Home Improvement tips and tricks

Whether you have an old garage or are building a new one, you need to consider the quality and type of roof you choose for your garage. You may have problems with a building inspector if you do not have a proper roof for your garage.


Flat roof garage

Whether you have an old garage or are building a new one, you need to consider the quality and type of roof you choose for your garage. You may have problems with a building inspector if you do not have a proper roof for your garage.

He can quote your garage. And of course, you want to make sure that you have a stable and reliable roof that can cope with massive rainfall.

A flat roof with collapsed joists allows rainwater to accumulate in the center rather than flowing to the edges of the roof.

This is a common problem that concerns almost all so-called flat roofs. An insufficient roof slope favors the formation of rainwater puddles, which increases the risk of leaks when the roof ages.

Roof drains should be installed at each low point of the roof. Since the roof joists have sagged, it appears that they were not designed to support the accumulated water. Therefore, if you can add drains to the lowest points of the roof, this could extend the life of your roof.

Garage renovation

You are probably wondering why you need a facelift for your garage. It's only a garage! But what if you have a garage for two or more cars?

Garage doors occupy a significant part of the front of the house. What is the point of having a good design for your home but having only generic garage doors?

Nowadays, trends in garage doors consist of incorporating doors into the design of the house. For example, you can choose body-style doors (they look like they open like old-fashioned doors in carriage houses, but they open like normal garage doors) or calender doors in wood.

These wooden doors are reminiscent of carriage days and are very popular.

You do not need to go as far as ordering custom garage doors as you can find more attractive garage doors in most  home improvement   stores.

In addition to doors, the floor of a garage gives style and can integrate with the overall aesthetics of your home. You can try interlocking garage floor tiles that come in many colors and patterns.

They are made of polypropylene and are easy  to install   and clean. Another interesting and practical flooring is the G-shaped floor in the shape of a coin.

Garage doors

There are four basic types of garage doors and three types of materials commonly used to construct these doors.

If you want a traditional look for the garage, the suspended garage door is the usual solution. Guillotine doors can be mounted directly on a wooden frame or on bricks.

Another type of garage door is the sectional garage door.

These doors are perfect when the space in front of the garage is limited because they open vertically. They are perfect for a new garage destined to have an aesthetic appeal.

Roll-up doors are similar to sectional garage doors. The door wraps in a drum above the door opening of the garage.

In addition, it is not necessary to allow a room, inside or outside, to operate the door; it is therefore perfect for a limited space in front of the garage.

The last type of door is the most common, the tilting garage door. This is the most popular type.

They can be made from wood, steel and GPR materials.

They can also be manual or automatic and they are relatively easy to install.

Gadgets for your garage

If you spend a lot of time at home in your garage or want a clean and organized garage, you need some gadgets. Garage gadgets come in many forms and for different purposes.

For example, a stop light for parking may be useful for someone with a depth perception problem or someone who is coming home from work late and is very tired.

If you have such problems, you need this tool. It is easy  to install   and use and helps you park the car in the same place every time the motion sensors are triggered.

If you need space on the walls next to the door, you can install a garage door opener on the ceiling above the door to eliminate the chains.

The bike storage is ideal in a garage to hang your bike on a wall so that you can access it easily with the advantage of having more free space in the garage.

If you have many more items in your garage than you actually do, or if the walls are filled with shelves and cabinets, you probably need additional storage devices, such as a suspended storage system. mounted directly to the ceiling.

Five steps to a clean garage workshop

You park your car in the driveway and you must always work on your projects in the backyard. If you do not use your garage for the intended purpose, why not turn it into a storage workshop?

Here are five steps to turn your garage into a perfect little house

workshop:

1) Create your own workbench from an old door, saw or waste wood.

2) Mount a perforated panel on the wall to store your tools. It would be a good idea to mount it above your workbench. Set the stakes strategically according to the type of tools you place on the board. After hanging your tools, trace them around a marker so they know where everyone is going.

3) Use old pots to hold nails, nuts, bolts and screws.

4) Make a storage box for rags as they tend to accumulate in the work area.

5) Use a small toolbox to carry items such as screws and nails while moving through the store.

A garage addition

Does our older child need a little more freedom? Your work at home or maybe you just need another room for a special project that you want to start? Then the solution is to build a new addition to your garage.

By adding to your garage, you can add more living space to your home, no matter what type of garage you have, whether detached or attached to the house. The space above the garage can be turned into a private living space for your older child, your guests or a resident parent.

You can convert your garage into a home office. You could very well find here the peace and tranquility necessary for your work.

In addition, the new addition can be converted to a music studio if you set up simple soundproofing measures.

In order to start planning to add your garage, first prepare a budget, then hire a professional because it is a complex project.

In addition, you may need to hire an architect to help you with construction plans.

Your garage-workshop heater

Why do you need a heater for your renovated garage?

The answer to this question is pretty obvious. One of the major drawbacks of using your garage as a workshop or home office is that it was not made for that.

The garage is the special place reserved for your car, the garage is the room where you keep your lawn and garden accessories.

If you start using this space for other projects you have, you have to face one of the major drawbacks, namely heat.

During the summer, you do not have to worry about this, but during the cold season you may have difficulty continuing your project due to the very low temperature.

You can find many ways to warm your garage shop. You can try one of the porcelain heaters; they work very well and can warm a good area, but they are not designed to warm a large space for a long time.

