Are you getting the most out of your garage or is it just a space to store things and park a car? Your garage can be so much more. An upgrade to your garage can give you more opportunities to utilize the space and increase your home’s value. Here are a few examples of how you can spruce up your garage and turn it into a brand-new space!

Practical Upgrades

There are a few different routes you can take when making upgrades to your garage. The first step is cleaning up and organizing the space to get a scope of your garage. This can also help bring to light any areas that could use improvement.

Connecting a Detached Garage – If your house and garage are separate, perhaps it is time to look into connecting the two with a breezeway or corridor. This is contingent on a few factors but is definitely worth looking into if it is an option for you financially.

Adding Additional Storage – If you find yourself struggling with keeping things organized in the garage, consider looking into additional cabinets or other storage systems. A lot of garages have overhead space that could be better utilized with shelving to store items. New shelving, hook systems, and storage lockers are also great ideas.

Putting in Plumbing – It may not be the highest priority on your list, but running plumbing out to your garage can have a lot of benefits. If you need a sink often enough while working, adding plumbing to a garage can change the game for home projects. If space allows, you could add a bathroom to the garage. This can be useful on days when you are working outside and getting dirty but need to use the bathroom. You will no longer worry about tracking dirt through the home or having to change clothes just to use the restroom.

Cosmetic Upgrades

Perhaps your home and garage were built at separate times, or your home was renovated and your garage was not? Maybe the look of your garage was never quite what you pictured. There are a lot of features and changes to be made that can transform the space into the garage of your dreams.

New Garage Door – There are several options on style and material for your garage door these days. You can even add designs and pick a stylish color to give it an accent.

Bring in Some Light – Many garages are built without windows. Putting in a few can make a world of difference and make it feel like an entirely new space. It can also help with regulating temperature as well.

Changing the Siding – If your garage has been through multiple seasons and is beginning to show signs of weathering, you could look into upgrading the siding. As with garage doors, there are several materials that could be better suited for your needs and your climate.

Reach Out to a Downers Grove Custom Builder

If you are thinking your garage is in need of some sprucing up, maybe now is the time! By contacting our DuPage County garage renovation experts, you can begin to plan the space of your dreams. Call Blue Sky Builders, Inc. at 630-852-8485 today!

Did you know that not all garage door openers are created equal? The garage door opener is something that we rarely think about unless something goes wrong with it. Aside from the basic functions of opening and closing, most of us are indifferent to what goes into the mechanics of it all. If your opener has stopped working and you are in the market for a new one, do not jump too quickly on the first or cheapest option available. Here are just a few things to consider before getting a new garage door opener.

Different Types of Openers

• Screw Drive – One of the more powerful options for an opener is the screw drive. This type of opener is particularly handy when you have a very heavy door such as a wooden one and require more force to open the door. It will require a small amount of maintenance such as checking the bolts every now and then. While not among the most expensive options, the screw drive opener is not the cheapest, either.

• Chain Drive – Adversely, the chain drive is the most wallet-friendly option. It does not have as much power as the screw drive, but if you have a lighter door such as an aluminum door, this will not pose any problems. The main drawback of this option, however, is the noise. If your garage shares a wall with a space that needs to be quieter such as a bedroom with thin walls, this may not be your ideal opener.

• Belt Drive – The belt drive, however, is quiet. In fact, it is among the quietest and quickest options. The belts they use are reinforced with steel so they have adequate strength to pull most garage doors easily. The belt can be damaged easily and may need to be replaced occasionally, though.

• Direct Drive – The top of the line in strength, quietness, and speed is the direct drive. It functions off of a stationary chain and a steel rail. The downside to this option is, of course, the price is higher than all the others as well.

Additional Considerations

Some other things to think about before you get a new garage door opener are the small features that you could utilize. A code pad for entry on the door has become fairly standard for most modern garages and is incredibly handy. If you need someone to pet sit for you, if you forgot your key somewhere, or if the battery of your opener has begun to go out, an entry pad is a perfect feature to include.

Motion sensors are also standard in most garages today and ensure that you remain safe while closing the door. If someone were to be unaware of the door closing, the sensor will make sure they are not injured. Most are built into the bottom of the door, but there are also options that can be built into the door itself.

Contact Our Custom Builders Today!

Before you jump on the first available garage door opener, contact one of our Downers Grove garage experts at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. to find what option best suits your needs.

Call 630-852-8485 today!

The garage is the perfect place for a multitude of things. The garage can quickly become a catch-all for many objects, whether you use the space for storing automotive supplies, working on projects or crafts, a place to stash outdoor furniture, or organizing gardening equipment. However, this habit can quickly become a messy problem when storage begins to clutter. You may find yourself running short of room to keep everything organized. Luckily, there are several measures you can take to keep your garage in order and hold the clutter at bay.

Blank Canvas

Starting off with a clean slate is the simplest way to create adequate storage systems, but often this is not our situation. When faced with the task of organizing, try your best to declutter and go through everything in your garage as best you can.

• Eliminate anything you no longer need – Over the years, you may have hung onto spare parts, bits of wood, or old furniture that you do not have use for. Consider donating or getting rid of these things to free up valuable space.

