If you are planning to make use of “smart home” technology, one area that you may need to address is your garage. However, if your garage is older, you may not be sure about whether your electric garage door opener can be upgraded to something smarter. You may be surprised at your options when it comes to converting an existing garage door opener into a smart garage door opener by using a smart garage door controller. This is a great way to customize your garage without breaking the bank.

What Are the Advantages of a Smart Garage Door Controller?

You or a qualified expert may be able to integrate technology with your current garage door opener that enables a variety of smart capabilities, essentially transforming your old garage door opener into a smart garage door opener without replacing it entirely. There are many benefits to installing a smart garage door controller. Depending on which controller you choose, some features may include:

• The ability to open and close your garage door remotely from anywhere at any time via a smartphone app or integrations with other electronic devices.
• The capability to monitor whether your garage door is open or closed.
• Integration with smart home ecosystems such as Amazon Alexa, Apple Homekit, and Google Home, enabling voice commands and other virtual assistant benefits.
• Scheduling for automatically opening and closing the garage door at specific times of day.
• Guest access for friends and family without needing to use a remote.
• The replacement of a garage door opener remote with your phone.

How Do I Install a Smart Garage Door Controller?

Depending on the model of smart garage door controller, the installation process can vary in complexity. Models such as the Chamberlain myQ are often less difficult to install because they are wireless, but they may not be compatible with all garage door openers, especially old ones. In general, however, if your smart garage door controller is wired, it will probably work with just about any garage door opener. Installation of these controllers will typically require the following steps:

1. Attaching the controller to the existing opener
2. Inserting a wire to the open and close nodes of the old opener
3. Installing a sensor to determine the garage door’s open/close status, if applicable
4. Connecting the smart garage door controller with the home’s Internet/WiFi
5. Linking the smart garage door controller with a smartphone app
6. Integrating the controller with a smart home ecosystem

Especially when it comes to the electrical elements of these steps and the complications that could result due to compatibility issues or other problems, we encourage you to enlist the help of a professional.

Contact a Downers Grove Garage Renovation Specialist

You are smart. Your garage door opener should be smart, too, right? That is why you should reach out to a DuPage County electric garage door opener expert who can help make your existing opener smarter by integrating it with a smart garage door controller. By upgrading to a smart garage door opener, you will always know the status of your garage, and you will be able to open and close your garage door from anywhere, without the need to install an entirely new garage door or garage door opener. Call Blue Sky Builders, Inc. at 630-852-8485 to learn more. We have more than 41 years in the garage renovation business, and you can trust us to get the job done right.

Summer or winter, rain or shine, one thing you can always count on is the possibility of crime. In many cases, homeowners will alarm their house, upgrade the doors and window locks, and light up the porch and back yard, but they may forget about one of the softest targets on the property: the garage. In fact, 9% of all home burglaries begin in the garage, and detached garages present a very enticing target as they are usually close to an alley, offering a convenient avenue for escape.

While it is true that home break-ins normally happen during broad daylight, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm when adults are most likely to be at work and the kids at school, it is also true that burglars prefer easy targets. An easy target is one that has:

• Low street visibility
• Homes with no sign of security systems or features
• Visible signs of decay or disrepair
• Unsecured doors or windows
• Side or back doors that are easy to breach
• Open basement doors or windows

Here are some ideas to make your garage the sort of target a burglar would want to pass by:

Improve Visibility

One of the best ways of keeping burglars out of your garage is to make sure the whole neighborhood can see what is going on around it. That means you need to ensure that all entry points, including doors and windows, are visible from the street. If you have trees, shrubs, or any other obstructions, clear them away and plant thorn bushes such as roses under the windows to discourage anyone from approaching them.

You should also consider those burglars that prefer the cover of night. For them, you want to install motion sensor floodlights that not only illuminate the front of the garage, but the sides as well. This can be especially useful for detached garages. You should look for lights that are at least 1,000 watts and offer 180-degree coverage from a height suitable to illuminate the area adjacent to and some distance away from the garage.

Be Discreet

Thieves break into garages because they can see valuables inside. The number one way to keep that from happening is to keep your garage door closed. How often have you driven through your neighborhood and have seen open garage doors? How often have you done it yourself while mowing the lawn or doing some other chore on the property? Thieves do the same thing, cruising neighborhoods and looking into open garage doors.

Thieves also go about on foot, so garage windows that are left open or have no blinds or curtains are a certain draw. They love to look in, and if they can see that you have something valuable in the garage, there is a good chance they will come back.

To avoid giving thieves a tempting target, you may wish to install blinds on any garage windows, as well as an automatic garage door closer with a sensor that detects the position of the door and closes it after a given period of time.

Lock it Up

The points of entry into your garage are the garage door itself, as well as any side doors or windows. There is also one point of entry that many people forget: the door leading into the house. To secure these points of entry, be sure to use heavy-duty deadbolts that prevent easy entry. It is also a good idea to prevent easy access to a garage door opener, such as keeping a remote opener clipped to the visor of a car that is parked in the driveway.

Consult a Custom Garage Expert in DuPage County

At Blue Sky Builders, Inc., our garage professionals can help you understand the best ways to secure your garage and prevent theft. We can help you install the necessary locks and security systems or upgrade your garage door to one that provides you with the safety you need. Contact our Downers Grove garage renovation specialists at 630-852-8485 to arrange for a free estimate.

