By Christine Miller Blue Sky Builders • Custom Garage • Garage Renovation • Tips and Tricks • • • • • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

Tips for Turning Your Garage into a Guest House

Blue Sky Builders garage guest roomNow that COVID-19 vaccines are being distributed across the nation, more and more people are eager to travel and visit their loved ones. Whether you have relatives or friends planning to stay at your house, you may wish you had more room for overnight guests. If you are short on bedroom space in your house or basement, another potential option worth considering is your garage. Regardless of your budget for home improvements such as this, with the help of a dedicated garage builder, you can find the right fit for you and your family. Read more

By Christine Miller Blue Sky Builders • Do It Yourself • Tips and Tricks • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

Great Ideas for Adding Beautiful Landscaping Around Your Garage

Blue Sky Builders garage landscapingNow 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. Read more

By Christine Miller Blue Sky Builders • Garage Maintenance • Tips and Tricks • • • • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

Top Tips for Spring Cleaning Your Garage

Blue Sky Builders garage cleaning and reorganizationWith warmer weather here, many people are looking forward to getting outside for exercise or house projects that they may have put off during the winter. There is no time like the present to take on a task such as cleaning out your garage space. Although garages are one of the most frequently used spaces in a home, they can also be the most cluttered. According to the National Association of Professional Organizers, 50 percent of homeowners stated that their garage was their home’s most unorganized area. Below are some tips for clearing out your garage to create a more functional space for however you want to use it.   Read more

By Christine Miller Blue Sky Builders • Building Tips • Garage Renovation • • • • • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

What Type of Flooring Is the Best to Use for My Garage?

Blue Sky Builders garage flooringWhen 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.   Read more

By Christine Miller Blue Sky Builders • Building Tips • Construction • Garage Renovation • • • • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

Adding a Porch or Patio on to Your Garage

Blue Sky Builders garage patio or porchPerhaps thoughts of Southern homes with white columns come to mind when you think of porches. A porch can make just about any structure look better, whether it is a house, a garage, or even a shed. When attached as part of the garage, a screened-in porch allows homeowners to enjoy the outdoors in the spring, summer, or fall in Illinois while avoiding bugs. Patios have also become popular this past year, especially with many people entertaining family and neighbors outside due to COVID-19 restrictions. With a portable or built-in firepit, a patio adjacent to your garage can be the perfect place to relax and unwind after a long workday or on the weekends.  Read more

By Christine Miller Blue Sky Builders • Custom Garage • Garage Remodeling • Garages • • • • • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

How to Turn Your Garage into a Gaming Hideaway This Winter

Blue Sky Builders garage renovation video gamingGarages 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.  Read more

By Christine Miller Garage Maintenance • Garage Roofing • Tips and Tricks • • • • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

Tips for Removing Snow and Ice From Your Garage Roof

Blue Sky Builders garage roof snow damage preventionThose who grew up in Illinois or the Midwest are accustomed to winter weather and all of the snow and ice it can bring during this time of year. Frigid temperatures can cause a variety of problems, such as burst pipes in homes, office buildings, or warehouses. Whether you are a homeowner or another type of property owner, trying to mitigate the negative impact of Mother Nature can be challenging. Proper drainage can limit the chance of any damage, but it is also important to remove snow and ice from your house or garage roof before it becomes a problem. In some cases, water damage can result in expensive repairs, such as replacing a ceiling or drywall or even a vehicle that was in the garage.  Read more

By Christine Miller Blue Sky Builders • Custom Garages • Garages • Tips and Tricks • • • • • • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

Making the Most of Overhead Storage in Your Garage

Blue Sky Builders garage overhead storageStorage 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. Read more

By Christine Miller Blue Sky Builders • Building Tips • Custom Garages • Garage Renovation • • • • • • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

Options for Adding a Breezeway to Your Detached Garage

Blue Sky Builders garage breezeway constructionMany older homes have “detached” garages, which means they are separate structures from the main house. Newer, more modern residential architecture typically has the garage “attached” to the house. This makes it convenient for homeowners to exit their vehicles and enter their mud room, entryway, or kitchen without having to go outside. Illinois residents may particularly like this option, since it means that they do not have to brave the elements, especially during inclement weather or when it is dark. A connected breezeway that goes between your home and garage provides a covered space to improve traffic flow into your home. As with any type of house renovation or addition, you will want to be sure to explore your options and consider your needs, as well as how these changes will complement your existing garage and house.   Read more

By Christine Miller Blue Sky Builders • Custom Garages • Garage Renovation • • • • • • • • • • 0 Comments

How to Renovate Your Garage to Include a Wine Cellar

Blue Sky Builders garage wine cellar renovationsAfter the challenges of 2020, everyone is hoping for a return to some sort of normalcy in 2021. However, with COVID-19 vaccines just starting to be administered, it may be months before the country is opened up again. In Illinois, many restaurants are still closed, or if they are open, they are operating at reduced occupancy. In response to these restrictions and social distancing guidelines, a lot of people have spent more time at home than ever before. This may include entertaining at home, either outside in their yard, on their patio, deck, or even in the garage. Wine lovers may want to consider utilizing their garage space by converting part of it into a wine cellar.  Read more