Walking into a garage in the middle of the summer can sometimes be unbearably hot. When making improvements, additions, and renovations to a garage, an individual should consider how each garage feature and component may affect airflow and comfort within the garage including the type and color of doors installed, and the siding and roofing of the garage.

Before jumping into solutions, the garage owner should consider the expectations they have for their garage in terms of purpose and time. It is important to consider if big appliances will be used and stored here as they will generate more heat. Additionally, an owner should consider how long of periods and what time of day they will spend inside their garage. All of these variables will help garage owners determine the best solution for their cooling needs.

Temporary Garage Cooling Options

Installing fans in a garage may make for the biggest improvement. Fans are one of the cheapest options available for garage cooling, there are typically two types of fans appropriate for a garage: fans that you can mount on your wall and fans that stand up by themselves on the floor. Fans with metal blades are likely the best fit for a garage as they are easier to clean and less expensive.

Dehumidifiers also pose a great option for garage cooling, especially in areas with high humidity. This option can also make the garage more comfortable throughout other months as it will reduce condensation year-round.

Though it may be a solution with less immediate results, adding shade to the surrounding area of the garage can also be very effective when attempting to better control the level of heat. Additionally, it may be wise for garage owners to park recently used vehicles outside of the garage after arriving home and allow them to cool before moving them inside.

Permanent Garage Cooling Options

Adding adequate insulation to a garage can also greatly assist in reducing the level of heat. There are several areas of the garage that could greatly benefit from the addition of insulation. Installing insulation in areas such as the ceiling, walls, attic, and doors can provide improved capabilities. In particular, garage attic insulation can help to reduce the amount of heat that comes in through the roof. Additionally, by insulating the garage door, to help block the heat from entering that way.

If a garage doubles as a workshop for the owner’s vehicle, installing vents in the garage may be the most advantageous option. Not only will this assist with better airflow, but it will also prevent the inhalation of an engine’s toxic fumes.

Alternatively, a garage owner may simply want to opt for an air conditioning system suited for the garage. Air conditioning will likely do a very good job of keeping the garage cooler on summer days, however, it is also likely the most expensive option.

Contact Our Chicago Area Garage Renovation Professionals

There are several cooling methods available when attempting to lower the temperature of a garage during the warmer months. Which option best suits you depends on several factors including how you use your garage, for how long you use it, and where your garage is located. Fitting your garage for comfortable use throughout the summer months can be a difficult task, however with help from our DuPage garage renovation professionals, you can accurately determine the best cooling method for your garage. Contact our team with Blue Sky Builders, Inc. today to learn more about how we can help to make your garage more comfortable by calling 630-852-8485.

Sources:

https://www.hgtv.com/design/remodel/interior-remodel/best-ways-heat-cool-garage-workshop

Garages are often used for storage purposes. It is often overlooked how important organization is in regards to the effectiveness of that storage capability. An advantageous method of garage storage and organization is the installation of cabinets. The completion of a garage does not require cabinets, however, garage cabinets provide a modern look for your space while also providing a protective place to store your belongings.

Additional common reasons for installing garage cabinets include:

• Improved garage space
• Equipment organization
• Simple and protective storage of equipment and tools
• Add value to your home

Which Type of Garage Cabinet is Right for You?

There are a wide variety of garage cabinets available on the market and each one has advantages and disadvantages.

If your kitchen was recently remodeled, you may be interested in recycling your old kitchen cabinets for your garage. While this is an affordable and environmentally friendly approach, recycled kitchen cabinets will not be able to hold as heavy as products (such as paint cans, automobile parts, and metal tools) or appropriately handle garage climates.

Another affordable option for garage cabinets is molded plastic cabinets. These are often designed specifically for garage use and come in many different shapes and sizes to accommodate a variety of items. An advantage to this type of cabinet is that they are often waterproof and easy to clean.

If a homeowner wants the most durable cabinets for their garage, they may be interested in metal cabinets. These are likely the most expensive option, but also the most effective option when it comes to protecting your belongings from climate exposure and insects.

Guidelines To Follow When Picking Out Garage Cabinets

Before making any decisions in terms of what cabinets you want to add to your garage, there are some factors you may want to consider.

It is recommended that garage cabinets have back panels. Additionally, homeowners may want to consider adjustable cabinets in order to better take advantage of space and cabinet functionality.

When looking into the best cabinets for your garage, you may want to consider if there will ever be small children in close proximity with any dangerous items or chemicals that are stored in the garage. If so, locks or cabinets with locking capabilities should be at the top of your list.

Lastly, any garage owner who wants to install cabinets should take the time and effort to carefully measure out their space. Obviously, your cabinets should fit well in the given space. Furthermore, you will want to make sure you still have full access and functionality to your cabinets when a vehicle is parked inside the garage.

Contact Our Downers Grove Garage Renovation Professionals

Given the right resources and effort, garages can make for an advantageous addition to your home. Cabinets can be an extremely effective way to organize your garage, protect your important possessions, and keep dangerous products out of reach. Our Dupage County garage renovation professionals will help you find the right cabinets for your family and your space. Contact our team today at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. by calling 630-852-8485.

As a homeowner, you may not put too much thought into your garage door opener. As long as it opens and closes your garage door without any problems, it may seem like a standard piece of machinery that simply does its job. However, if you need to replace a garage door opener that has worn out or broken down, or if you are planning to build a new custom garage, you may want to look at your options and determine the best type of garage door opener for your home.

