Give Your Garage An Upgrade
Your garage may very well be one of the biggest rooms in your house. The potential increase it can bring to your living space is huge and shouldn’t be avoided! With a few upgrades and repairs, your garage can be a great way to enjoy a summer evening in Elk Grove, California, or watch the spectacular rainstorms in the winter. A garage can make a fine man cave, entertainment space, yoga studio, gym, or even a work from home office. All it takes is a few home renovations, repairs, and upgrades to make a comfortable and relaxed living space. Here’s how to spruce your garage and make it a versatile space that does more than just house your car.
Cart It Off
First, take an inventory. Decide what stays and what goes. Clear out boxes of clothes, broken down computer parts, old broken tools you’ll never fix. If you haven’t used it in the last year, put it on the curb or donate it to Goodwill. Take note of all the potential fire hazards you’ve got lying around as well. Is there any gas, oil, paint lying around that needs to be disposed of? Now’s the time to take away these flammables.
Clean House
Next, clean the place from top to bottom. Take a push broom and sweep away debris, or better yet use a Shopvac. Remove all the dust and cobwebs. Scrub down your windows. Soak up the oil stains. Clean the garage until it shines.
Will you still be using your garage to occasionally store your car? How often will you be using your garage door, especially on hot summer nights? If you’re going to clean the garage, you should spend some time clearing your garage door tracks of any debris that could potentially be lodged. Small maintenance tips like this can increase the lifespan of your garage door, and in turn, preserve the sanctity of your new space. After all, it is a door and should be treated like one.
Hatch a Game Plan
Sit down and decide what you want out of a garage. Will you need new flooring like vinyl tiles or carpeting? Should you put up new wall panels to give the garage a more relaxed feel? How will you wire the garage for your stereo, TV, or other entertainment equipment? What furniture do you want to bring in? What sort of wall decorations should you include? What is the look and vibe you are going for?
Before you make any major changes, especially in the electrical department, make it a point to speak to an expert about any potential installations you might need and changes that will have to be made.
What’s the plan for the overhead door? Will it be open most of the time you’re lounging in the garage? How will that interfere with your plans? Leaving your garage door open for an extended period of time can bring in rodents to take up shop in your house or pose potential security and safety risks. If the plan is to keep the garage door open for a healthy amount of time, it might be time to get some door repairs or upgrades done to make sure your door is in tip-top shape. The last thing you want is the door to come crashing down. Pay particular attention to the springs of the garage door and ask an overhead expert to install an extra pair so it can be more secure.
Consider An Insulated And Safe Door
Now, if the door is going to stay closed and you plan on turning your garage into a relaxed living space, go the extra mile and make it comfortable. Consider investing in a new insulated garage door. This way, your garage will feel just as warm as the rest of the house and it won’t cost you a fortune in heating bills.
Most steel doors have an R-factor of 10 — the measurement of the quality of insulation. It’s a good idea to have an R-Factor of at least 12 to 14, depending on the coldness of your climate and the type of heat you’ll have.
Share your new plans with a garage door expert and see what ideas and options they can provide. If the garage is going to be a place you spend tons of time going forward, it would be wise to make the door as secure as your front door. Modern homes are outfitted with smart doorbells, sensors, and cameras that can spot intruders. Your garage is another entryway to your home and is also now your sick pad, so you should invest in a door that emphasizes security.
As our lives evolve, so do the needs of our garage! Take some time and enjoy the planning process and be wise in the choices you make. If you’re concerned about any upgrades or repairs, speak with licensed and insured professionals who can help you out with any issues!