Category: Garage Organization

5 ways to keep your garage warm

Image of wooden thermometer showing 30 degrees C
How do you keep your garage warm?

The summer may be a distant memory now as the days start getting shorter and colder, so if you’re going to be spending more time there, then you’ll want to know the best way to keep your garage warm.

If you’ve got plans for your garage this year, then you’re going to want to make sure that it’s warm enough for you to do what you want in it.

Here’s our guide to keeping your garage warm.

1. What will it be used for?

Knowing what you’ll be doing in your garage will help you to decide how warm your garage needs to be.

If you’re only going to use your garage for a few minutes whilst getting children or work samples in and out of the car, you won’t  need it to be as warm compared to if you plan on spending hours playing music or making something out of wood in your garage during the evening or all weekend.

2. Insulation

Spending the time to insulate your garage will be worth it if you’re going to spend a lot of time in there.

If you’re trying to get your old car back on the road, you don’t want to be undoing seized bolts lying in a draft. If you’ve turned your garage into a play room for your children, you’ll want to make sure it’s not cold.

3. Better fitting doors and windows

Better fitting doors and windows can eliminate drafts, and provide more warmth without you needing to invest in a heater.

Perhaps you can already feel a draft or can see gaps that shouldn’t be there.

It’s worth getting your garage door and windows looked at to make sure that they are doing their jobs properly, or how they can be improved.

4. Efficiency

You’ll need to make sure that you stop cold air getting in and warm air escaping. You can do this by fitting weather strips around your garage doors and checking other areas for leaks.

This will ensure that you’re not paying for heating that doesn’t even stay in your garage.

Depending on the size of your garage, and what you’ll be doing in there and for how long, you might want to organize or divide your garage differently so that you don’t need to heat the whole garage if you’re only going to be working at a small workbench.

5. Heating

Once you’ve eliminated drafts and got your windows and doors sorted out, and repaired if necessary, you can then decide how you’re going to heat your garage.

If you’re going to be spending a lot of time in there, then you’ll want a cost effective way of heating your garage, perhaps so that your band can practice for hours at a time, you can make things out of wood, or finally get your car back on the road.

This could be several portable heaters or it could be a dedicated heating system.

If you’re only going to be spending a few minutes at a time in there, then portable heaters might be just what you need.

Conclusion

The best way to keep your garage warm will ultimately depend on what you’re going to be doing in there, and for how long at a time.

Even if you’re going to be spending hours at a time there, it needn’t be expensive to keep your garage warm and cosy.

If you need help or advice on your garage door, whether it’s to do with energy efficiency, or it needs putting back on track, Contact Us today at 651-702-1420 and tell us how we can help you.

5 Ways To Maximize Your Garage Space

Image or tidy garage with cables, lawnmowers and other items tidily stored
Using ceiling and wall storage can help you maximize your garage space

If you’re keen to maximize your garage space, but don’t know where to start when it comes to tidying up and organizing, then here’s what we suggest.

1. Ceiling Storage

Ceiling storage is a great way to keep the things you don’t need often, or seasonal items out of the way.

Perhaps you’ll keep your bikes up there in the winter or snow clearing things up there in the summer. Why not see what else you can put in boxes on racks attached to the ceiling?

2. Wall storage

Wall storage can be used for everything from tools to ladders and sports equipment.

Pegboards are an extremely versatile way of storing and accessing your items. You can reconfigure them easily when you need to as well.

3. Floor storage

You can utilize a combination of open racks, containers and boxes, and even old wardrobes to organize your garage.

Open racks are a great idea for things that you’ll need often. In addition, you and your family will be keen to keep them tidy as they are in plain sight.

Containers and boxes can be used in conjunction with racking systems to keep smaller items organized. If you need to keep winter clothes or skiwear in the garage, why not use simple low cost wardrobes?

4. Separate your garage into zones

Why not get even more organized and separate your garage into zones? You and your family know exactly where everything is all the time.

You could keep the kids’ things well away from your tools, or keep the car well away from the bikes to avoid damage.

5. Half and half

If your garage is big enough, why not use half of it for your car and the other half for something else?

Perhaps you’ve always wanted a home theater, gym, a playroom for the kids, as well as a car workshop.

Well now you can.

Conclusion

When you’ve got your garaged organized and working for you, you’ll want to make sure that your garage door works properly.

Why not get your garage door serviced by the professionals?

Call 651-702-1240 today and tell us how we can help you?

10 Cool Uses For Your Garage

Image of a well stocked bar with drinks on shelves
Having your own bar is just one of the cool uses for your garage

We talked about practical garage uses, but what if you’re not the outdoors-y type with a garage full of boats, camping equipment and bikes, and you don’t need somewhere to make things out of metal or wood?