Choosing the Right Garage Door Opener

Your choice of garage door opener will depend on your needs, your budget, and any limitations that you may need to address. The available options include:

• Chain-drive garage door openers – These are the most common types of equipment used in garages, and they use a chain that connects a motor to the garage door. These systems can be loud, and vibrations may be felt in other parts of a home while they are operating. However, they are less expensive than other types of garage door openers.
• Belt-drive garage door openers – These function similarly to chain-drive garage door openers, but instead of a chain, they use a belt made of materials such as rubber or polyurethane. This allows the equipment to operate more quietly than chain-drive garage door openers. However, belt-drive garage door openers are also more expensive.
• Screw-drive garage door openers – These use a threaded steel rod that is rotated to open and close a garage door. While they are very reliable because they have fewer moving parts, they are also louder than other types of garage door openers.
• Direct-drive garage door openers – These are the quietest type of garage door opener, and they function by having the motor attach directly to the garage door and move across a stationary track mounted on the garage’s ceiling.
• Jackshaft garage door openers – These wall-mounted garage door openers use pulleys and cables to turn a garage door’s torsion bar to open and close the door. They can be a good option for garages that have either low or high ceilings. These are the most expensive types of garage door openers.

In some cases, a simple chain-drive garage door opener may be the best, most cost-effective option. However, you may want to consider other types of garage door openers if you are looking to cut down on noise in the areas of your home above or around your garage or if you are looking for a reliable system that is less likely to break down over time. You may also want to consider a wall-mounted garage door opener if you are looking to free up ceiling space for overhead storage.

Contact Our DuPage County Garage Door Opener Specialists

At Blue Sky Builders, Inc., we can help you choose the garage door opener that will meet your needs, and we will make sure all equipment is installed properly and runs smoothly. To learn how we can help you create a custom garage that will allow you to use your space as effectively as possible, contact our Chicago area garage renovation experts at 630-852-8485.

During the summer, people in Illinois are likely to experience strong weather, including major thunderstorms or tornadoes. Residents of DuPage County were recently given a reminder of the dangers of summer storms when a tornado touched down in Naperville, damaging multiple homes. While it might not be possible to completely prevent a tornado from causing damage to your home, you will want to be aware of some steps you can take to ensure that your garage can withstand strong weather and minimize the chances of serious damage.

Preventing Damage to Your Garage Door in a Storm

Your garage door is most likely the largest opening to your home. This makes it a significant weak point, especially since garage doors are usually lighter and less resilient than the surrounding walls and structure of a home. This means that when pressure is placed on a home, such as by heavy winds, and rain during a storm or by a tornado, the garage door is the part of the home that is most likely to fail. When this happens, the home’s walls and roof may also be affected, and depending on the severity of a storm, they may be damaged, or they could collapse entirely.

To ensure that your garage is protected against strong weather, you can check to make sure that your garage door has the proper wind pressure rating. This will specify the wind speed that a door will be able to withstand. If you have an older garage door, or if your door is damaged or worn down, you may want to consider replacing it with a newer, more sturdy garage door. Ideally, you will want to use a door that is constructed of durable materials that will stand up to strong winds, rain, snow, and ice. You may also want to consider adding braces that can be used to strengthen your garage during strong storms in which tornadoes are more likely to occur.

You may also want to consider replacing or strengthening the interior door between your garage and the rest of your home. If your garage door does fail, a strong interior door may help prevent additional damage to your home by bracing against strong winds and avoiding sudden pressure changes in the interior of your home.

Contact Our Downers Grove Garage Renovation Specialists

At Blue Sky Builders, Inc., we can help you determine the best methods for ensuring that your garage has the proper protection against strong storms. Whether you are looking to replace your garage door, install a new interior door, or strengthen your garage’s structure, we can make sure these renovations are completed properly. We can also help you determine your best options for repairing storm damage to your garage or building a new custom garage that will meet your needs. To schedule a free estimate, contact our DuPage County custom garage experts at 630-852-8485.

Your garage door is likely to be one of the most-used entrances to your home, and because of this, it can experience a significant amount of wear and tear. Replacing your garage door will not only make sure you will be able to enter and exit your garage without any problems, but it can also add additional visual appeal, provide better insulation, and improve your home’s security. If you are looking to install a new garage door, you will want to consider the best type of material that will fit your needs and budget.

Garage Door Materials

Some of the most commonly used materials for garage doors include:

• Wood – Garage doors with a natural wood finish can be very visually appealing, and they often provide good insulation for a garage. However, they can also be very heavy, and they will need to be properly maintained to prevent weather damage due to rain, snow, or humidity. As an alternative, homeowners may consider wood composite garage doors that provide the natural appearance of wood while being more durable and offering better insulation.
• Steel – These types of doors are very durable and cost-effective. They can be insulated, and they can be painted to match the colors of a home. However, they can be dented or scratched, and they are susceptible to rust and corrosion.
• Aluminum – This metal is lighter than steel, and it is resistant to rust. Some aluminum garage doors may also provide glass panels, allowing for more natural light in a garage. This material is more expensive than steel, but it can also be more easily dented or damaged.
• Fiberglass – This material is highly durable, and while it has a similar appearance to wood, it will not warp or crack due to moisture or weather conditions. It provides good insulation, and it is often less expensive than other materials.
• Vinyl – These types of doors provide good insulation, and they are resistant to dents and other forms of damage. They are very durable, and they do not require very much maintenance.

Contact Our Chicago Area Garage Door Replacement Experts

If you need a new door for your garage, the professionals at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. can help you determine the best option that will fit your needs. We will explain the advantages and disadvantages of the different materials that are available, and we will help you select a door that fits the design of your home and provides you with the necessary insulation. With our help, you can install a new garage door that will last for years to come. To get a free estimate, contact our Downers Grove garage door specialists by calling 630-852-8485.