Energy Saving Tips for the Garage
Is it time to upgrade your old window panels in your garage door? With new inserts you’ll save money on energy costs after replacing the old rattlers. While you’re at it, take a good look at the garage threshold – what does it look like? A gap beneath your garage door acts as a wind tunnel for drafts.
Insulate Your Garage
Wasted energy is the same as wasted money. If your energy is flowing freely out your garage door because of older or poorly glazed garage door window inserts, replace them. There are two main components to replacing garage door window inserts which are the viewing panes and the molded frame in which they fit. Both can be purchased in high energy efficiency materials (such as double-paned glass, reflective plastics, etc.). Some energy efficient ports also provide privacy – they may be semi-opaque or completely reflective.
Seal Properly
The molding seals the window against the elements. This part of the unit should not be scrimped upon –a cheap molding is almost guaranteed to not seal tightly, causing air leaks and defeating the whole purpose of getting new inserts. The moldings, if properly installed, will make a tight seal in the opening in which they sit; there should be no energy loss through properly installed window inserts.
Don’t Forget The Bottom Of The Door
The door itself can be insulated on its interior with any of several types of garage door insulation kits. But a simple and inexpensive weatherproofing idea involves the garage threshold. A simple visual inspection can do wonders. Most garage doors have a heavy gauge rubber boot that the door rests on when it is closed. The boot is a strip attached to the door. If this rubber seal has any tears in it or worn places that allow drafts to come into the garage’s interior, it should be replaced. Not only is a garage door bottom seal replacement an easy job, but it will save precious dollars in energy costs.
Store More Things In Your Garage By Installing Garage Shelving
When it comes to remodeling your garage there will be some tough choices to make. The first thing you will need to decide is what you are going to keep and what you will be throwing out, then you need to think about the storage you are going to use in the garage. The whole idea behind remodeling a garage is to make the space a lot more usable, and even liveable. So this means organising the place, getting all of the boxes and junk up off of the floor. If your family is like others in the country your garage will have turned into a catch all for anything that isn’t currently needed. This will include old toys, tools, out of season clothes and loads of other items. No doubt there will be thousands of garages around the country that have got an old Betamax player in them.
If you have got a large garage and have a lot of stuff lying around it it might be a good idea to use both garage cabinets and garage shelving. High shelves around the side of the garage could be used for paints or other chemicals that need to be kept away from young children or pets. Finding a set of shelves that meet your needs won’t be too hard as there are loads of different ranges for you to choose from. Then a set of garage cabinets along the rear wall will help sort out all of the other things you want to keep, if you are a keen DIYer then cabinets with a counter top will be ideal for you.
The best idea would be use the shelving for lighter items, or items that have odd shapes and use the cabinets for heavier, more bulky items. If you will only be keeping light items on the shelves then you could even consider using some cheaper, plastic shelves and saving yourself a bit of money, just don’t put anything too heavy on them though, because they really can’t take a lot of weight.
Garage Storage or Renting Storage Space
Many people have the idea that they want to get organized in the garage but many just don’t have the willpower or the time they want to commit over the weekend to try and get organized. Just trying to get the space cleaned out can take several hours on a Saturday afternoon or depending on how long you have allowed the mess to accumulate, it is possible that clean up could take an entire weekend.
That leaves some people running to their phone book and calling up the local storage facility to store their items instead of using their garage for storage. There are several reasons though that you are better off getting your own garage storage units in place instead of opting for a local storage facility. Here is a look at some of the reasons.
Cost – the amount that you are going to have to put down for a deposit, plus the monthly fees that you need to pay are what you could have used to buy brand new garage cabinets or a garage shelving system. Depending on how much you were going to spend for the units, the break even point would come somewhere around the 8th to 15th month, after that point you are just wasting money.
Convenience – it is very convenient when you need an item to head out to the garage, grab it and then you are back inside the house. If your items are at a storage facility, you are going to waste time going there and back, plus you are wasting gas in your car. You also need to consider that some facilities have limited hours and you may not be able to access the item that you need.
Value – with the current state of the housing market what it is, every inch of your house needs to be kept up and maintained in order to help it sell. Having a nicely organized garage with storage units in place could be the difference between your house getting sold or sitting on the market an extra six months.
Some Considerations before Installing a Garage Ceiling Storage
When you own a vehicle, it is a must to have a garage that you can use as a parking area for it. But sometimes, this just doesn’t happen. Many unused or occasionally used items such as broken toys, decorations and carpentry tools lie around and take up all the valuable space that was intended for your car. Looking up, you notice your ceiling and a concept forms in your head. You think of building a garage ceiling storage. This seems to be the wise thing to do, right? However, it is not possible for some cases. There are a number of things that you have to consider before installing one.
