Now that spring is upon us, you are likely itching to spend some time outdoors as temperatures begin to warm up and the gray skies clear, allowing for some much-needed sunshine and Vitamin D! You may be thinking about what kind of gardening you would like to do. This may include ripping out old or dead shrubs along the front of your house or driveway and planting new greenery. But have you thought about landscaping around your garage ? Even if your garage is set back from the street, and you think no one will notice, adding shrubbery and flowers around it can really “spruce” (pun intended) up its look.

Adding Greenery Can Enhance Your Garage’s Look

Certain types of plants are more conducive to the Midwest weather, which can include a lot of rainfall and hot, humid temperatures in the summer. Hostas are a popular plant for outdoor spaces, and they can thrive in the shade of big trees. In addition, there are certain plants that can help ward off pesky bugs in the springtime and summer. For example, mosquitoes do not like marigolds.

Your yard should complement your home and garage in terms of color, style, scale, and materials. Trees can frame your house and garage, but it is important not to have them conceal or overwhelm these structures. Plants and flowers should form a welcoming approach to your abode. Creating varying levels of plants, edging, borders, and curves will provide a landscaping foundation that is more than just a line of shrubs around the house and garage.

Here are a few landscaping ideas for enhancing the look and feel of your garage structure:

• Install plant boxes on garage window sills.
• Lay stones or bricks down to create a path around the garage.
• Add a gate or trellis to create a unique entrance from the front or side yard.
• Place a concrete statue (animal, angel, windmill, etc.) on each side of the garage door.
• Install a fountain to jazz up a garage’s adjacent patio.
• Put wrought-iron, glass, or wooden decorations on the garage siding or doors.
• Place birdhouses among the flowers and other plants.

Contact a DuPage County Garage Professional

Warmer temperatures may mean that you will be doing yardwork this spring and summer. An important aspect of your home’s curb appeal is landscaping. Consider adding trees, bushes, or flowers to complement your garage. A talented and experienced Downers Grove custom garage specialist can work with you to determine the best ways to enhance and show off your garage on the inside as well as the outside. The team at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. has been helping people create custom garages to fit their needs for over 42 years. Call our office at 630-852-8485 to learn more and set up a free estimate.

When you buy or build a house, there are numerous decisions to make, such as brick versus siding, paint colors, brands of appliances, and flooring. This can also apply to determining how you want your garage to look and function. Although most garages are built on a concrete slab, you do have options when it comes to placing a new floor over it. Whether you are simply storing your vehicles in the garage or utilizing the space as a home office or an entertainment center, it is important to consider the best type of flooring material to protect and maintain your property’s value.

Flooring Options

A garage floor has unique demands placed on it, so you want to make sure not to put any flooring material in your garage that could easily break or stain, but you still most likely want one that looks stylish or clean. Here are a few ideas for what to put down (with the help of a professional) as your garage floor:

• Roll-out vinyl flooring: This type of flooring is easy to install, and it hides dirt and stains well. Since it is one big piece, it is not as easy to repair as tile flooring, which allows homeowners to cut out and replace damaged sections. However, it can come in different color choices if you want to match wall color or even your cars.
• Interlocking tiles: Constructed of heavy-duty rubber or vinyl material, these types of squares can snap together as opposed to sticking directly onto the floor of a garage. They offer stability and hide cracks in concrete. One thing to note, however, is that a floor should be level to ensure that tiles fit together properly. Like peel-and-stick tiles, different colors of interlocking tiles can be combined to create unique patterns, such as a checkerboard.
• Peel and stick tiles: For level garage floors that do not have significant cracks or imbalances in height, peel-and-stick tiles may be an ideal solution. These tiles, which are usually made of heavy-duty vinyl, are easily cut and can be installed quickly. In addition, you can create customized patterns by utilizing different color combinations.
• Epoxy: Epoxy is a type of paint that contains hardening chemicals that are similar to latex. The epoxy paint is typically blended with a hardener and must be applied quickly while the mixture is still viable. If desired, color chips can be spread across the surface and then sealed using a clear coat to make a long-lasting, durable floor.
• Paint: Painting a garage floor is a simple and economic way to improve the look of it. Garage professionals can repair any cracks with concrete filler before painting, using materials designed specifically for covering floors. However, a floor will generally need to be repainted in a few years based on wear and tear, such as chips and scuff marks.
• Carpet: Certain types of carpeting are specifically designed to withstand multipurpose rooms such as a garage. Some stain-resistant carpets can even be power-washed.
• Concrete stain or sealer: The application of a thin coat of stain can allow the old floor to show through. As long as the concrete floor is in decent shape, it can present a natural stone appearance. Stain might last for a longer time than paint, since it becomes part of the floor’s material, eliminating the possibility of paint chipping off. Sealing leaves a subtle sheen that can make a dull, gray concrete floor newer and fresher. Sealers come as solvent-based or water-based.