Perhaps you’re looking for cool uses for your garage instead.

Here’s our suggestions.

1. Bar

Why not turn your garage into a bar? It’ll be like going out, but without the expense.
You can decorate your garage how you like, whether you  prefer a traditional local bar, something more modern and minimal or just want somewhere to go when you invite friends over for a drink.

2. Bedroom

Adding another bedroom to your home can mean you don’t need to move house.
Perhaps you have a new baby on the way, or need to look after an elderly or infirm relative.
Why not put your garage to good use instead?

3. Casino

Rather indulgent, like the bar, but if you’re looking for a bit of excitement without losing your shirt, why not turn your garage into a casino?
From just a few packs of cards to bringing Las Vegas to your home, you could turn your garage into somewhere everyone wants to be.

4. Family room

Why not turn your garage into a more laid back or even a smart front room?
Your family room can be as formal or informal as you like, and doesn’t need to be in keeping with the rest of your home décor, so why not make the most of it?

5. Games room

Whether you enjoy first person shooters, adventure games or sports games, you can turn your garage into an impressive gaming room with just a few TVs, games consoles and couches.

6. Guest room

If you have relatives you’d like to see more often, why not turn your garage into a guest room so that they can stay over?

7. Hang out spot

Why not give your children their own independence and space by turning your garage into a place they want to be?
Instead of moaning that there’s nothing to do, and nowhere to go, their friends will be queuing up to come round.

8. Home gym

If you’re the sporty type who lacks the time or motivation to go to the gym, why not bring the gym to you?
With some well chosen exercise equipment, you can get the workout you need without leaving your garage?

9. Home theater

If you like your movies but can’t afford to go as often as you’d like, why not bring the movie theater home instead?
Whether you spend your evenings and weekends in your garage watching the latest Hollywood blockbusters, or simply send the kids to watch their favorite DVDs, you’ll save a fortune on tickets and popcorn.

10. Man cave

Why not combine all of these uses by creating a man cave?
It’s the perfect place for your games console, gym equipment, huge TV, whiskey collection and sports memorabilia.

Conclusion

No matter what cool uses for your garage you choose, you’ll want to make sure that your garage door works properly, and that it is safe and secure.
Need help? Call 651-7021420 today and tell us how we can help you.

10 Practical Garage Uses

Image of a black ford mustang muscle car in a garage
There are many practical garage uses for you and your family,from cars to home cinema

If your garage is a mess, full of things you didn’t know you still had, and you’re always complaining about it, then perhaps now is the time to do something about it and think of all the practical garage uses.

Here are our top 10 practical uses for your garage

1. Car storage

It’s what garages were designed for, but they seem to attract all the other things that have nowhere to live in our homes.

Perhaps you’ll want to restore a classic, save on mechanics bills by working on your car yourself, or just be able to open the doors without knocking a bike over.

Why not clear your garage so that you have a place to store and work on your car if you need to.

2. Sporting equipment

Sporting equipment like bikes, weights benches and rowing machines, tend to be bulky, so you could make sure it has its own place in your garage.

Why not make your own gym at home and save on gym fees?

3. Work things / stock

If you’re a travelling salesperson who needs to store stock or samples in your garage, then why not make them easier to get to?

Perhaps you need certain equipment or tools for your job, and you can’t easily get to them because of the other clutter in your garage.

Why not make your time in your garage before work or after work easier?

4. Leisure equipment

We all have good intentions to spend our leisure time wisely, so whilst we though the boat, tennis rackets, and tents would be used often, the chances are they aren’t.

Why not make them easier to get to, so that you can play tennis, spend the weekend camping or go fishing when you want to.

5. Office space

If you’re able to work from home, then perhaps you’re always interrupted by the children, or distracted by having to do other jobs around the house.

Why not make your garage your office space, so you can feel like you’re at work without leaving your home.

6. Workshop

If you’re a practical person, then perhaps you enjoy making or fixing things. By making the space for the machines and tools you need you could perhaps turn your hobby into your job.

Why not see what you can make when you have everything you need where you need it?

7. Workspace

If you enjoy things like crafting, knitting or painting, you could dedicate your garage space to your hobby if you can’t spare the space in your home.

Why not spend more time doing your hobby, and less time looking for what you need?

8. Kids stuff

Perhaps your kids have a huge amount of toys and games, or always seem to be under your feet. Instead of getting annoyed with them, you could help them.

Why not see if they want to make more of the garage to give them a bit of freedom and independence too?

9. Band practice area

If you or your children play a musical instrument, then there might not be the chance, space or time to play often.

