424 Ogden Ave, Downers Grove, IL 60515
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Recent Blog Posts
Common Garage Accidents and How to Prevent Them
At Blue Sky Builders, Inc., we pride ourselves on delivering high quality work and service on every project. Our knowledge of construction and use of quality building materials means that with just a little upkeep, your garage will be fully functional, safe, and efficient for years to come. That said, accidents do happen. The garage is one of the most common sites for household accidents. From slips to burns to crushed fingers, garages can be hot spots for accidents and injuries. It is important that garage owners are aware of the many potential accidents that could occur in their garage, and that preventative measures are taken to ensure safety for everyone. For this week's blog, we are taking a look at a few common garage accidents and the steps you can take to keep you and your family safe.
Accidents within the Garage
It is no surprise that accidents happen often in garages. In addition to vehicle storage, most people use their garages to store items like sharp tools, chemical products, and household clutter. To keep your garage from becoming dangerous, be aware of these common accidents within the garage:
A Look Back at Blue Sky Builder's Best Garage Blogs
Wow, time sure flies when you are having fun! We have been so busy working on garages all over the Chicago area, we barely noticed 2016 is already halfway over. Summer is a great time to get started on your next garage project, and the team of knowledgeable garage specialists at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. is here to help. We have been building quality custom garages in Illinois since 1979 and also offer a wide variety of other garage help like repairs and window and door installation.
We believe in offering other helpful services as well, like financing, free estimates, and help from our specialized team members at every step of your project, to ensure you have the best experience possible. For this week's blog, we are reflecting on a select few of our past posts. Since July is the seventh month of the year, check out our seven most read blogs of all time.
How to Choose the Right Size Garage: What garage size is right for you? We get this question often, and this helpful blog post offers some insight into choosing the best garage size for your property. Of course, our specialists are always available and can help you with choosing the right size of garage to build whenever you are ready.
More Custom Garage Features: Specialty Siding, Aluminum Trim, and Gutters
Are you ready for a new garage? At Blue Sky Builders, Inc., we have years of experience helping Illinois residents build the garage of their dreams. Our team of garage specialists offers garages in a variety of sizes and designs depending on your needs, and we offer a wide variety of custom garage features to help you build the perfect garage for your property. This week we are filling you in on three of our very popular garage features - aluminum trim, specialty siding, and gutters. Custom garage features like these can improve the aesthetic and functionality of your garage.
Specialty Siding
Our customers are constantly looking for ways to improve the look and durability of their garage. In response, we offer a wide variety of siding options, from common choices like lap siding and metal, to specialty choices like vinyl fish scale siding and cedar shakes. Both cedar shake and vinyl fish scale siding can be used as accents in addition to your primary garage siding, or they can be installed as the primary siding of your garage.
Your Garage Versus Insect Invaders
Is your garage filled with unwanted visitors? Creepy crawlies like ants, termites, bees, wasps, and spiders are easily attracted to garages. They have plenty of hiding places, can sometimes be damp, frequently provide access to food, and offer shelter from harsh weather conditions. Aside from being a little creepy, many insects have the potential to damage your garage or your yard, and some could be a safety risk to you and your family. For these reasons, it is important that any unwelcome insect guests in your garage are quickly identified and removed. Your home is probably bug free. Follow these easy steps, and your garage can be too.
What Insects Should I Look For?
All sorts of insects have the ability to get into your garage. Some can be frightening but will not cause any damage. Others, such as ants and termites, can be quite damaging. Ants and termites can both do serious damage to your yard and to any wooden structures on your property. Both types of insects eat organic matter and also build their nests in wood. A termite or ant nest in your garage could mean structural damage. Additionally, many species of ants bite, and some even sting, meaning they could harm you, your family, or your pets. Some types of beetles can also cause problems. Wood-boring beetles can be easily identified by any holes bored into the wood of your garage. Spiders, centipedes, wasps, and bees will likely not do any structural damage, but many can bite or sting, so you will likely want them removed as well.
Custom Garage Features
At Blue Sky Builders, Inc., we believe everyone deserves the garage of their dreams. To help our customers achieve this, we have been building custom garages in the Chicago area for over 30 years, and our team offers a wide variety of custom garage features to fit our clients' specific needs. When planning your next garage rebuild or remodel, one of the first and most important steps to take is to determine the primary use of your space. Once you know the specifics of what you will be using your garage for, our team can help you decide which custom garage features would benefit your space. Today, we will take a look at three popular custom garage features that come in handy for a variety of reasons; staircases within garages, different garage door sizes, and high lift garage doors.