Contact a DuPage County Garage Professional

There are many flooring options for homes as well as garages. Choosing the type of floor to install in your garage may depend on how you intend on using the space. The skilled Downers Grove garage specialists at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. have 42 years of experience creating custom garages of all shapes, sizes, and styles. To learn more about the services we offer and to schedule a free estimate, call us today at 630-852-8485.

Garages do not need to be just for cars and tools. So many people have learned to enjoy spending more time at home with family and neighbor friends this past year. If you are limited on space in your home, you may want to consider utilizing your garage space for regular activities. After a bit of reorganizing and renovation, why not turn your garage into a game room? It can also double as a quiet homework or reading spot when the games are unplugged. Whether your kids enjoy playing video games, you consider yourself a pool shark, or you like throwing darts, your garage can be an ideal place to house all of your favorite games so you can take a break from it all.

Make it Your Own

Regardless of the types of games you play, in order to create your new game center in the garage, you need to decide how much space you have. In other words, are you using the entire garage space and leaving your vehicles outside or in a carport? Another alternative is using a section of your garage for gaming instead of storing sports equipment or gardening tools. These can always go in separate structures such as sheds, or you can install shelving and hooks to hold them.

If video games are your thing, you will need to make sure you have enough electrical outlets for a flat-screen TV and any game systems. In addition, you likely will want to put in a comfy couch or use the gaming chairs that are all the rage these days among the younger generation. If sound is important to you, hang speakers or install surround sound to provide yourself with a full sensory experience. To make the area more cozy, add insulation and drywall, as well as can lighting as you would if you were finishing a basement. This also means laying down carpet to make the area warmer and more inviting for guests. For those who prefer the more old-school type of gaming, you can put in arcade games or pinball machines.

To make the most out of your space, you may want to use a pool table that can be converted into a ping pong table or a surface for board games. Dartboards do not take up much room on the wall, but you will want to ensure you have a solid beam to hang it on and enough distance in front to throw the darts. Foosball and air hockey are also fun and competitive games that you can add to your new gaming headquarters. When hosting a gathering with friends or family members during the winter months, consider installing heating units or space heaters in your garage. In the summer, the garage doors can be left open, which expands the usable area to the outside and driveway.

Contact a Downers Grove Garage Specialist

Game rooms are not always in basements. Remodeling your garage to make it gaming central can provide hours of entertainment throughout the year. The dedicated team at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. has over 40 years of experience building and renovating garages of all shapes, sizes, and styles. Our reputable DuPage County garage professionals are masters of their craft, and we will help you turn your vision into reality. To learn more about how our skills can enhance your garage, call us today at 630-852-8485 to schedule a free estimate.

Storage space is often a very desirable option when it comes to buying or building a home. Whether it is a bedroom closet, kitchen pantry, basement, or garage, people need places to put all of their “stuff.” There are many items that you may like to keep in your garage or shed, such as gardening tools, lawnmowers, snowblowers, outdoor patio furniture, bicycles, scooters, holiday decorations, sports equipment, and more. Along with all of these items, you may be struggling to find space for your vehicles in your garage. One option is to create additional storage space by installing overhead shelving units. Determining how large these can be often depends on the structure and size of your garage, including the roof line.

