Blue Sky Builders, Inc. has helped hundreds of homeowners in the Chicagoland area build their brand new dream garage and/or renovate their current garage. Some of our customers have been so kind as to give us their testimonials on their garages that we have built and/or remodeled for them. We will share some of these below.

“I am very happy with my garage, and also with the quality of service from every one of the workmen at every stage of the project. Everyone was friendly as well as competent. I also appreciate the way you were always there when I had a question and always got back to me as quickly as possible with the answer. And I especially appreciate the way you went the exra mile and did things you didn’t have to do, like bringing in the load of gravel to fill the low spot in my driveway so I could actually drive into the garage. I will definitely recommend Blue Sky to anyone I know. Thank you again for a job well done.”

– Vera K., Lombard, IL

To see a gallery of garages we have built in Lombard, link to: Lombard Garage Gallery.

“After our previous experience with a builder we were “gun shy”. Dealing with you was such a different adventure – it was great!! You followed your word and the contract to the letter – no surprises, no misunderstandings, no cost overruns. This was fantastic. The tradesmen who did the job were skilled, efficient, friendly and courteous. They came, they “did”, and they left. The job site was cleaned up and our garage looks wonderful. We would highly recommend your company to anyone who was looking to build a garage.”

– Greg G. and Judith H., Glen Ellyn, IL

To see a gallery of garages we have built in Glen Ellyn, link to: Glen Ellyn Garage Gallery.

“I had been waiting to get the custom garage of my dreams for a LONG TIME! Blue Sky Builders, Inc. made this possible and I couldn’t be happier. For quite some time we were looking for help on who could custom make garages best. We looked at some of the work Blue Sky did and chose them immediately.”

– Jannette R., Downers Grove, IL

To see a gallery of garages we have built in Downers Grove, link to: Downers Grove Garage Gallery.

“I wanted to send a note to thank you for doing such a great job on my garage. It was by far the smoothest running project I have had. You were very organized, neat, and completed the garage as planned. I can’t tell you enough how nice it is to have people like you!”

– Nancy H., Western Springs, IL

To see a gallery of garages we have built in Western Springs, link to: Western Springs Garage Gallery.

You can view all of our customer testimonials here.

Thanks to all of our great customers for the feedback! We are always working to find ways to improve our business for our valued customers. We encourage everyone to give us their feedback on their experience with us. Be sure to contact us and let us know how we did so we can share your garage story too!

We have also been reviewed on various sites such as Angie’s List, where we won the Super Service Award. In addition, customers have reviewed us on Chicago’s CitySearch and DexKnows.

Check out some of our garage projects using the links below:

Custom Garage Gallery

Gable Garage Gallery

Hip Garage Gallery

Custom Garage Features Gallery

When it comes to garage door openers, there are a lot more options nowadays. In the past standard garage door openers such as chain-driven models, belt-driven models, and screw-driven openers were the only options available to those interested in automating their garage doors. Now, residential jackshaft and direct-drive models have been introduced.

An article from Bob Vila, Garage Door Openers 101, shared details about the different types of garage door openers, including some advantages and disadvantages. We will share more details below.

Standard Garage Door Openers

Standard garage door openers include chain-driven models, belt-drive openers, and screw-driven openers.

Chain-Driven Models

A chain (similar to a bicycle chain) pushes or pulls a trolley that connects to a metal bar, called a J-arm, that is affixed to the garage door.

• Advantage: Newer chain-driven units with DC motors and soft start-and-stop technology are significantly quieter than older units.
• Disadvantage: If your garage is situated under a bedroom, the noise generated by metal-to-metal contact and vibration may be a nuisance.

Belt-Driven Openers

Very similar in design to chain-driven models, except a reinforced belt is the what pushes or pulls the trolley. Belts are made of fiberglass, polyurethane, or steel-reinforced rubber.

• Advantage: Belt-driven openers are just as reliable as chain-driven openers but quieter.
• Disadvantage: Belt-driven openers cost about $30 to $60 more than chain-driven units.

Screw-Driven Openers

With screw-driven openers, the trolley rides on a threaded-steel rod as a motor rotates the rod.

• Advantage: Because this design has fewer moving parts, manufacturers claim that it requires less maintenance than other systems. Screw-driven openers are among speediest these days, opening a door at 10- to 12-in. per second compared to the standard 6- to 8-in. per second.
• Disadvantage: Screw-driven openers have run into trouble in regions that have large swings in temperature from summer to winter. In addition, they are noisier than belt-driven openers.

