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.

A new innovation in remote entry security involves what is called “rolling code” technology. With this method, a new, non-sequential code is generated each time that a remote garage door opener is activated. This mitigates the concern that your personal code could be captured and utilized by someone else to gain access to your garage without your permission.

Commonly known as a fingerprint scanner and used to unlock mobile phones, biometric keyless entry controls are now being used on many garage door openers. This type of safety measure is a simple way to add extra security to your garage entry system, and it may be programmed to recognize up to 10 different fingerprints for family members and neighborhood friends.

It is important to note that maintaining your keypad is essential for security. Changing your code often and having extra batteries on hand are a few ways to make sure your garage is safe and secure. Also, wiping your pad periodically will reduce uneven wear or marks on numbers that could possibly reveal your code to would-be thieves. Some openers also permit you to program temporary codes that expire after a designated period of time, which is ideal for houseguests who may be coming and going.

Contact a DuPage County Garage Professional

Modern technology offers many security options for your home and your garage. A wireless keypad can be a convenient way to enter your garage while also adding a level of security against theft. At Blue Sky Builders, Inc., our skilled team of professionals has over 40 years of experience building and renovating custom garage spaces. During these challenging times, we are committed to helping you keep your garage safe and secure. To learn more, call our Chicago area custom garage experts today at 630-852-8485 to request a free estimate.

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:

• Set up a tunnel out of tubing or tent material so visitors can enter the garage in an unconventional way.
• Hang sheets throughout the inside of the garage with eyes cut out to make them look like ghosts or use cardboard boxes with scary creatures drawn on them to separate the sections of a maze.
• Suspend fake spiders, monster masks, or scarecrows from the rafters, hanging them at different lengths to intimidate partygoers.
• Place toys such as rubber reptiles, rats, or eyeballs in glass jars filled with water that has red food coloring to make it look like blood along the maze.
• Play scary music from your favorite horror movie soundtracks to enhance the overall theme and ambiance.
• Decorate the inside of the garage with spider webbing, pumpkins, tombstones, and other moving or noisy props.
• Change your garage’s exterior lights to orange bulbs and adorn it with Halloween-themed signs or streamers.

When (or if) guests make it out of the haunted maze, you can have a station for treats they can pick up if they would like. Make it an annual event by storing your haunted maze decorations and accessories in shelving that can be installed to hang down from the garage ceiling.

Contact a Chicago Area Garage Builder Today

If you would like to do something different this Halloween, try creating a spooky sanctuary retreat with your garage. Blue Sky Builders, Inc. has more than 40 years of experience building and renovating custom garage spaces. We can help you with installing accessories and storage solutions that meet your short- and long-term needs. To schedule a free estimate, call our Downers Grove garage professionals today at 630-852-8485.

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:

• Interior latex paint is ideal for garage walls and ceilings. Latex paint is water-based, so it can be thinned with water instead of paint thinner. In addition, it dries quickly and has a minimal odor. A satin or semi-gloss finish looks nice and can be wiped clean if it gets scuffed or dirty. This type of paint works for high-traffic areas exposed to grease and moisture, which can often be found in a garage.
• Oil-based paint can be used indoors or outdoors, but it takes longer to dry and has a strong odor. It also requires paint thinner to thin. Oil-based paint is very durable and resistant to low temperatures when compared to latex. It applies smoothly and provides adequate coverage.
• Epoxy coating is typically used to seal garage floors. Paint may also be used, but it must be designed specifically to go over cement. Epoxy material is tough against stains, cracks, chemicals, and surface abrasions.

Once you have determined the best type of paint for your garage, you will want to pick a color for your garage space. For the interior, many people like white because it looks clean and bright. However, white is typically not recommended, because dirt and stains will show up more clearly. On the other hand, dark colors may make your garage look small and cramped. Painting garage walls in neutral, light colors can help hide dirt while still providing a natural feel, regardless of your garage’s purpose. Here are a few colors that you may want to consider for inside your garage, as long as the shades are not too dark or vibrant:

• Grey
• Beige
• Taupe
• Blue
• Green

Contact a Chicago Area Garage Specialist

Your garage is an essential part of your home, and so it is important to take care of it. Whether you are repainting, remodeling, or building an entirely new garage, Blue Sky Builders, Inc. can help you determine what products and methods to use. With over 40 years of experience building and renovating custom garages, we can help you find the best ways to enhance your garage. Call our Downers Grove garage remodeling experts today at 630-852-8485 to arrange a free estimate.

A garage often acts as a multi-purpose structure for many homeowners. Not only is it a safe place to house your vehicles, but you can use it to store gardening tools, bicycles, motorcycles, holiday decorations, or your children’s outdoor toys. Your garage also impacts your curb appeal when someone comes knocking, as it may be the first section of your home that visitors or passersby see from the street. An easy way to enhance the look of your garage overall is to add windows. Although many garages may already have a window or two on the side or back of the building, additional windows can be added in these areas or above the garage door. Windows are visually appealing, and they can provide more natural light if you use your garage for other purposes, such as a workshop or for game night with friends or neighbors. Any kind of window also makes the space feel bigger and brighter.