Hanging from the Rafters

Regardless of whether you have a finished, drywalled ceiling in your garage or simply wooden rafters, you can find a storage solution that works. The garage ceiling or attic can be the ideal place to store lighter or medium weight seasonal items like holiday decorations and camping gear. Some options include:

• Ceiling Track Storage: Placing plastic storage bins up off the garage floor and onto the ceiling can eliminate water damage to items inside. The lips of the bins can slide into wood that is screwed into the ceiling.
• Pipe Racks: Stow bulky items overhead with a rack made from PVC pipes and fittings. Bolting racks to the ceiling joists allows them to support heavy loads. The PVC’s smooth surface makes for easy loading and unloading. Water or snow skis, curtain rods, brooms, and other long, narrow objects can be kept out of the way until you need them.
• Hooks: Hang long items such as ladders, lawn equipment, or pieces of wood by adding J-style hooks under your garage doors.
• Ceiling-Mounted Shelves: Add wire shelving units for additional overhead garage storage with an adjustable-height ceiling storage rack. These can be ideal for coolers, tents, sleeping bags, and miscellaneous bins or containers. Hanging a shallow rack above where the garage door opens and deeper shelving where your garage door track stops will maximize your vertical space.
• Attic Decking Panels: These panels can provide a usable and accessible surface for storing items. It is important to make sure your rafters can carry the extra weight/loads.
• Bicycle Hoist: Similar to hooks, a pulley system can store bicycles with a strong, thick rope, making it easy to move up and down when not in use.
• Joist Space Shelving: Similar to a basement, you can utilize the space between joists in a garage. Screw wire shelving to the underside of the joists. Smaller sized bins can fit nicely up in between the joists and rest on the shelves.
• Extension Ladder Holder: Mount sturdy racks on your garage ceiling (not interfering with your garage door) by screwing them into the ceiling joists. A ladder can slide in and out when needed, but it will not take up room like when it is propped up against the garage wall. This also eliminates the risk of it falling on someone or your vehicles.

Contact a Chicago Area Garage Builder

Overhead storage solutions are ideal for garages, where space is often limited. The talented team at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. has over 40 years of experience creating garages of all shapes, sizes, and styles. Our DuPage County garage professionals will help you maximize your storage space so you have more room to keep your prized possessions. To learn more about how we can transform your garage, call us today at 630-852-8485 and schedule a free estimate.

The Chicago-area winters can be especially cold and long. Temperatures can hover at or below freezing from November all the way to March. Although some natives of Illinois may venture outside to get some exercise, many prefer to work out indoors during these months. With COVID-19 restrictions still in place throughout the state, it may be awhile before individuals will feel safe going to a public gym or rec center. As such, now might be the perfect time to consider renovating your garage into a workout area. Whether you want to utilize the entire garage space or just a section of it, there are ways to accomplish your goal of staying fit and healthy.

Tips for the Best Use of Space

Creating a gym in your garage can save you time and money in the long run. Gym memberships can be expensive, and there may be gas and transportation costs if there is not a gym within walking distance. Having an area to exercise in your garage makes it much more convenient, which is sometimes half the battle. In addition, if you are working from home or your kids are learning remotely, going to the garage allows for an escape from the same four walls. Keep in mind that depending on the size of your garage, you may or may not be able to leave your vehicles in it during your workout time. If you have a three-car garage but only two cars, that extra space can be ideal. You can also move your lawnmower or snowblower to a shed if you have one.

Here are a few steps for turning your garage into a place to get exercise when it is too cold to go outside:

1. Clean the area you want to use and donate any items you are not using.
2. Put decorations or lawn and gardening tools in labeled bins.
3. Install hooks or shelving units to store dumbbells, gloves, jump ropes, medicine balls, and more.
4. Make a floor plan that provides enough space to set up a treadmill, weight bench, stationary bike, or yoga mat.
5. Mount a flat-screen TV on the wall to watch workout videos, the news, or listen to music while you work out.
6. Hook up a ceiling fan or portable fan for cooling off and to ensure adequate ventilation.
7. Consider putting in light fixtures or a skylight for more natural light.
8. Seal the floor with epoxy or place a rubber mat down for cushion.
9. Build out walls and insulate with drywall for a more secure and comfortable room.

Contact a Downers Grove Garage Builder

Creating an area to exercise may be just the motivation you need for your New Year’s resolution to lose a few pounds. If you are thinking about using your garage as a workout room, we can help you make the most of your space. Blue Sky Builders, Inc. has more than 40 years of experience building and renovating all types of garages. Our reputable DuPage County garage professionals have proven experience turning your ideas into reality. To learn more about our offerings, call our office today at 630-852-8485 to schedule a free estimate.