Believe it or not, upgrading your garage can definitely boost the overall value of your property, if you do it right. Prospective buyers like to see a garage that is finished, neat, and organized. It may not be what seals the deal, but it is certainly a point in your favor. On the other hand, a garage that is filthy, cluttered, and unfinished will often prove a real turn off. Here are some garage renovations that could have a positive effect on your home’s market value:

Finishing Your Garage

A finished garage is one with the rafters concealed, good lighting, insulated walls, high-quality windows, and paint and trim that makes the space a clean, bright extension of your home rather than a dingy afterthought. The thing to remember here is that finishing a garage can be expensive, depending on the state of the existing garage, and it is not necessarily something you should consider right before putting your house on the market. A good-looking, finished garage is a selling point, but it is not necessarily a dealmaker, unless your buyer happens to be a car enthusiast who spends a lot of time in the garage.

Fix the Floor

Whether as part of finishing the entire garage or as a stand-alone upgrade, making sure the garage floor is in good shape will certainly help increase the value of the property. There are several ways of making the floor look better. Begin with any repairs that are needed, such as filling cracks and pits and ensuring the surface is smooth and even. Remember, any underlying issues, such as moisture, need to be addressed, or the damage to the floor will occur again.

Once the floor is repaired and in good shape, you can put on the finishing touches, such as:

• Concrete Floor Paint. Even if the garage floor is stained, you can quickly spruce it up with a coat of concrete floor paint. This type of paint can be either latex or oil-based, and it will have a non-slip satin finish that will hold up under hard use. These paints are also resistant to road salt, solvents, and other materials.
• Floor Epoxy. This is applied with a roller and creates a very durable finish that will last for years. It should not be confused with epoxy paint, which is a mixture of latex paint with a bit of epoxy to harden the finish.
• Floor Tiles. You can find tiles in various plastic materials, rubber, and even wood composite. They are strong, long-lasting, interlocking, and tend to come with edging and threshold accessories.
• Floor Mats. Putting down plastic or rubber mats is probably the easiest way to cover a stained or slightly cracked garage floor. Make sure that the mats you choose are heavy duty and easy to clean.

Upgrading the Garage Door

One way to really increase the curb appeal of your home is to replace your garage door. Updating the look of the house and increasing the market value, however, is only one reason. A new garage door could also decrease your heating and cooling costs, increase the overall security of your home, and reduce the amount of time you have to spend maintaining it.

Install Cabinets, Shelves, and Other Organizers

Remember, an organized garage looks good to potential buyers. With that said, the ability to organize, in the form of shelving, cabinets, hooks, and a countertop for projects, looks even better. Prospective buyers will appreciate being able to organize the garage upon moving in and having enough space to work on projects.

Install Climate Control

Working out in the garage need not be a seasonal activity. Even if you insulate your garage, it will get hot in the summer and cold in the winter. Installing air conditioning and heating will give the garage an even, comfortable temperature year-round. If the garage is attached to the house, it is a simple matter of extending the ductwork into the garage. There are also options for freestanding garages, including units that provide both heating and cooling.

Consult the Experts

At Blue Sky Builders, Inc., our DuPage County garage professionals can help you through the process of renovating your garage, from planning through execution, with your unique needs always first and foremost. Contact us at 630-852-8485 for a free estimate.

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.

Invest in a Garage Floor Mat

When you park in your garage, snow or ice on your vehicles can melt, causing damage to the floor or items stored in your garage or leading to slipping hazards. Ice and snow are also often tracked into a garage as people go in and out. To protect your garage floor and make sure people can walk through your garage safely, you can install rubber or fabric floor mats that will absorb melted water and provide traction.

Check Your Gutters

If the gutters on your garage roof are clogged, this can cause water to back up and freeze. This type of “ice dam” can cause additional water to build up, resulting in leaks that can damage the roof and interior of your garage. During cold weather, you should make sure water is flowing through your gutters and downspouts correctly, and you can prevent damage by clearing away any clogs or backups.

Contact a DuPage County Custom Garage Expert

With the proper preparation, you can ensure that cold temperatures and inclement weather do not damage your garage or your home, and you can quickly address any issues that make it difficult for your family to enter and exit your house. If you have questions about how you can improve your garage and make sure you will be able to survive the winter, contact the Downers Grove garage renovation professionals at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. at 630-852-8485.

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.

Improved Organization and Aesthetic Appeal

Even if you are not planning on a major construction project, there are many useful storage solutions that could help you rethink and renovate the entire design and layout of your garage. The addition of cabinets, ceiling and wall storage, or an automobile lift can make an area seem brand new and allow you to utilize the space more effectively. Furthermore, you can put your personal mark on your garage by repainting the walls or decorating the space with artwork and collectibles, increasing your level of satisfaction with this part of your home.

Higher Property Value

While customizing your garage can ensure that it will meet your needs and preferences, it can also add to your home’s overall value. Enhancements to the overall state and condition of your garage, such as replacing the roof or garage door, will increase the overall appeal of the structure, and converting your garage into a more finished area can increase the value of your home. It is recommended to consult a knowledgeable garage building expert before beginning a construction project.

Call Our DuPage County Garage Construction Experts

If you are considering a renovation to your garage, the experienced team at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. can help. Our professional Downers Grove garage remodel specialists can evaluate your property and advise you on what changes can be made to ensure that your garage will meet your needs. For a free estimate, call our office today at 630-852-8485.