Adding a garage heater can greatly increase the comfort and versatility of your garage. From a new home-office to that woodworking studio you always wanted, implementing a garage heating system opens the door to a world of alternative garage possibilities. Now before you get caught daydreaming of your new space, first consider these important safety tips that are sure to save you a lot of time and aggravation.

1. Type of Activity

When choosing a garage heater, the first step is to determine what type of activities will be taking place. Will you be using the garage as a start-up studio for your new band, fixing up the family car, or testing out those painting skills you learned in art class? Identifying the types of activities is very important. For example if you did in fact turn your garage into your very own woodworking shop, then you should be conscious of the potential danger posed by the dust and debris. When debris comes in contact with a heating element it can ignite and cause a fire. Additionally, air from the heaters can blow the dust and debris causing it to circulate the room and inevitably into your lungs. In this case, low intensity radiant tube gas heaters would serve best to avoid these problems.

2. Ventilation

Proper and efficient ventilation is key to safely heating your garage. Heaters that utilize kerosene, propane, or are oil-filled present a specific set of safety challenges. As these units heat the air they release carbon monoxide fumes. Adequate ventilation must be available to expel the fumes. If operating a heater without built-in vents, it is essential to leave a door or window open to ensure proper air circulation. Also, while it may seem cost-effective to use your home’s existing system to heat your garage, it will leave your home and family vulnerable to exposure from the potentially dangerous by-products of your garage activities.

3. Regular Maintenance

Regardless of the type of heater you purchase, regular maintenance is a must. Your unit should be checked regularly for frayed or brittle cords and plugs. The unit’s operation can also be impacted by damage done to the casing or insulation. If you notice signs of these damages, repairs should only be made by certified electricians. For gas heaters, make sure the heater is completely turned off before you begin adding fuel to the unit. And always, if you smell gas turn the unit off immediately and then thoroughly inspected for damages before using it again.

Garages serve as spaces of endless possibilities. Don’t let the cold winter months deter you from taking full advantage of your garage. Investing in a garage heater will open the door to these possibilities and considering these safety guidelines will ensure worry-free use.

Via: houselogic – Evaluate Your House for a Garage Addition

Maybe you’re tired of getting drenched as you dash to your car on stormy days. Or you dream about having more space for storage, a workshop, a home gym, a kids’ play area, or even an office. If you’re thinking about a garage addition, it’s a decent investment. Remodeling magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report found that a home owner who invests the national average of $48,806 in a midrange, two-car garage addition can expect to recoup about 64% of the cost at resale.

Before you can decide whether to go ahead with a garage project, you’ll need to make a few decisions:

Zoning and code restrictions

The first step is to determine whether it’s physically feasible to fit a garage on your lot. At your local planning department, find out how close you can build to the edges of your property. Also ask about any special restrictions that apply to garages; some communities require deeper setbacks on sides with doors, for example.

Local rules might also govern driveway design, wall or roof height, and the total amount or percentage of your lot you can cover with impervious surface (roofs and pavement). Local architects and builders usually keep on top of these requirements, as do lumberyards that sell packages that contain garage plans and materials.

Attached or freestanding?

One big decision is whether to attach the garage to your house or build it as a separate structure. An attached garage usually costs less, and it wins on convenience. You stay dry, save footsteps, and it’s easier to use part of the space as a pantry, mudroom, laundry area, or other extension of your house. If you’re concerned about security, an attached garage lets you tap an opener and drive right in without setting foot outside.

But a detached garage also offers advantages, especially if you add a breezeway connector to shelter against the weather. A separate structure keeps exhaust fumes and the dust and noise of a workshop out of your house.

Size requirements

The humble garage in Palo Alto, Calif., where Bill Hewlett and Dave Packard helped launch the electronics industry, is just 12 feet wide and 18 feet long. It was fine for a 1917 Ford Model T. But cars today are much bigger, so garages are, too. For a single car, figure on at least 14 feet by 20 feet. You can build a two-car garage as small as 20 feet by 24 feet, but you’ll be happier with an extra 6 or 8 feet in length and width.

Access and traffic flow

If you’re adding a garage, you also need a driveway. In older neighborhoods, narrow side-yard driveways are sometimes just 8 feet wide. In newer areas, single-car driveways are at least 10 feet wide, and up to 14 feet when there are obstructions on either side that could scrape an opened car door.

Two-car driveways should be at least 20 feet wide, and up to 24 feet if the sides aren’t clear. If you plan to park in front of the garage, allow at least 20 feet between the sidewalk and the garage door. (Your city might let you reduce this distance if you use an automatic door opener.) Even if you aren’t required to include a turnaround area, working one into your plan may be a good idea, particularly if you have a long driveway or live on a busy street. At minimum, you need an area 10 feet wide by about 12 feet deep to back the car into for a turnaround.

Relationship to the house

A garage should look like an accessory to a house, not dwarf it or turn it into what some people call a “snout house,” where all you see on the front is the garage door. It’s a lot easier to get the scale right if you build a detached garage. But if you have to tack a big garage onto a modest-size house, there are ways to minimize the visual impact. For instance, setting the front farther back from the street than the main entrance to the house makes the garage seem less dominant.

For more pictures of garages we have built, please view our Garage Gallery.

Blue Sky Builders, Inc. has had a great 2013 and we are looking forward to what’s ahead in 2014! For our next project blog we wanted to share a small garage we built a couple of months ago.

The completed garage was built in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. The owner already had an existing attached garage and an old small shed in the rear. However, he wanted something bigger and better – don’t we all – to house a classic car and riding lawnmower.

The project took just short of a month and was completed in August 2013. Below we will share some project details and pictures of the new garage.

