A garage is an ideal place for homeowners to participate in activities that may be considered too loud inside a house. Holding band practice, cheering on your favorite team, or having a party can be noisy pursuits that may be enjoyed in a garage. However, while your garage is part of your private property, large amounts of noise could be distracting to your neighbors. To address this issue, soundproofing garage renovations may be the answer.

Soundproofing a Garage Door

A garage door is a large entry and exit way that provides a channel for sound to escape very easily. The addition of insulation to a garage door will decrease the amount of sound that can get out. A well-insulated garage is an investment that would not only keep sound inside the home, but it can also help prevent cold temperatures from creeping in. Whatever the occasion may be, an insulated garage door can help make your garage an ideal location during any time of the year.

Going a step further, the installation of a new garage door could provide you with a renovated look that comes with the desired soundproofing benefits. There are several different types of materials on the market today that can be used for a garage door. One of the best choices for keeping sound from escaping would be a vinyl garage door built upon steel frames and filled with polyurethane insulation. By consulting with a professional contractor, you can ensure that a new garage door will meet your needs while providing an appealing look to your home.

Soundproofing the Walls

Since garage walls are typically thin and uninsulated, installing extra material to absorb noise can help keep sound from spreading. Reinforcing thin walls with drywall and insulation can provide an extra buffer. Furthermore, the creation of a walled-off room within a garage may also keep sound from escaping, and materials such as acoustic blankets can be hung on the walls to provide additional soundproofing.

Floors and Ceilings Are Important Too

Sound travels through many different areas and materials, and it may escape through a garage’s floor or ceiling. The movement of soundwaves through the floor can be halted by finding a material to absorb the sound. Placing a rug on the floor can be a quick fix, but a more permanent solution would be the addition of rubber coating to the ground. If this process is going to be done, it is important to ensure the floor is damage-free before moving forward. Similarly, a ceiling can be soundproofed by installing sound-blocking tiles. Tiles made of foam can soak up noise and prevent it from escaping the garage.

Contact Our DuPage County Garage Renovation Experts

A garage can be the perfect location for almost any activity, but you may need to take steps to ensure that you are not bothering your neighbors with loud noise. If you are considering renovations to your garage, it is important to have a plan and discuss your options with a trained professional. Our experienced Downers Grove custom garage specialists can work with you to ensure your garage meets your family’s needs. For a free estimate, please call Blue Sky Builders, Inc. at 630-852-8485.

Being able to host parties in the comfort of one’s garage is a dream that many individuals have in common. Whether they take place in winter, summer, fall, or spring, events and get-togethers can be a great way to enjoy time with friends and family. Many people also enjoy spending personal time in their own “home away from home” that is only a few steps away. The addition of a bar is a great form of garage renovation, allowing a homeowner to rearrange the layout of the garage and add other necessities. Before the remodeling begins, discussing your options with a professional builder can help you figure out the best course of action.

Coming Up with a Plan

Having a general idea of what you would like your garage bar to look like is a good start, but there may be multiple components that you would like to add or issues that will need to be addressed. A recommended first step before any construction begins would be to clean and clear out your garage in order to visualize the planned layout for your renovations. Depending on the parties you plan to host and the other reasons you would like a garage bar, you can create a layout that meets your needs while making the best use of your space.

Addressing Pre-Existing Issues

After you have removed any clutter and non-essential items for your garage, you can determine whether any repairs need to be made. Before making any new installations, you might need to redo your garage floor or repair defects or hazards. Cracks, holes, or uneven surfaces can not only be unsightly, but they could potentially cause injuries to those using the garage bar.

Maintaining the proper temperature in your garage bar is another important consideration, since you will not want the use of your new renovations to be restricted by the weather. Insulating the ceiling, walls, floors, and garage door will assist with keeping the temperature appropriate, while the addition of a garage screen door can help keep insects out of the garage.

One final thought to consider would be the addition of a new paint job. Establishing an inviting, fun vibe to your new party area could make it more appealing for both you and your guests.

Let the Customization Begin!

Now that the repairs are done, and you have a vision of where you would like things to be, it is time to set everything up. There are a wide variety of appliances, furniture, and decorations that can be added to create the atmosphere you desire, including:

• Fridges and shelves for additional storage space
• Barstools, couches, and tables
• TVs, radios, and other electronics
• Recreational games, such as a pool table or darts
• Decorative pictures, signs, or memorabilia

Personalizing a garage to add a bar provides a great opportunity for expressing your creativity and creating an environment you can enjoy with your friends and family. This type of project can create truly lasting memories.

Contact Our DuPage County Custom Garage Experts

Before beginning a garage customization or renovation project, it is highly recommended that you consult with an expert who can help you understand your options and the methods that will allow you to make the best use of your space. At Blue Sky Builders, Inc., our Downers Grove garage renovation professionals can work with you to create the ideal custom garage solution that will perfectly fit your home and family. For a free estimate, please call our office at 630-852-8485.

Throughout each season of the year, animals both small and large are trying to locate food and shelter to aid in their survival. Unfortunately, garages can serve as a great living option for some of these creatures, or they may enter a family’s living space looking for food. Some of the items stored in your garage, such as vehicles, laundry machines, grills, tool benches, or workout equipment, can provide shelter or a place to hide for animals lurking in the shadows, and food that is not properly stored may also attract wildlife. Dealing with animals that have entered your garage and keeping them away from your home can prove to be quite burdensome.

