Adequately preparing a house and its garage for colder temperatures is a critical responsibility that homeowners in the Midwest face every year. While it may seem like a burdensome and inconvenient task, preparing a garage for the winter months is crucial for a garage’s optimal use and functionality through those months.
As the weather starts to get colder and colder in the Chicago area, homeowners are beginning to pack up their summertime equipment. Lawn and gardening appliances are swapping places with shovels, salt, and snow blowers. As you are moving these items around, you may notice that your garage is in need of proper tool storage. Before attempting to cram items unsafely into the space you have or allowing frustration to set in, you may want to consult a garage building professional to determine whether you can add some new storage solutions. A garage renovation may allow you safely store tools and appliances and make the best use of your space.
Since tools can be rather expensive, you will want to take extra precautions to ensure that they will last a long time. To avoid external damage, tool racks and wall brackets can be installed. Bigger items such as shovels, weed whackers, chain saws, and lawnmowers can hang from the rafters or be placed on the walls. In addition, smaller tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, and wrenches can be organized on a mounted tool wall.
Considering the bitter cold that comes with an Illinois winter, your garage’s temperature may need to be addressed. Wet weather and poor air conditions can cause damage to power tools and lead to rust forming on metal appliances. Although a portable heating device can be purchased, it is not safe to leave one constantly running in your garage. Adding insulation to your garage walls, door, and ceiling can help maintain the proper temperature.
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Elements such as wind, ice, snow, sleet, and hail can make wintertime in the Midwest a frightful thing to experience. Although garages are exposed to the weather year-round, these structures often do not receive the same amount of maintenance and care that a house would get. Due to the frigid temperatures that occur during the winter months, garages may often be covered in snow or ice. In an effort to avoid any injuries or property damage, a garage renovation project may be needed. Discussing your thoughts and concerns with a knowledgeable garage improvement expert can save you a great deal of time, effort, and money in this type of project.
During the winter, it is common for snow and ice to build up on garage roofs. Massive amounts of snow can sit atop a garage, leading to leakage, holes, or even cave-ins. Although it may seem that a little snow on a garage roof can provide an extra layer of insulation, allowing snow to pile up is not recommended due to the possible harm that can result. If the snow begins to melt, extensive water damage may result. Furthermore, snow that turns into ice can lead to icicles and additional safety hazards.
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As wintertime weather begins to approach the Chicagoland area, homeowners may be looking for ways to keep their garages warm. Options such as insulation and portable space heaters are relatively simple solutions that can help at times; however, they might not be the most ideal solution. If you plan on using your garage throughout these cold months, installing a radiant heating system may be your best option. Before rushing into a major garage renovation project, you should consult an experienced garage professional.
Unlike a space heater, a radiant heating system will supply heat to wherever the system is installed. For example, if the system is installed under the floor, heat will be transferred throughout the entire ground. The heat will be evenly delivered throughout the area of installation. Simply put, radiant heating involves the installation of a heat source behind or underneath a surface.
Radiant floor heating can provide a more balanced temperature level throughout your entire garage. Relying on convection, heat will rise from your floor and distribute evenly. If you choose to move forward with a radiant heat floor system, you will have two different options to choose from:
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If you are looking to improve or redevelop your garage, it is important to consider what time of year the project should begin. Although winter may seem like a less than ideal time to start a garage makeover, completing renovations during the colder season will ensure that the finished product will be ready when the warmer months roll around. If you want to enjoy your garage when the weather is nice, a winter remodel may be ideal for you. Before jumping into a garage renovation, it is important to discuss your wants and needs with an experienced garage building expert.
Depending on what type of remodel you are looking to do, the colder temperature of wintertime can make construction easier. If the ground is frozen, and the air is dry, it will be more ideal to dig a foundation. In addition, it is practical to avoid a muddy ground if you are pouring concrete. One final thought to consider if you start a project in the winter months is that you can avoid the unpredictable weather of the spring and summer months.
Garages are often used more frequently in the spring and summer than during the months of November through February. When the weather gets frightful, many people like to stay inside their home rather than utilize tools or other equipment that may be stored in a garage. If your renovation project is completed out of season, your garage can be the ideal summertime location for:
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The summer of 2019 is coming to a close. The kids are going back to school, most people have finished their summer vacations, and the days are slowly but surely getting shorter. Winter is just around the corner. During the summer, the garage door is the most used entrance to your home, but with the coming of fall, its use may significantly decline. Likewise, the shift in seasons brings new challenges for the maintenance of your garage, and you will want to be sure that you are prepared as the temperatures continue to drop. While it is still lovely outside, you should get started by following these simple steps to prepare your garage and garage door for winter:
Ah, the joys of winter in northern Illinois! The garage floor is filthy, but it is too freezing cold to hose it down. Even worse, slippery spots can form on the floor, posing a risk of a slip-and-fall. The last thing you need during a Chicago winter is to be hobbling around on crutches. So what can you do? Here are three recommended hacks for keeping that garage floor a little cleaner and safer: Read more
The Chicago area often gets a few days with 35- to 40-degree temperatures in December, giving homeowners a last chance to complete some lingering outdoor maintenance chores. Here are a few suggestions for garage maintenance on one of those days: Read more
As we near the end of summer, it is the perfect time to begin considering winter preparations. Some animals look for places to hibernate in the winter, especially in climates that drop to freezing temperatures. Other critters are simply looking for a respite from the cold, as well as a constant food supply. A garage can be an enticing option that offers animals shelter from the elements and potential dangers, and occasionally food and water sources as well. Snakes, raccoons, squirrels, and other unwelcome wildlife may find their way into your garage if you are unprepared, potentially having a negative effect on the investment you have made in your home. Read more
During the winter in the Chicago area and DuPage County, we often experience unexpected changes in the weather. Sudden snowfall can be difficult to deal with, so it is always a good idea to make sure that your snow removal equipment is easily accessible and ready to use. Here are some tips for organizing and maintaining your snow removal equipment in your garage: Read more