height and width of the door, making sure to consider the space needed for garage door hinges. When comparing the space in your garage to the size of your truck, be sure to account for how the truck's bumpers may add to its length or width.
Lowering your truck may be the best option to help it fit into your garage. It may be a good idea to remove roof racks or lights to add some space, and you may be able to lower the suspension by swapping in smaller tires.
How to Set Up Your Garage for an Electric Car
Electric cars are becoming more and more common, and they provide their owners with a number of benefits, including efficient use of energy and savings on fuel. As electric cars continue to evolve to suit a market that wants to conserve energy, many people are considering purchasing one of these vehicles. However, before making the move away from a gas-powered car, it is important to understand the changes which will need to be made to your garage to accommodate an electric vehicle.
Installing a Home Charging Station
In order to charge your car's battery while you are not driving it, you will need to install a home charging station in your garage. At the very least, an electric car requires a 120-volt circuit, but a typical car can take 20 to 25 hours to fully charge when using a standard household outlet.
To cut down on charging time, it is best to use a 240-volt charger, which can charge a vehicle in half the time. These chargers require the installation of a dedicated 240-volt outlet, which can be done by an electrician.
Valentine’s Day Gifts for the Garage Enthusiast
This Valentine's Day, if you are having trouble coming up with a gift for that special someone, you may want to consider an improvement to your garage. Your garage is an important part of your house, and finding the perfect upgrade or addition that helps you make the best use of your space can be a great idea for an unexpected and innovative gift.
Valentine's Day Ideas for Your Garage
There are many ways to make your favorite garage enthusiast happy this Valentine's Day. If they need more storage in their garage, a wall box is a great solution. The assembly and installation of these types of cabinets is typically very simple, and they can provide secure storage of items in your garage. Depending on the type and brand of the wall box, they can be made out of durable steel that is guaranteed to last, and they can use powerful magnetic catches to ensure that their doors stay closed.
Garage shelves are another great solution that can be used to store bins, tools, and other items in a place where they are not cluttering up the floor of your garage and making it hard to move around within the space. Ideally, shelves should be deep enough to fit the items you need to store, and they can include hooks to hang bikes and other equipment.
Choosing the Right Material for Your New Garage Door
In the Chicago and DuPage County area, we experience cold winters, warm summers, and everything in between. Any homeowner will want to make sure their garage will survive these extremes, as well as the abrupt changes in temperature which can often occur. One key area of consideration is the material used for your garage door. Whether you are planning to replace your garage door or completely renovate or rebuild your garage, it is important to understand the pros and cons of the different types of garage doors that are available.
Steel Garage Doors
The most popular type of garage door is made out of steel, which is affordable and durable. Steel garage doors typically last for a long time and are weather resistant, making this type of garage door the best choice for any climate. Another benefit of a steel garage door is that it is possible to customize the door with different colors of paint, paneling styles, or window designs. Steel garage doors will not warp or crack, and they do not require much maintenance, since this type of material is very strong. Steel garage doors, however, do not provide much insulation.
Storing and Maintaining Snow Removal Equipment in Your Garage
During the winter in the Chicago area and DuPage County, we often experience unexpected changes in the weather. Sudden snowfall can be difficult to deal with, so it is always a good idea to make sure that your snow removal equipment is easily accessible and ready to use. Here are some tips for organizing and maintaining your snow removal equipment in your garage:
Storing and Organizing Shovels
Snow shovels come and many shapes and forms, and you will likely have more than one shovel which you keep in your garage, along with other shovels, rakes, and yard equipment. Installing a rack to store snow shovels and other equipment is a great way to ensure that these items will be easily accessible. During the winter, snow shovels can be stored in the front of the rack, and other items can be kept in the back until they are needed. If you have children, you may want to install hooks to keep the equipment secure.
Keeping a Snowblower Maintained
Planning for a New Garage in 2018
The beginning of a new year is a great time to plan to make changes to your house, your overall property, and your garage. As spring approaches and the weather warms up, this is a great time to consider renovating your garage or building a completely new garage.
When planning for a new or renovated garage, there are many factors to consider, such as style, size, space, materials, and door types. Choosing a garage is not a one-size-fits-all type of situation. Each homeowner should consider their options and determine how to create a garage that will fit their specific needs.
Garage Door Materials
The choice of garage door can come down to what fits the style of your home, but it is important to make sure that your door will provide safety and security while continuing to function correctly throughout its lifetime. Metal and fiberglass garage doors tend to last longer because of their durability. While wooden garage doors are more expensive, they may add property value to your home because of their attractive appearance.
Tips for Removing Snow from Your Driveway
We are well into the winter season in the Chicago and DuPage County areas, and we have already experienced several weeks of bitter cold and snowy, icy weather. Garages can be greatly affected by winter weather, and keeping your driveway and walkways clear of snow is a major concern. Here are some tips for the best ways to remove snow using either a snow shovel or a snowblower:
Using a Snow Shovel
Shoveling snow can be hard work, but by following these tips, you will be able to clear your driveway effectively:
- Shovel as snow falls, clearing your driveway and walkways after every few inches of snowfall. Alternatively, you can wait until snow stops falling and shovel it in layers.
- Only shovel as much snow as you are able to lift comfortably. Trying to lift too much can result in back injuries.
- Avoid walking on snow before shoveling it, since this can cause the snow to pack and become more difficult to shovel.
Looking Back at Garage Tips for 2017
2017 was a great year for garage owners in the Chicago and DuPage County area, and at Blue Sky Builders, Inc., we shared a wide variety of tips on how to maintain and clean your garage, keep pests away, make changes or renovations, and much more. As we begin the new year, this is a good chance to look back at some of our best blogs from the past year and use their insights as you prepare your garage for the upcoming seasons.
How to Clean Your Garage After it Floods: Inspired by the devastation of Hurricane Harvey, this blog looks at the steps you should take to clean out your garage and the items stored within it if it has been damaged in a flood.
Preventing a Turkey Fryer Fire in Your Garage This Thanksgiving: The use of deep fryers to cook Thanksgiving turkeys has become more popular in recent years, but they can present a serious fire hazard. We shared some tips for making sure you stay safe and avoid damaging your garage and your home when cooking your Thanksgiving dinner.
New Year’s Resolutions for Your Garage
We are less than a week away from the new year, but while the cold weather currently has us curled up in our homes to stay warm, now is a good time to begin thinking of ideas to for how to renovate your garage in the spring. Here are a few new year's resolutions for your garage:
Get Organized
Now is a good time to look at your garage space and the objects you store in it and think of good ways to organize your belongings. There are a wide variety of storage options, including metal or plastic shelving, plastic storage bins, or cubbies for toys and equipment. You might also want to consider some innovative ideas such as rails on the ceiling or walls where bins can be stored, rollout shelves or sliding bypass units that maximize the use of space, or special holders for sports equipment and yard tools. Taking the time now to plan how to make the best use of your space can help you create a well-organized garage when the weather warms up.
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