Staircases
Staircases can be a wonderful way to provide access to extra space above your garage. The extra square footage above your garage can be used for a variety of purposes, such as extra storage space, an in-home gym, an office space, a separate bedroom, or an entirely separate living quarters like an apartment. There are different staircase options to choose from depending on how you plan to use the additional space. If the space above your garage is going to be used primarily for storage, a pull down staircase will likely be sufficient. If, however, you plan to use the space as additional living space, you may consider a full staircase that allows easy access from the first floor of your garage to the space above. While a staircase will take up some of the first floor garage space, if you have the room available, a staircase can provide many benefits, including;
Custom Garage Feature: Dormers
Dormers are an excellent upgrade to a new or existing garage. Built on the roof of your garage, dormers sit and allow light to enter the structure. This is helpful for garages that are not set up with electricity, and for garages that have lofts or extra living areas above them. A loft above your garage can be a great way to add additional storage place to your home, or to add extra livable square footage in the form of a guest apartment, office, or playroom. Dormers allow wonderful natural light into the space, helping you save on utility bills, and also provide the space above your garage with a nice view.
Modern homeowners are increasingly choosing to add dormers above their garage, and there are a variety of dormer types you can choose from. As a general rule of thumb, the type of dormers you choose for your garage should match any existing dormers on your home, to keep the aesthetic consistent. Additionally, if you choose to install multiple dormers above your garage, the size of each dormer should be the same. There can be exceptions to these rules, and the custom garage builders at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. can help you with choosing which style and size of dormers to install above your garage. Ready to explore a few common dormer styles?
Find the Perfect Siding for Your Custom Garage
When customizing your brand new or recently remodeled garage, one important decision you will have to make is which siding you would like on the exterior of your garage. Like siding for a home, there are multiple garage siding options to choose from, depending on your specific needs. Shopping for siding is a lot like shopping for clothes. What you buy and wear depends on a number of factors including the weather in your area, your location, and your budget. Some siding options work best in cooler climates, while others are great at withstanding high temperatures. Siding comes in expensive options, and fancier options for those looking to spend more. Unlike clothing, however, siding is not changed very often, and while painting and modifications can change a structure's appearance, most of us count on our siding to last for years without requiring too much maintenance. When searching for the right siding option for your garage, check out some of these popular choices.
Springtime Garage Inspection Checklist
Garages are one of the most heavily used spaces within a home, yet many garages do not receive the TLC they need and deserve. Fortunately, garages are low maintenance, but they are not maintenance free. This spring or early summer, take time to inspect your garage for wintertime damage, and plan to make repairs, remodels, or rebuild if necessary. A damaged garage is a safety risk to your family and could be decreasing your home's value. Here are tips to keep your garage in it's best shape and five important things to check out during your inspection.
Garage Floor
The first thing to check out during a garage inspection is your garage floor. Garage specialists recommend cleaning your floor once a year to prevent slipping, stains, and damage caused by wintertime road salts and car fluids. This can be as simple as hosing down the concrete. If you notice areas that are more prone to damage than others, such as areas under your car damaged by snow melt, consider solutions like floor mats or treating your floor with a sealant. Garage floor sealants help make cleaning easier and prevent discoloration and damage. For a two car garage, a do-it-yourself sealant treatment runs around $800 to $1,200, while a professional application can be upwards of $2,000.
Garage Doors 101
Most of us do not shop for garage doors very often, so when the time comes, making a decision can be difficult. If this is your first time shopping for a garage door, or if it has been a while since you have purchased a new door, welcome to Garage Doors 101. Here are all the factors you need to know about and weigh during your search for a perfect new door.
Door Design
Today's garage doors are available in many different styles, colors, and sizes, so find one that fits your needs. Do you want windows? A wide variety of window options are available, and windows on a garage door compliment most homes. Are you looking for a class, paneled door design? Consider a steel garage door model. Or maybe you are looking for the sophisticated touch of a carriage house door model? If you home has a modern design, an aluminum door with glass can be a nice touch, and one that requires little maintenance.
Color is also an important factor to keep in mind. You want a color that compliments your home, or adds a pop to the front of your property. Examine the rest of your home, and search for a door that matches well. The team at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. can also help you make a smart choice when it comes to door style.
Which Garage Roofing Material Is Right for Your Garage?
The roof is a major part of any garage building or remodeling project. With the wide variety of roofing materials available today, choosing one can be difficult. You need a material that matches the aesthetic of your garage, will protect your garage's contents, and one that will work well in your local climate. Different materials have different costs associated with them. Some are more expensive to install; others are cheaper but may require additional maintenance down the road. To help you choose, here are a few roofing materials often chosen for garages, and some benefits and drawbacks associated with each of them.
Asphalt Shingles
Asphalt shingles are a popular choice for roofing. In fact, these types of shingles are the most commonly used residential roofing materials today in the United States. Asphalt shingles are available in a wide variety of colors, and are lightweight, meaning they will not add excessive strain to your roof. For those in rainier climates, asphalt shingles can be beneficial, as they do not easily absorb water, making them also safe from frost damage. A major disadvantage of asphalt shingles is their ability to absorb heat, meaning they can boost temperatures in your garage all summer long. If you spend a lot of time in your garage, you may find an air conditioner is necessary with asphalt shingles, another cost to keep in mind. Lighter colors of shingles can help keep temperatures down. Asphalt shingles typically have a 15 to 20 year lifespan, but excessive heat can cause damage that may make it necessary to replace sooner.
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