One major factor that you have to take into account is the age of your garage. If the garage has been existent for several years already, then think twice before installing a garage ceiling storage unit. An extra amount of weight or strain put upon the joists or beams of your roof may not be tolerable anymore and may even cause them to collapse. Another aspect is the vertical clearance of your garage. It is safe to install a storage unit if the height of your roof is at seven to eight feet. When the number falls below that, taller persons might accidentally bump their heads on your ceiling storage and gain injuries. When these happen, you may feel bad because the idea caused considerable amounts of damage instead of an additional storage space.
These are just a few points that you should consider before making a garage ceiling storage system. There are a lot of other things to ponder upon and these are just the basics. Just remember that it will be a big waste of time, effort and money creating that storage space and learning in the end that you cannot benefit from it.
A couple of Methods By Which To Attempt Garage Roofing
If I was going to do some garage roofing, I would probably try to do it myself. If everything went wrong, and the roof was ruined – well, a garage is still just a garage. Mind you; under no circumstances would I attempt a job like this, if I didn’t feel capable at all. This is an important lesson, and really what should help you decide whether or not to go diy. If you know you have some skills, and you know there are friends and family who can and will help you, then you probably stand a good chance of success. Arrange a dinner where you invite your roofing pals over, and talk it through. Get everyone’s input on what the situation is, what needs to be done – and how. If they tell you it is unrealistic, it may be a good thing to listen to it. If they all give you a go, then go! A garage roof is often a simple construction using cheap roofing materials, so it is definitely possible for laymen to be successful. Just be sure you have thought it through first, including assessing your roofing skills first.
If you decide not to do it for some reason, well, then it is time to get some roof quotes. What I would do, is first ask all those friends of mine if they can recommend anyone. Then call who ever they recommend – and a few other companies – and get quotes from all of them. It is always good to be able to compare offers – to see what they want to charge you , but also to meet the roofers and try to figure out if they seem like people you can trust with your garage roofing job. Most roofers are respectable people, but some don’t seem to take their careers – or your roof – seriously. They will postpone things, make mistakes and do sloppy work. Often, the communication will also be miserable – which is almost the worst part. By meeting people beforehand, you will at least get to use your gut feeling to weed out the worst of them.
Cutting Corrugated Plastic Roofing
Corrugated plastic roofing includes many sheets of polycarbonate plastic with wavy ridges inside them. This is to permit water runoff after they are installed. They are long lasting choices for roofing storage sheds, outhouses, and car ports. Also, they are available in a number of colors from transparent to green. A few corrugated plastic roofing possess fiberglass posts inside it. This enhances the sturdiness and power. The heavier pieces needs a power saw even though thin sheets of corrugated roof plastic may be cut using a utility knife. Here are some ways on how to cut corrugated plastic roofing:
• Place the plastic roofing sheet on a smooth work surface with the wavy ridges aiming in your direction.
• Calculate the corrugated plastic to the appropriate size with a measuring tape and sketch a line across the plastic using a pen or a pencil.
• Slip the corrugated plastic sheet thus the section you have to cut dangles from the work desk. Secure the sides of the plastic sheet to the work desk utilizing table clamps to protect it.
• Place on safety glasses to safeguard your eyes from hovering shards. It is also wise to wear gloves and a dust mask when the corrugated plastic is made up of fiberglass inside it.
• Install the tiniest toothed blade you will discover in a portable power saw or a table saw.
• Switch the saw on and place the blade by the end of a single of the pencil marks. Shift the blade gradually however securely across the corrugated plastic till it is totally cut.
• Switch off the saw and unclamp the corrugated plastic from the table.
• Pull the blade of the utility knife across the cut side of the plastic panel. This is to get rid of the bur and melted supply from the panel’s side.
Things about Designing a Garage
Nowadays, a garage is a place which does not only serve as a parking space for your car, your boat, your motorcycle or any of your vehicles. It can now also serve as a workshop wherein you can make projects for yourself, or for your children. It can also act as a hangout for your family and friends. You could even modify it so that it will look and feel like its new again. You could try adding in a few entertainment facilities that would certainly liven up the place. Or you could convert the extra space into storage areas. You could purchase storage units such as cabinets, drawers or shelves and use them to keep your seldom used household items and garden tools that you do not want scattered about.
Building a garage is simple enough, but before you proceed to constructing one, you should acquire the necessary building permits first. If you do not attend to this beforehand, you might get delayed in your project thus ruining your plan and schedule. You should also make yourself familiar with the standard building regulations and the required fire codes of your area. This is a necessary step for you to be sure that the space you are adding to your home would be hazard-free to those who would be using it.