New Garage Details

Dimensions: 14’x14′

Door: 12’x7′ CHI raised panel sandstone overhead door

Garage Style: 5/12 pitch hip roof

Shingles Used: Architectural style IKO Cambridge dual brown

Siding Used: Ovation Double 4″ wicker vinyl siding

Garage After Picture

The new garage owner Mike was kind enough to say a few words about his new garage:

“I wanted to drop a note of thanks for a great Job done on my garage project. Every step of the project went very smooth. My Wife Phyllis and I could not be more satisfied.”

Thanks Mike!

If you would like to see more garages we’ve built, please visit our garage gallery and stay tuned for more project blog posts. If you need a new garage, remodel, or repair please contact us today!

Source: 8 Clutter-Busting Garage Storage Solutions

Our garages play a very important role in our everyday living. Of course, they protect our vehicles from the elements. But more often than not, they also become dumping grounds for tools, cleaning products and seasonal gear. These tips can help you make the most out of this often overcrowded and underused space. Built-ins, pegboards, slat walls and other smart storage solutions can help you eliminate clutter and keep your garage tidy.

1. Shoe storage

The garage door is the main entrance in many homes. If shoes aren’t allowed in your house, this is a great way to stop the pileup of shoes outside your main door. A shoe organizer – whether built in or store bought – can instantly clear the floor.

2. A multipurpose bench

An extra-long bench next to a garage door keeps outdoor gear tidy. Hooks, cubbies and a cozy seat make it easy for kids to remember to take off their coats, caps and gloves before coming inside the house.

3. A loft

High ceilings can make up for limited floor space in smaller garages. Consider a loft for storage, as in this garage. This loft almost acts like an attic, with a low-clearance ceiling height and retractable ladder. The railing ventilates the space and cut down on building costs.

4. Overhead storage

If you’re not ready to invest the time and money it takes to build a loft in your garage, overhead storage units are a great compromise. Suspended shelving just above the garage doors provides out-of-the-way storage space without the messy remodel. Use these shelves to store items you rarely need to access – like holiday decorations.

5. A slat wall

Retail stores often use these walls to keep things off the floor but within reach. Different hooks and shelves fit into the horizontal slats, making for a customized storage center with minimal effort. The right hook can hold anything from skis to toys to lawn chairs.

6. Commercial cabinetry

You don’t need to build in storage to stay organized. Cabinets, drawers and shelves from your local organization or home goods store can help you clear clutter without the extra cost. Look for storage that stands on legs to avoid potential water issues.

7. Pegboards

There’s a reason the pegboard hasn’t gone out of style – it’s simple, affordable and incredibly effective. With the right pegs to fit into the holes, a pegboard can hold just about any tool or material for your garage workspace.

8. Built-in cabinetry

Built-in cabinetry is a budget buster, but it’s worth it if you have the funds. The wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling cabinetry in this garage make it easy to keep everything tidy. It’s the most expensive but most beautiful way to keep a garage organized.

Check out images of these ideas at Houzz here.

Whether you use it as a man cave or workshop, or just hate getting into an icy car in the winter, a winter-proof and heated garage is a great idea. And by adding a buffer between you and the outdoors, you might also be able to keep your house a little warmer, too. Insulating your door, upgrading your door, sealing the gaps, and heating things up can help you get it done.

Insulating the Door

A standard garage door is built to keep thieves out, not warmth in. So in order to make your garage a more comfortable space, you need to start by insulating the garage door. Fortunately, this is a pretty easy and affordable task. Garage door insulation kits — which you can pick up at any hardware store — come in two varieties: solid polystyrene sheets and soft spun fiberglass. In either case, all you’ll need to install is a utility knife to cut the insulation down to size. The polystyrene sheets pop into place between panels on your garage door, while the soft insulation kits are held in place by plastic clips, which you attach to the door.

In addition to insulating the door itself, you’ll also want to insulate around the door in order to keep out any drafts. Many garage doors already come with weather stripping installed, but check yours to make sure it isn’t cracked or showing signs of age. If you don’t already have weather stripping, or need to replace what you currently have installed, get a bottom seal — a strip of pliable rubber, vinyl or foam — that will keep drafts from gusting in beneath the door. You’ll also want to tackle the gaps around the side of the doors with another layer of weather stripping.

Upgrading Your Door

If you’re already in the market for a new garage door, or just want the best insulation possible, you might consider purchasing a weatherproof door. With insulation built right into the panels, these doors also feature better seals between the joints, keeping winter winds from creeping in between the cracks. While a prefabricated insulated door might set you back a pretty penny, there’s no substitute for someone looking to keep their garage toasty warm all winter long.

Sealing the Gaps

The door isn’t the only problem area in a garage. Cold air will seep in through any cracks and crevices that it can, and most garages feature plenty of these. The areas around pipes are often left uninsulated, as are electrical sockets, windows, vents and other openings. Seal these areas up tight with caulking or expanding foam insulation to keep the warmth in.

Heating Things Up

Sure, you can stick a standard space heater in your garage to keep you warm, but these small heaters are not the most efficient way to heat a large space. Radiant heaters really only warm the area immediately around them, which is nice if you plan to keep it next to your desk or easy chair, but not well suited to a space where you’ll be moving around a lot. If you want to get things hot in a hurry in your man cave or workshop, get a forced air heater — either a propane or electric variety — which use a fan to push warm air throughout the garage.

Taking it to the Next Level

Tackling the task of insulating the walls is too large a job for a novice, so if you seriously want to insulate the garage, your best bet is to hire a garage contractor. If you do plan to hire someone to take on the task, make sure they aren’t just slapping up some fiberglass insulation in between the studs and adding a layer of drywall. Heated garages are prone to condensation build up, which can cause you problems with rot and mildew down the road. So make sure they have a plan to properly ventilate the garage, allowing a means for moisture to escape, while still keeping you warm.

via Fox News.