As summer approaches, so does the hot sun aiming towards your garage. For people who like to work on their cars and projects in their garages, the summer heat can be unbearable. But before you decide to just sweat it out, read about our tips on making your garage cooler.

Tip #1 – Circulate the Air

Forcing the hot air out of your garage and bringing in the cool air is the key. If you have a window, set up a box fan and exhaust the hot air out the window. Another option, though more expensive, is to install an exhaust fan in the ceiling. Since heat rises, an exhaust fan will bring faster results. Even if you don’t have a window, circulating the air with a fan and/or raising your overhead garage a foot up, will make your garage cooler. For climates where the air is just too overwhelming hot, installing an energy efficient air-conditioning window unit can bring some instant relief.

Tip #2 – Use Light Colors for the Garage Exterior and Shingles

You can’t stay cool wearing a dark sweatshirt in the summer. Neither can your garage. Light color paints reflect the heat of the sun and choosing colors such as white, cream or beige for the garage exterior or doors can make a noticeable difference in lowering your interior garage temperature. Lighter colored shingles on your garage roof (more of an option for a detached garage) will also reflect more sunlight and lead to a cooler garage.

Tip #3 – Weatherproofing (Insulation, Caulking, Weather Stripping)

Efficient weatherproofing will not only help your garage in keeping out the summer heat but will help keep your garage warmer in the winter. Become a detective for a day and find out the open sources where the heat is creeping in from and fix with caulking and weather stripping. It may be tedious but will be well worth it. For larger areas, installing insulation around doors and windows, inside the garage doors, walls and ceiling can make a huge difference in maintaining a more comfortable temperature in your garage.

Tip #4 – Using New Materials When It’s Time to Replace

No one likes to hear that the garage needs to replaced or fixed. But when it’s time, use the opportunity to replace doors and roofing with more energy efficient materials. Insulated garage doors are now available in a large variety of different styles. “Cool roof” materials, such as reflective paints, shingles, and sheet covering can reduce your roof’s temperature to 50-60 degrees F, compared to a normal dark-colored roof which can reach temperatures of 150 degrees F in the summer sun. For more information about cool roofs, visit energy.gov.

We hope you’ve enjoyed these summer heat reducing tips for your garage. And as always, Blue Sky Builders, Inc., offers free consultations for your garage upon request. Please contact us at 630-852-8485, or fill out our contact form

You may have been kicking the tires on building a new garage, remodeling your garage or doing a full rebuild for a while now. Maybe you want to add value to your home, maybe you want to protect your things from the elements, maybe you are starting to feel like you would have been a contestant in our Ugliest Garage Contest last year.

No matter the reason, you have come to the conclusion that it’s time for a garage.

We understand. We’ve helped thousands of homeowners to complete garage projects in our past 35 years. That’s why today we’d like to help you know what to expect through ours, our competitors, and any other garage builder’s process.

Simply put, we’ve developed a checklist for homeowners in the process of building a garage.

Recognizing a Need

Before you even make calls, develop a list, or start looking at reviews, you need to recognize that your garage (or lack thereof) is a problem that needs to be fixed.

Garage Remodel

The following case studies share five examples of common points of decision that it’s time for a new garage:

• Cosmetic Damage (that can’t be fixed with paint): Project Blog, La Grange Park, Illinois
• Structural Damage: See the Winner of our Ugliest Garage Contest
• Getting Rid of the Carport: Carports don’t protect as much as many homeowners like. Here’s someone who was able to convert their attached carport to a garage.
• In Need of Something Bigger: Families grow, and with that comes additional drivers. Here is an example of an Oak Park resident who decided to upgrade from a one- to two-car garage.
• In Need of Additional Space (Functional, Professional, or Recreational): Running out of space for storage? Maybe you’ve begun telecommuting and want a home office. You could even want to build a bar or lounge. Who knows, but one thing is clear-you need more space. Here are a few inspirations:
  • Father’s Day Guide to Turning a Garage into a Man Cave
  • Gallery of Garage Havens: Features impressive car storage spots, wine cellars, garage bars, and more.
  • Turn Your Garage to a Home Office or Library

New Garage

There are also a variety of reasons homeowners build where there was once nothing. Here are a few:

• No more ‘dibs’
• Not having to defrost a car in the morning
• The fact that every year $1.26 Billion in personal items and accessories is stolen
• You’re living a life buried in boxes and need storage
• You’re sick of burning yourself on hot leather seats during the summer

Who’s Building Garages?

Now that you know that you need to update or build a new garage, it’s time to start building a list of potential builders. Start with a long list based on galleries, locations, and recommendations.