After you have done the above steps, you should then prepare the needed plans. Garage designs are available in some handyman stores and even in the internet. You could also design one yourself, but make sure that you have it checked by a professional so that you would be reminded if adjustments and modifications are still needed. Garage roof designs are also available fromvarious sources. Again, you could come up with your very own garage roof designs, but just like with aforementioned designs,they must be checked by an expert.
You could build your garage well on your own, but after the construction, have it checked for safety reasons.
Metal Carport Kits Are an Effective and Affordable Garage Alternative
Here is a true metal carport story that should make sense to many readers. Recently, a close friend of mine bought an expensive vehicle and upon bringing his dream car home he realized that without a garage he would have no way to protect his new car from outdoor conditions. After seeking advice from his family and friends, he then began to see how useful and effective carports can be when it comes to protecting the interior and exterior finishes of his new vehicle. Carports had never been something he would have considered but after spending so much of his savings on a new sports car, suddenly carports became a very good option instead of leaving his car parked out in the open and completely exposed to the weather conditions.
Metal carports are really an excellent option for car owners because they are simple and easy to install and very reasonably priced as well. Most importantly, carports are very good at sheltering a vehicle from different climate conditions such as rain, hail, snow, ice and especially the sun. Most prefabricated metal carport kits are almost fully assembled hence all you have to do is to connect the large pieces together. When the pieces are already assembled, they must be bolted together to create the shelter’s vital support. Most carport kits are open on all sides but if you have a little extra money leftover, you should definitely consider a fully enclosed model. Fully enclosed kits are a bit more complicated to install but once installed, they provide your vehicle with shelter and security that is comparable with a traditional garage.
Metal carport kits are very popular for a reason. Consumers of today are in search of accessibility and convenience when they are shopping for products. There are many prefabricated shelter kits for sale at local stores and also via the internet. Most companies that sell online offer deliver to all parts of the United States so you can even look at a long distance company to find what you need. When you do shopping via the Internet, you can always search for companies that offer delivery, assembly, and installation with their products. Some companies have already incorporated the charge with the prices of their products while others charge an extra fee for the labor.
Buying a Garage Storage Unit
Traditionally, a garage is used to keep your car, your boat, your van or any of your vehicles sheltered from the sun or the rain. Over the years though, it has been used for other functions. Some families have converted the extra space left in their garage to a hang out place. They have redecorated the extra room so that it would be appealing to both family and friends. Others have reconstructed the space not occupied by their vehicles so that they can serve as workshops. This is great for fathers and sons since they would have their very own spot where they can do some projects. These projects can be for home or school purposes. There are others though who convert the remaining room in their garage into storage areas. Here they keep the household items that get seldom used like garden tools and work tools.
If you are opting to change your garage into a storage area, you should think about what type of storage units you should be using. In determining the type, think about what kind of items should be going inside each cabinet or drawer, or on top of each shelf. For example, among the types of storage cabinets metal ones are the types that are used for keeping sharp and dangerous objects. You could also buy metal cabinets that have locks, which can assure you that nobody especially the kids can tamper with its contents. But, among the available storage cabinets metal ones are also the types which are expensive. That is why when you are out to buy your storage units, its good to have an idea of their prices beforehand. This would be helpful especially if you are on a tight budget. You could search the internet for information on different storage units or you could visit the handyman store in your locality and inquire about the said items there.
Ladies, Leave The Garage To Us Men
If there is one room in the house that men are allowed to do with as they please it is the garage. The garage is hot, cold, dirty, wet, and all sorts of things that most women and wives want no part of so they leave it to the men.
Unfortunately, most guys let the extra space in the garage go to waste. There are lots of great garage ideas that could be put to use to give guys more room to do what they love to do. For instance, I have a tandem garage and in the space where the third car would be I have a ping pong table. Do you think my wife cares? Nope. She wouldn’t let the ping pong table in the house but in the garage she doesn’t care.
Lots of guys love tools and they use their garages as a storage place for them. Any extra room there could be turned into a small workshop where the dirt can fly and things can be made without any scrutiny from the fairer sex. Yes, the garage can be anything a guy wants it to be.
If you have the money you can use your garage as a game room. Have you always wanted a real pinball machine or some other arcade machine? In the house there probably isn’t any room for it and it wouldn’t look right anyway. But in the garage, it would look great and fit right in. There are guys that install big screen televisions, bars, couches, and the whole works right in the garage. Leave the rest of the house to the more sophisticated crowd: all they want is the garage!
Whatever garage ideas you have or may want to pursue, you may have to deal with heating and cooling issues in your garage. As the walls are usually not insulated, garages are exposed to the elements more than the rest of the house. But if you are really determined to turn that garage into your dream space, you will come up with the money to make it happen. And you will have tons of fun in your garage once it is completed.