Why not set your garage up so that you or they can play more often?

10 Living space

If you’re short of space in your home, or want to give a teenager a bit of independence, or want somewhere to get away from everyone else, then you could convert your garage into living space.

Why not add another front room to your home without having to move?

Conclusion

There are lots of options for your garage, whether you want to play your guitar more often, or work on your classic car.

By investing a bit of time and maybe some money, you can make your garage work for you.

If you need help or advice on your garage door, whether it’s to do with energy efficiency, you want a new garage door opener or it needs servicing, why not call us at 651-702-1420 today.

10 Tips For Making More Of Your Garage

Image of bikes and a lawnmower in an untidy garage
Knowing what you’ve got can help you make more of your garage

We talked previously about how to keep your garage organized. But maybe you want to make more of your garage, or perhaps your needs have changed, or you might even have moved house.

Here’s our guide to making more of your garage

1. Take everything out

We’ve said it before, and it bears repeating, but you’ll need to take everything out of your garage first. This enables you to see what you’ve got, what you want to put in there, and how to make best use of your space.

2. Get rid of what you don’t need

As you already know, you should be ruthless when it comes to getting rid of what you don’t need.

Whilst it might be tempting to keep the bikes or power tools you only used once, perhaps you should get rid of them so that you can use the space for something you will use.

Why not have a garage sale, or put them up for sale on a site like eBay or Craigslist? You can then use the money you make to buy things you want.

Alternatively, you could donate your unwanted items to good causes.

3. Clean your garage

Once it’s completely empty, you can thoroughly clean your garage,.

Make sure that you clean everywhere. Even all all the little hard to reach places, the floor, walls and the  ceiling too. This way you’ll know that you’re starting afresh.

There won’t be any dirty patches or missed areas when you start to put things back in your garage either.

4. Maintenance issues

Now is also a good time to look at the doors, windows, electrics, heating and everything you need to make more of your garage.

Perhaps you’ll want to check your door locks are easy to operate, that your windows open and close properly. Also check that you have enough plug sockets, extension cables and lighting, as well as the other Top 8 Things a Garage Needs.

Remember to look at your  garage door, and make sure that it opens and closes properly. If you’re going to be using your garage more, you’ll want to make sure your garage door works.

If you haven’t had your garage door serviced recently, or know that there’s an issue with it, call the professionals in to fix any problems.

If you want a better door, or the ability to open or close it remotely, or want a different style of garage door, then your garage door technician will be able to advise you.

5. What will you use it for?

Knowing what you’ll use it for will help you to make more of your garage.

Perhaps you’ll use your garage for:

  • Car storage
  • Kids stuff
  • Workspace
  • Band or sports practice
  • Sports, leisure or camping equipment
  • Storing work items like equipment or stock

Whatever you use your garage for, make sure that it’s suitable.

6. Let your family know

Let your family know what you’re doing, why you’re doing it, and how, to get them onside. They may even be persuaded to help you!

Get their input, and ask them to think about the needs of the whole family will ensure your garage layout and organization actually works in real life.

There’s no point in putting the kids’ bikes where they can’t reach them, or your tool chest where your cars should be parked.

7. Decide what each area will be used for

If your garage will have several uses, then why not divide it up? This ensures everything is in the right place and easily accessible. You won’t want to have to move a boat or a car just to get hammer out of your tool box.

8. Get things off the floor

If you’re using your garage to store things, then you’ll want to keep them organized, accessible and safe.

Low cost shelving, storage cupboards or even wardrobes will enable you to keep your power tools away from your children, and their sports equipment and bikes to hand, ready for when they are needed.

9. Label everything

Make sure that everything has a place, and there’s a place for everything. Then there’s no excuse for things being left out, put in the wrong place, or going missing.

Remembering to put everything away, and encouraging everyone else in the family to do the same, will keep your garage tidy.

10. Has anything changed?

By regularly addressing your family’s needs, you can make sure that your garage layout still works for you all.

If your children are growing, or now have different interests, they may have old things in the garage they don’t use. You can get rid of them and make sure that they have the space for the things they do use.

The equipment you got for your latest hobby or interest that has been used a couple of times might be taking up valuable space your kids or your car could use.

Conclusion

It might be difficult to get started, and to determine what your garage will be used for, and how to incorporate the needs of all the family, but it’s worthwhile, so you can make more of your garage.

Who knows, you might make some money from selling your unwanted items, find things you thought you’d lost and have a tidy garage!

If you need help or advice on your garage door, whether it’s to do with energy efficiency, or it needs putting back on track, call us at 651-702-1420 today.