Weighing the Pros and Cons of Attached and Detached Garages

/in /by

You may find yourself purchasing an older home that is missing a garage . Perhaps you are planning to build a custom home with a personalized garage construction. Whatever the case, if you choose between an attached or detached garage, how do you decide? The immediate response may be to build a garage that is attached to the home, however, that may not suit your needs. Blue Sky Builders, Inc. can help guide you through the pros and cons of both styles so you find what is perfect for you.

Detached Garages

A major factor in your decision could be based on your property. If the plot of land you are building on is long but narrow, a garage behind the home may be the option. In some neighborhoods, it may be very common for homes to have alleys running behind them. This is often where a garage will be placed as the land is not wide enough to allow a buildout on the side of the house.

Another benefit of a detached garage is privacy. If you live in a home where the residents have different work schedules and someone needs to leave early in the morning, a garage away from the house can reduce the noise and disturbance it may cause the others in the house. Similarly, if you work on projects out in the garage, it can give you more freedom to work in peace at any hour.

Often, assuming the lot provides the space, it is easier to build a larger garage if it is not attached. This may be of use if you need extra space for storage or as a workspace.

Some drawbacks of a detached garage include:

  • More building costs
  • Loss of yard space
  • Not protected from the weather when going to your vehicle

Attached Garages

Most modern homes feature built-on garages. There are many advantages to building your home. The obvious benefit is protection from the weather. Lake-effect weather often leads to many mornings of frost, ice, and snow. Not having to scrape and brush all of it off in the morning is very appealing.

An attached garage also offers the added convenience of easy access to the items you may store in it. If you are using your garage as the primary spot you store your tools, having them easy to grab is very appealing and useful.

If you are a fan of entertaining friends and family, the garage offers an additional space that can be great to host parties, games, and cookouts. Though you could use a detached garage for this use as well, having access to the main home is more convenient.

Some disadvantages of an attached garage include:

  • Less space to build
  • Emissions from the car can leak into the house
  • Easier access to the home in event of a break-in

Call Our Downer’s Grove Builders Today!

If you are unsure of which garage would best suit your needs, reach out to our DuPage County garage renovation experts. Call 630-852-8485 today!

Tips on Insulating Your Chicago Area Garage

/in /by

Cold weather has rolled into the Chicagoland area, and though you may be warm in your home, there is likely one area in your home that is having to deal with the elements more than the rest. If you are among the majority of homeowners, your garage is equipped with little or no insulation. Despite this being the norm for most homes, it is not ideal. Insulation in the garage is highly beneficial to the structure and you as the owner. Luckily, Blue Sky Builders, Inc. has you covered when it comes to tips on insulating your garage.

Why Insulate at All?

You may be asking yourself, “is it even necessary to insulate my garage?” The answer is undoubtedly –– yes. Not only does insulation allow the space to become more accessible and comfortable during the winter season, but it also improves the safety of your home. Installing an appropriate “fire-rated” insulation to the structure gives you another layer of protection should a fire start.

Before you Begin

Determine if you are doing the job yourself. If you are, make sure you have the appropriate materials and tools. These can include insulation, foam to fill gaps, drywall, screws, and a screwdriver. Do not forget to wear gloves and long sleeves when handling the insulation as it can irritate the skin.

Choose your Insulation Type

There are multiple types of insulation you can pick from depending on your budget or needs. The most common options include:

  • Fiberglass: most affordable and easy to work with
  • Foam: may not be regulation depending on building codes
  • Blown: In-typically done by a professional and is more expensive, but effective

No matter which type of insulation you choose, you must also pay attention to an “R-Value”. This refers to the efficiency of the insulation. A higher R-Value will often be more expensive but will give you better performance and climate control in the end.

Things to Keep in Mind

If you are installing the insulation yourself, take the time to do the process methodically to ensure it is done correctly. Starting by moving everything away from the walls and work in sections –– this may prove helpful. Begin at the smaller corners and go back over the larger spots. If you are using fiberglass, cut it to size and stuff it between your rafters. Should the cuts be too small, you can nail in the pieces or staple them to keep them in place.

At this point, you would look for any smaller spots you may have missed or could not fill. You can fill these in with the foam. Don’t forget to insulate the ceiling and the door. The garage door might need to be adjusted if too much weight has been added in the process. Another option is replacing your door with one that has already been insulated.

Keep Warm With Your Downers Grove Custom Builders!

Insulating your garage does not have to be a daunting task; once it is done, you can reclaim your space during cold weather. If you are considering insulating your garage, reach out to ourDuPage Country garage renovation experts. Make a call to Blue Sky Builders, Inc. at 630-852-8485 today!

Fun Holiday Decoration Ideas for Your Garage

/in /by

Even though the holiday season appears to start earlier and earlier every year, the coldest day of the year seems to be the day you decide to put up holiday decorations. At the end of the process, it can feel quite rewarding to stand back and admire the miniature winter wonderland you create. There are no limits to how you can decorate your home, but what are some clever ideas for incorporating your garage into the design? Here are just a few options for decorating your garage this holiday season.

The Garage Door

There are several options for the garage door when it comes to unique holiday designs. Think of it as a canvas for you to personalize. Though your garage door type may influence what you wind up displaying, most of these options will work with any door.

Projector – Projectors have become more common over the past few years. Classic white garage doors are very useful for projecting patterns. They are resistant to harsh temperatures and water. Many have winter-appropriate patterns such as snowflakes or stars that can really complement a light display. A projector can usually cover a lot of space as well.

Another added benefit of the projectors is easy installation as opposed to some other options. With the projector, there is nothing to hang or attach. As long as your front lawn goes far enough out, a projector should be fairly simple to set up.

Stickers and Wraps – Another option for the garage is adding stickers or a large wrap on the door. Stickers are typically easy to apply onto the walls or the door but are only good for single use. A wrap, however, could be a little more difficult to put up but can be used for multiple years.

There are plenty of options for stickers and wraps and you can even make your garage door look like a present, a Christmas card, or attach letters to give a season’s greeting to the neighborhood.

Keep it Simple

Of course, there are more traditional routes you can take with decorating the garage. Hanging some lights from the gutters or the roof line is always a popular idea. If there is room above the garage, a wreath or a seasonal plant can be a nice touch.

Using the shape of the garage as a guideline to hang garland or lights from can also be a nice way to accent the garage itself.

Contact Your DuPage County Garage Experts

The possibilities are limitless when it comes to decorating for the holidays. For all your garage tips and tricks, reach out to ourDowners Grove garage renovation specialists at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. Call 630-852-8485 today!

Follow a manual added link

Follow a manual added link

PROUD SPONSOR
OF THE DOWNERS GROVE

PANTHER FOOTBALL
& CHEER

424 Ogden Ave
Downers Grove, IL 60515

View Map

Call 630-852-8485 for a Free Estimate

Located in Downers Grove, the skilled garage building professionals at Blue Sky Builders, Inc. work with clients throughout the Chicago suburbs, including Aurora, Batavia, Berwyn, Brookfield, Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Elmhurst, Elmwood Park, Evanston, Forest Park, Glen Ellyn, Hinsdale, La Grange, Lockport, Lombard, North Riverside, Oak Park, River Forest, Riverside, Schiller Park, Villa Park, Western Springs, Westmont, Wheaton, and Woodridge.

Services listed are not a guarantee or indication of future work.