Common Wildlife to Look Out For

Wild animals that are often found in garages are typically looking for an easily accessible form of shelter that will provide protection from other creatures and help them avoid harsh weather environments. Raccoons, stray cats, mice, rats, squirrels, birds, bats, and insects all common suspects who may attempt to find harbor in a garage. People often do not realize that they have critters making refuge in their garage; common signs to look out for include chew marks, nests, droppings, or vomit. Along with shelter, factors such as the presence of food and moisture can also draw the attention of wild animals.

Ways to Keep Your Garage Animal-Free

Whether you have unwanted visitors in your garage or are trying to avoid that outcome, actions can be taken to ensure that animals do not settle in to your living space. The most important way of keeping animals out is by ensuring your garage is free of any damage which could allow them entry, such as:

• Broken windows
• Holes in walls
• Cracks or holes in the roof
• Damage to weather stripping or caulk

Looking beyond structural flaws, some general best practices to routinely practice include the disposal of clutter, frequently cleaning any messes or spills, setting traps for a possible infestation, and removing any food or garbage. By taking these simple steps, you could save a lot of time and money in the future.

Contact the Downers Grove Garage Experts at Blue Sky Builders, Inc.

If you notice damage to your garage, it is imperative to perform repairs to ensure that you will be able to keep wildlife out of your home. The DuPage County garage professionals at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. can help you understand the best ways to perform the necessary fixes while helping you ensure that your garage continues to meet your family’s needs. Please view our garage gallery to sample some of our finished projects, and give us a call at 630-852-8485 to schedule an initial consultation and receive a free estimate.

The summer of 2019 is coming to a close. The kids are going back to school, most people have finished their summer vacations, and the days are slowly but surely getting shorter. Winter is just around the corner. During the summer, the garage door is the most used entrance to your home, but with the coming of fall, its use may significantly decline. Likewise, the shift in seasons brings new challenges for the maintenance of your garage, and you will want to be sure that you are prepared as the temperatures continue to drop. While it is still lovely outside, you should get started by following these simple steps to prepare your garage and garage door for winter:

1. Lubricate Your Garage Door

With its extended use during the summer, your garage door could be facing some damage from wear and tear. Use the last days of summer to make sure the moving parts of your garage door, such as the tracks, springs, and rollers, are well lubricated. This will help ensure that during the cold winter months, your garage door does not get frozen.

2. Check on Insulation

In the Midwest, cold winters have the potential to do significant damage to your garage, such as bursting your pipes during frigid temperatures. You can prevent pipes from breaking in your garage by keeping your garage warm, and the best way to do that is to make sure it is properly insulated. Apply insulation fibers to areas of your garage where heat will easily escape to prevent this problem from happening.

3. Check Weather Stripping

Weather stripping is essential for maintaining a healthy temperature equilibrium in your garage and your entire house. However, if this stripping is damaged in places, this equilibrium can be threatened. Check your weather stripping for rips, tears, cracks, and areas hardened from heat. Remove the old strips and replace them with new ones. Doing this before the weather gets cold will ensure that you have the proper protections in place during the frigid winter months.

Contact Our Chicago Area Garage Door Repair and Installation Professionals

While these tips will go a long way toward getting your garage ready for winter, it is always best to contact the professionals to address any larger issues. If you are considering any garage renovations or need to make significant repairs, the Downers Grove garage experts at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. can ensure that your garage will be ready for the winter months. Contact our office at 630-852-8485.

Your home requires constant maintenance and upkeep. Throughout the years, various parts of your home and garage will need to be repaired, replaced, or upgraded. If you are particularly handy, you may be able to perform some of these fixes yourself, but there are some home repairs that require an expert. One of the most challenging areas to address is the roof above your garage and home. To ensure that repairs are performed properly, you need a roofing specialist to protect your garage from leaks and other outside elements.

Generally, a roof will need to be repaired between fifteen to twenty years after it was installed. However, things can happen that may force you to perform a repair or replacement sooner than expected. To see if your roof requires repair, there are some signs to look out for:

1. Your Roof Is Leaking

This is a visible sign, but one that can potentially go unnoticed. Leaking occurs when a crack forms between the shingles in your roof. Prolonged leaks or other water-based contaminations can lead to damage in your garage, such as rotten wood. This, in turn, can lead to insects nesting in your home, which can then lead to further infestation and additional bills being paid to exterminators.

2. Your Roof Is Sagging

This can be a further sign of rotten wood in your garage or home. As the wood weakens, it loses its ability to maintain its structural strength. This can lead to parts of the roof sinking in noticeably, and in some instances, the roof may completely collapse.

3. Moss on Your Roof

Moss is another signal that moisture is trapped in your roof. Some may find the appearance of moss appealing, but it is a sign that your roof is no longer protecting your garage from the elements. It can be an indicator that insects are living in your attic or that fungi and bacteria have invaded your garage and/or home. When moss begins to grow, it typically means that a complete replacement of the roof will be required.

Contact Professional Garage Roofers in the Chicago Area

If you have begun to notice leaks, the sagging of your roof, or any other signs that your roof is not well, it is time to contact a team of professional roofers. The Downers Grove garage roofing professionals at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. can meet your roofing repair and replacement needs. For questions about the services we provide, please contact us at 630-852-8485.