Jackshaft and Direct-Drive Garage Door Openers

Jackshaft openers

Unlike other garage door opener systems, jackshaft openers mount on the wall beside the garage door. A 24-v DC motor drives pulleys and cables that turn the torsion bar and raise the garage door. When the motor is reversed, cable tension is loosened and the door lowers.

• Advantage: This system is reliable and quiet. In addition, it keeps the ceiling free for overhead storage and is well-suited to garages with high or low ceilings.
• Disadvantage: Jackshaft openers are more expensive than most other types of openers.

Direct-Drive Units

Developed and manufactured in Germany, the motor (not a trolley) travels along a stationary chain that is embedded in an overhead rail. A J-arm links the moving motor to the door.

• Advantage: Direct-drive units are claimed to be the quietest of all garage door units, because there is only one moving part-the motor. Direct-drive units cost about the same as belt-driven units and come with lifetime warranties.

You can read the full article here.

If you have any questions about garage door openers, please contact us. Blue Sky Builders, Inc. offers LiftMaster garage door openers for all garages that we build. We can install these garage door openers for you when you build your new garage, or even fix existing garage door openers that you have.

In our three-part garage type series we will be focusing on the different types of garages that are available, details on each type, and real pictures of garages we have built. This post will focus on Hip Garages.

Overall, hip garages are the most common type of garage for a variety of reasons.

Hip garages are four sided, as opposed to the two-sided gable roof discussed in our last blog post. Below we will share some advantages of hip garages and pictures of hip garages we have built in the Chicago and surrounding suburbs.

Advantages of Hip Garages

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. Advantages of hip garages include:

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

Like gabled garages, hip garages are common in areas that receive a lot of snow. Steep slopes are advantageous in areas that have a lot of snow in the winter. However, hip garages are less vulnerable than gable garages to high wind.

Hip Garage Portfolio

18 x 20 Hip Garage

28 x 20 Hip Garage

23 x 23 Hip Garage

Custom 22 x 20 Hip Garage with Hip Dormer

Custom 31 x 21 Hip Garage with Hip Dormers

Custom 36 x 22 Hip Garage with Hip Dormer

To see all of our hip garages, visit our gallery by clicking here.

What type of garage do you have/want? Stayed tuned for our remaining posts on garage types or check out our post on Gable Garages.

If you are going to get a new garage, there are many things to take into consideration. Important considerations include style (custom, hip, gable) and material, and size. The size of your garage is critical in meeting your garage needs. When choosing a size you should consider your vehicles, storage needs, walking space, and your available land space. Below are some guidelines for choosing the right size garage from eHow.

The minimum size for most single-car garages is 12 feet wide by 20 feet long. For a two-car garage the minimum dimensions are 18 feet wide by 20 feet long. Understand these are minimum dimensions if you plan on limiting your storage primarily to automobiles, with minimum room for walking.

Consider Your Vehicle When Choosing Garage Size

Measure the length of the vehicle or vehicles you want to store in the garage. Measure both the length and width, with doors open. Consider if you will move to a larger vehicle in the future. Measure the length of the trailer and boat if you wish to store them in the garage.

Storage Needs

Make a list of all the items you want stored in your garage. Common items include cars, lawnmowers, tools, sports equipment, refrigerators and workbenches. Consider all these items when determining the size of your garage. Determine from your list if there will be a need for shelves.

Extra room will enhance garage storage space. Adding just 2 or 4 extra feet to the length or width of a garage creates a lot of extra room. You can build a wall of shelving 24 inches deep that takes up garage space from floor to ceiling. Acquiring this kind of room expands the cubic feet of storage space, so you can stack boxes or bins of items. It’s possible to build a workbench into the wall storage space, too.

Walking Space

Consider how much walking space you need in your garage with all items present. The best way to accomplish this is to park your vehicle or vehicles in an open area as if they were parked in the garage. Open their doors. Place all your other items around the vehicles where you would like them to be. Leave 4 feet of space for walking around each vehicle. Measure the dimensions.

Land Space

Observe your available land space for the size of your garage. If your home is in a residential area, make sure the garage will not be too close to adjacent property. If the home is in the country, determine which trees will need to be removed or land reshaped to accommodate the garage size you want.

Blue Sky Builders, Inc. can help you choose the garage size that is right for you. If you have any questions, please contact us. Or for more information, you can view typical garage styles and sizes here.