For more information on creating a list, check out our recent list of things you should look for when selecting a Chicagoland garage builder.

Where to Look

A simple look on your favorite search engine is the easiest way to start. Type in “[city] garage builder,” and you’ll be on your way.

How to Refine

If you noticed a few thousand results, it’s understandable. There are hundreds of decent garage builders in the Chicagoland area. But who wants ‘decent’? To find a spectacular garage builder, you need to entrust other sources. Where do you look?

• Yelp
• Better Business Bureau
• Angie’s List
• Home Advisor
• Neighbors, Friends, Relatives

Defining the Short List

From many suitors comes few garage builders qualified to serve you. Now is the time to request a free quote and consultation regarding your needs.

In next week’s blog, we will share with you what you can expect in your consultation with a garage builder, including questions you need to ask and how to make a decision, as well as the permit process, construction, and more. Stay tuned.

Whether you’re looking to build from the ground up or looking to tear down and rebuild, the possibilities are endless when it comes to your new garage. Whether you’re looking for gable, gambrel, custom, or hip; it’s important to consider the benefits and key uses for each.

• Are you going to be using your garage for more than parking cars?
• Will you use your garage for storage? What will You Store?
• How many cars (if any) will go in the garage?
• What does the roof line on your house look like?
• One door or two doors? Single or double?
• Where will you be putting entry doors? Front? Side? Back?

These are just a few questions to ask yourself before and during your consultation with a garage building professional. Once you understand these aspects, it’s time to decide on the style: Gable, Gambrel, Hip, or Custom-which includes elements of one of the above in addition to window dormers, decks, or more.

Gable Garage

Gable garages are a common type of detached garage, with two sloping sides that come together at a point. The reason that many homeowners would consider a gable garage is that the roof pitch can be slanted at different angles depending on your need.

When deciding on gable garages, homeowners generally have two main options: Front-Gable and Side-Gable

In garages, a front-gable is where the door sits below the gable:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is compared to a side-gable or reverse gable, in which the flat portion of the roof sits above the garage door:

Advantages of Gable/Reverse Gable Garages

• Sturdy design
• Allows for vaulted ceilings, increasing storage space
• The sleep slopes allow rain and snow to run off much more easily than other types of roofs
• The pitch can be varied to match the look of your home
• Windows can be added to the gable ends
• Shakes and frieze boards can be installed to dress up the front

Gable Garage Projects

For more information on gable garages in the Chicagoland Area, see some of the projects we’ve completed in the past few years:

• Gable Garage Project Blog: Westmont, Illinois
• Gable Garage Project Blog: La Grange, Illinois

Hip Garages

If you want a gable garage, but without the gables, the hip roof style is right for you. These roofs are very popular on stand-alone garages because they diminish the roof line so it competes less with the house roof, or other roofs nearby.

Economical and aerodynamic in areas with high winds, these garages are good for everything except for overhead storage.

A hip garage may seem like the most basic and simple option, but with the right touches, it can be an extremely attractive addition to your home and property while still being affordable and functional.

As mentioned above, these work well for detached garages so that they do not overtake the view of the house and blend well with the community.

Advantages of hip garages include:

• Strong and cost-effective
• Similar to a gable garage, 4 slopes allow rain and snow to run off
• Easy to incorporate into an existing structure

Hip Garage Projects

See some of the happy homeowners for whom we’ve built garages with hip-style roofs, including testimonials and locations:

• Hip Garage Project Blog: Chicago, Illinois
• Hip Garage Project Blog: La Grange Park, Illinois
• Hip Garage Project Blog: Glen Ellyn, Illinois

Gambrel Garage

Do you like barns? Do you like storage? Do you want to minimize the potential for wind damage? Then choosing a gambrel-style roof for your new garage may be the right option.

Garages with a gambrel roof, also known as “barn style”, have a straight ridge in the center like gable garages. However, they differ in that there are two roof sections on each side of a gambrel garage, as opposed to one. The lower roof section has a steep pitch while the higher roof section has a much shallower pitch.

As with gable garages, you also can have the roof slope facing the front or side of the garage entrance.

Advantages of Gambrel-Style Garages

• Because of the shape of the roof, gambrel garages offer the most space
• Could, if needed, allow for a second floor (Maybe a home office or man cave?)
• Handles wind loads well
• Again, steep sides allow rain and snow to run off easily

But Wait, There’s More! Custom Roof Styles

Maybe you like one of the above, but want a bit of flair. Maybe you need to perfectly match your house. Possibly, you want a deck or patio. When you want or need a custom garage, the possibilities are limitless.

Below are some examples of custom garage roof styles that we’ve matched with homes or homeowner needs.