Choosing a Window Type

One of the main reasons that you might consider adding garage windows is their aesthetic appeal. If you are renovating your home, windows can give the garage a fresh new look. A recent and popular trend is decorative windows that match the windows on your home. For example, grids may divide the windows into smaller panes.

Two of the most commonly used types of garage windows are casement and awning windows. It is important to note that they do not fit all garage types, and you should understand their differences to determine the one that is right for your garage. Garage windows are customizable, and they come in a variety of shapes and styles. The windows can be placed in a number of patterns, allowing you to create a unique look for your garage.

A casement window is composed of two sashes opening outward on a vertical axis. This type of window is typically used for taller structures. Awning windows are similar to casement windows in that they are hinged on one side and open outward, but awnings open upward rather than sideways. They also fit in tight spaces due to their small width.

The Chicagoland area experiences all four seasons of weather, so windows should use the right kind of glass to withstand the elements. Windows can be made of aluminum and tempered glass, but garage window designs may also include frosted, mirrored, laminate, acrylic, or even tinted glass. Each option features its own style, durability, and level of privacy. Insulated glass helps conserve the most amount of energy, making it an ideal solution for Illinois garage windows, especially during cold winters.

Contact a Chicago Area Garage Window Professional

Blue Sky Builders, Inc. can help you add quality windows to your garage. We offer a wide variety of window styles, including sliders, fixed glass, awning, casement, single-hung, and double-hung windows. You can choose the size, grid pattern, and color to suit your tastes. All of our windows are backed by a lifetime limited warranty. The skilled garage professionals at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. have more than 40 years of experience customizing all types of garage spaces. To learn more and schedule a free estimate, call our Downers Grove garage builders today at 630-852-8485.To see how windows can improve the value of your garage, please visit our gallery.

With the seasons changing and the weather proving to be persistent in its unpredictable shifting over the last several months, the likelihood of unwelcome visitors in your garage increases. It is important to know the types of creatures to be on the lookout for. This will not just prevent them from invading your garage now, but it will also help you determine whether a custom garage or garage remodeling project can help ensure that those uninvited guests do not make themselves at home in your garage.

Squirrels, and Termites, and Mice, Oh My!

A wide variety of pests, rodents, and other unsavory creatures can take up residence in your garage without you even realizing it, especially when the weather changes drastically. It is bad enough that many of them could do damage to your garage and what is in your garage, including your car. For example, rats and mice have been known to congregate under the hood of a parked car near the motor to help them stay warm in the winter. Some animals may even get more adventurous and brazen, attempting to break the barriers between your garage and home. Before long, you will have flies buzzing around your head in your kitchen or mice hiding under floorboards in your living room.

Here are 10 “garage invaders” to keep away from your garage, your home, and your family:

1. Termites and Ants-Both of these insects potentially present huge issues for the foundation and other structural elements of your garage, so if you notice them, take action immediately.
2. Mice and Rats-While many suburban homes face seemingly innocuous field mice more often than rats, be aware that both can carry serious diseases. Keep an eye out for their tiny pellet-like droppings as a telltale sign they have invaded your garage, as they tend to be sneaky and remain out of sight most of the time.
3. Opossums-While these odd animals are not as likely to show up inside your garage, be aware that they like to climb, and they could hide out in an attic or second level of your garage.
4. Skunks-Unless you do not use your garage much at all, skunks are more likely to get defensive enough to spray and leave rather than dwelling, “gifting” you with a lingering and unmistakable stench but no permanent residency.
5. Flies, Including Fruit Flies-If you keep your garbage in the garage, including your pets’ waste and any spoiled food, flies are likely to enter your space. Your best bet is to keep all garage doors closed when not in use, including the entrance to the home, as well as keeping all refuse properly disposed of and sealed tightly.
6. Mosquitos-Make sure still water is at a minimum to prevent these disease-infested pests from taking over.
7. Crickets-These insects would be relatively harmless to your garage were it not for their obnoxious chirping. Fortunately, they do not exactly come in “packs” to infest your garage, but even one chirping insect can be very irritating.
8. Raccoons-If you do not keep your garbage cans tightly closed, or if your garbage is overflowing, these animals might get brave enough to follow the cans back into your garage, finding an unending supply of new garbage to forage through every night.
9. Wasps, Bees, and Hornets-In most cases, these insects’ nests or hives tend to develop on the exterior of your house, but that will not prevent them from making use of your garage too.
10. Squirrels-Squirrels are curious. They scurry about everywhere in search of something to nibble on. Do not make it easy for them to satisfy their curiosity.

Contact a Chicago-Area Custom Garage Builder

If you are thinking of remodeling your garage or having a custom garage built, be sure to hire a Downers Grove garage specialist who knows exactly what materials to use and what construction methods to employ in making sure your garage is safe from all pests, rodents, and other creatures. Call Blue Sky Builders, Inc. at 630-852-8485 for more information.