• Group like things together – It can be a bit of a challenge to decide what things should go together, but committing to any method of grouping can greatly improve your organization.

• Set aside anything that might be better suited in another location – Many things that may be stored in a garage may be better suited for a different location. Electronics, paint, and certain chemicals are not great with temperature changes. An uninsulated garage may spoil or damage these items. Consider moving them into a basement or storage closet if possible.

Storage Containers

After you have established a firm grasp on what you have in your garage, you can organize and store things more efficiently. Cabinets and storage bins are ideal for storage. Cabinets are convenient for tools and items you use more regularly and need access to. For things such as seasonal items and equipment, consider keeping these items in storage bins that easily stack. You may not be able to access all of the bins as easily, but they will not take up as much space and will stay neat and tidy in the bins.

Make sure to implement a labeling system of sorts so you know what is in each bin and cabinet so you don’t have to go digging every time you need something.

Stay Organized with our Chicago Area Restoration Professionals

Perhaps the hardest part of cleaning and organization is maintaining the habit of keeping up with it. With a modest system in place and the appropriate storage space, your garage can be an efficient and clean space. If you are looking for additional ideas and methods to increase space and storage, reach out to ourDowners Grove garage restoration experts at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. by calling 630-852-8485 today!

The garage door is one of the most noticeable pieces of your home. It will draw the eye of anyone looking at your property, including potential buyers if you are attempting to sell. If you are interested in setting your home apart or giving it a fresh new look, consider improving the door to your garage. It is amazing the difference a new door can make; but where do you start when you are looking for a new door? You want to make sure you get the door that suits your home the best.

Deciding on the Material

There are many different materials a garage door can be made from. Though most are made from steel, that does not necessarily mean you have to choose that option. Garage doors can be made up of a variety of materials including:

Vinyl

Vinyl garage doors are fairly easy to maintain and hold up over the years. They are sturdy and resilient to dents and cracks. However, they are more susceptible to the harsher conditions of the seasons. Direct sunlight and extreme cold can be hard on vinyl doors.

Wood

Wooden doors look great when they are in good condition. It sets your home apart in many cases and gives the garage a nice accent. They are typically more expensive in outright cost and require more upkeep than many of the other options.

Aluminum

Aluminum doors are among the easiest to install and the easiest on your wallet. They are very similar to steel doors but are lighter and easier to dent and damage. Aluminum doors typically are available in multiple designs and styles, giving you some options for customization.

Steel

As mentioned, steel garage doors are the most common. They are low maintenance, come in many designs, and are fairly durable. No garage door is impervious and a steel door, especially cheaper options, are still prone to dents and rust. Much like the aluminum doors, there are many designs available with steel doors as well.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass doors are not as common as the other materials, but they are an option. They are fairly durable and similar to vinyl doors in that they are resilient to dents and cracks. Fiberglass is also similar to vinyl in another way, both are not ideal for extreme cold weather.

Reach out to our Chicago Area Restoration Professionals

The garage door is one of the most eye-catching aspects of your home and there are many options available to customize it. Reach out to our Chicago area garage renovation experts at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. Contact our team by calling 630-852-8485 and discuss your options for your garage door today!

A garage has been well established as an ideal spot to store many common objects. However, there are quite a few items you want to avoid keeping out of your garage. Though for many of the items, the garage may seem to be the obvious location for storage, it is best to avoid keeping these things inside the home.

Do Not Make a Home for Uninvited Guests

As the temperatures begin to cool down in the coming months in the greater Chicago area, mice and other pests will be looking for warmer places to hide and burrow. Don’t give these critters any more reason to choose your garage as their shelter!

• Avoid keeping pet food in the garage. Mice and other rodents are attracted to an easy food source.
• Piles and stacks of firewood are perfect hiding spots for small creatures.
• Do not keep books in a garage. Silverfish are known to eat away at the bindings of books and love colder dark spaces such as a garage cabinet.
• Seasonal clothes or fabrics may not be needed for some months, but keeping them in the garage is asking for trouble. Rodents are likely to chew away at them. Moths are also a huge threat in this scenario.

Beat the Heat (And the Cold)

Since most garages are not insulated and temperature controlled as the home, it is subject to extreme temperatures and fluctuating humidity levels. Unless your garage has been outfitted to deal with the harsh ups and downs of the weather, it is best to keep these items out of the garage:

• Paint cans almost seem at home in a garage, but the color and consistency of the paint can be altered if exposed to hot or freezing temperatures. Consider keeping paint in a basement, if available where it is less susceptible to changing temperatures.
• Canned food or bottled drinks such as wine should be kept out of the garage.
• Many garages are typically an obvious spot for a second refrigerator or freezer, but depending on how hot or cold the garage can get, the appliance may have to work very hard to maintain the optimum temperature. Your electric bill could be taking a beating here unless it is in a climate-controlled area.
• Propane tanks and oily rags must be handled with caution and kept out of extreme heat.

When in Doubt, Call the Experts!

At Blue Sky Builders, Inc., we are prepared for any curve balls in the weather of the Chicago area. Despite record highs or lows the seasons may bring, our garages are ready for anything. For more guidelines and tips on garage organization, get in touch with our expert builders at 630-852-8485 today!