See the rest of our best work at our garage gallery, and contact us for more information and to schedule an appointment!

At Blue Sky Builders, Inc., we’ve built thousands of quality custom garages throughout the Chicago northern, western and southern suburbs since 1979. There are some suburbs where we can even look down the block and see multiple garages that we’ve built throughout the years. This always gives us a sense of pride and accomplishment. We build many styles of garages including hip garages, gable garages and custom garages.

2015 proves to be an exciting and productive year for us. With the garage building season underway, you’ll be seeing us continue to expand our garage building presence into the Chicago southern suburbs with us currently building a custom garage in Palos Heights, IL among others in the area.

Many times, our new business is generated by people seeing us building a garage while they walk down the street or drive by while we are in their neighborhood. We are always ready to give a friendly introduction and even a few free garage tips! To kick off our Chicago southern suburb expansion, we will have a special Chicago southern suburb garage building expert available to answer questions and offer free on-site estimates for customers in the towns (and surrounding area) of:

• Alsip, Illinois,
• Blue Island, Illinois
• Bridgeview, Illinois
• Burbank, Illinois
• Chicago Ridge, Illinois
• Evergreen Park, Illinois
• Hickory Hills, Illinois
• Justice, Illinois
• Midlothian, Illinois
• Oak Forest, Illinois
• Oak Lawn, Illinois
• Orland Park, Illinois
• Palos Heights, Illinois
• Palos Hills, Illinois
• Palos Park, Illinois
• Summit, Illinois
• Tinley Park, Illinois
• Worth, Illinois
• Crestwood, Illinois

Please give us a call at 630-852-8485 if you’d like to know where we’ll be that day in any of these southern suburbs and we will arrange a meeting with you. We can also be reached through our contact form or you can read our list of frequently asked questions (faq) to learn more of what we do. Our goal is to make you feel well-informed and building your garage an enjoyable experience.

Need some ideas of the perfect garage to compliment your house? Visit our popular custom garage photo gallery or read our project blogs and to learn more about Blue Sky Builders, Inc.

Looks like Spring, feels like spring. Time to get back outside. Biking, grilling, kayaking, and more. However, if you’re like many homeowners, you’ve stored most, if not all of your outdoor items in your garage. So, today, we’d like to show you how to prepare some of the items that you’ve been storing for use throughout the warm months.

Prepare your Bike for Riding

Bikes, especially when you leave the tires on cold concrete all winter, may not be ready for immediate riding. That’s why we would like to share with you a simple seven step process to get your bike ready for spring, courtesy of SparkPeople.com.

1. Clean Your Bike (frame, chain, chain rings, cassette, derailleurs, pedals, brakes, and seat) with a cleaner, using as little water as possible.
2. Inspect Your Brake System by checking for evenness, tightness, cable wear, and pad wear
3. Clean Wheels with rubbing alcohol and dry cloth, check wheels for evenness and rim damage.
4. Check Drivetrain by lifting the back, spinning the wheels, and shifting through all the gears
5. Check your tires for splits, cracks or tears, especially along the side
6. Inspect the cable and surrounding rubber housing for cracks, crimps, rust, dirt and looseness.
7. Apply lubricant evenly to the chain while slowly rotating the pedals in a counterclockwise direction. Also, remember to lube moving parts on the derailleur, the pivot point on the brake levers and any exposed cable wire. Remember to wipe off any excess oil with a clean, dry rag, especially on the chain.

For full descriptions on how to do all of these, check out the SparkPeople article.

Pre-Spring Care and Repair for Your Kayak

If you’re ready to get out on the water this spring, here’s how to get your kayak or canoe ready for the water, courtesy of Mad River Canoe.

Check the handles, seat(s),bulkhead(s), rudder, skeg and any other kind of hardware you find. Be thorough, tightening anything loose and paying extra attention to moving parts. Don’t leave it in need if you find something that should be replaced.

Once you’ve done this, there’s no better way to show your care than by putting in the time to make it look all new and shiny, just like the day you first met.

Get Your Gas Grill Ready for Spring

If you haven’t been barbequing throughout the winter like some of us, your grill may need some TLC before you take it out. Here are five pre-use cleaning tips for a gas grill.

1. Clean the gunk that has accumulated on the inside or outside of the grill using a cleaning utensil and soapy water.
2. Consider repainting the grill to prevent rust.
3. Stock Fuel so you don’t run out on your first cook.
4. Clean out the grease traps.
5. Buy and/or use your grill cover.

Thanks for reading, and if you’re looking to improve the condition of your garage, rather than the things in your garage, contact Blue Sky Builders, Inc..