Another solution for you would be to use a kerosene heater. These heaters are easy to light, most of them are equipped with an electric starter.

It should have a thermostat to be able to regulate the temperature so they have a specific perfume, they work on kerosene! So, if you think you can not handle this smell, a kerosene heater would not be a good choice for you.

They are dangerous enough for your children, if they have access to the garage and you will certainly want to ventilate the garage!

A very good and popular choice nowadays is a gas heater. Of course, you have to hire a professional  to install   it. You can find a gas heater that fits your budget for remodeling the garage.

There are many models and almost all are relatively inexpensive. The main advantage of a gas heater is that it gives you a warm environment. They are available in both manual and thermostatic control types.

You would probably prefer a model with a thermostat, even if its price is a bit higher than a model with manual temperature control. The only thing to do is to set it to the desired temperature and let it do its job.

There are two types of ventilated and ventilated less gas heaters. The unit without ventilation uses room air and the ventilation model is equipped with a system allowing direct ventilation of the garage.

The disadvantage of the fanless model is that you have to keep the room ventilated at all times because the unit uses the air from the room where it was installed. The main advantage of both types of gas heaters is that they have a relatively low operating cost compared to the kerosene heater and electric heaters.

Remember, if you choose  to install   a more advanced heating system, such as a gas heater, you must seek the assistance of a professional.

Your garage-workshop heater

Why do you need a heater for your renovated garage? The answer to this question is pretty obvious. One of the major drawbacks of using your garage as a workshop or home office is that it was not made for that.

The garage is the special place reserved for your car, the garage is the room where you keep your lawn and garden accessories.

If you start using this space for other projects, you have to face a major disadvantage, namely heat.

During the summer, you do not have to worry about this, but during the cold season you may have difficulty continuing your project due to the very low temperature.

You can find many ways to warm your garage shop. You can try porcelain heaters; they work very well and can warm up a good area, but they are not designed to warm a large space for long periods.

Another solution for you would be to use a kerosene heater. These heaters are easy to light, most of them are equipped with an electric starter. It should have a thermostat to be able to regulate the temperature so they have a specific perfume, they work on kerosene!

So, if you think you can not handle this smell, a kerosene heater would not be a good choice for you. They are dangerous enough for your children if they have access to the garage and you will certainly want to ventilate it!

A very good and popular choice nowadays is a gas heater. Of course, you have to hire a professional  to install   it. You can find a gas heater that fits your budget for remodeling the garage. Il existe de nombreux modèles et presque tous sont relativement peu coûteux.

The main advantage of a gas heater is that it gives you a warm environment. They are available in both manual and thermostatic control types. You would probably prefer a model with a thermostat, even if its price is a bit higher than a model with manual temperature control.

The only thing to do is to set it to the desired temperature and let it do its job. There are two types of ventilated and ventilated less gas heaters. The unit without ventilation uses room air and the ventilation model is equipped with a system allowing direct ventilation of the garage.

The disadvantage of the fanless model is that you have to keep the room ventilated at all times because the unit uses the air from the room where it was installed. The main advantage of both types of gas heaters is that they have a relatively low operating cost compared to the kerosene heater and electric heaters.

Remember, if you choose  to install   a more advanced heating system, such as a gas heater, you must seek the assistance of a professional.

Tornadoes, hurricanes, storms and garage doors

Often being the largest opening of most homes, the garage door is usually the most vulnerable to breakdowns caused by high winds such as hurricanes, tornadoes and storms in general. Wind pressure can destroy garage doors during a storm that allows water and wind to enter the house.

This can cause significant damage to furniture, electronic equipment, content in general and the structure of the house. The garage door is often neglected when strengthening the structure against high winds.

Massive building failures and high winds have convinced storm-prone communities that residents must be prepared to use active or passive reinforcement systems for their garage doors.

An active system is that type of specific reinforcement that must be installed before a strong wind. Passive systems are built into the product and require no activation from the owner.

For the homeowner in hurricane prone areas, there are only two real options: a new garage door with built-in passive reinforcement system or a garage door reinforcement kit.

The ability to completely replace the garage door is usually an expensive procedure. Therefore, a garage door reinforcement kit would be a good choice if your garage renovation budget is low. Although it is rather expensive, a new garage door offers a safer and more secure option against a strong wind.

If you prefer to choose the cheapest option, that is to say reinforce your garage door, you can protect your home in one of the following ways: first install pressure or pressure-resistant devices Shocks, such as shutters, panels, accordion shutters on the garage doors or install pressure / impact resistant garage doors that do not require flaps.

If your existing door is impact resistant but the wind pressure is not adequate, install an approved garage door bracing system to increase the wind pressure resistance.

A shock and pressure resistance rating ensures that the unit meets the requirements of the Southern Building Code's international standards for wind and debris pressure, as well as the July 1988 requirements of the Building Code. American Society of Civil Engineers adopted in September 1994.

When adding a garage door brace, make sure there is sufficient and relevant documentation that the product has been tested in a certified testing laboratory.

The product must be designed to withstand positive and negative wind pressures. You must contact a local supplier of approved garage door bracing systems to help you choose  the system   that is right for you.

Tips for your garage door

The new generation of garage doors is reasonably priced, safe and easy to install. They are no longer practical for a few privileged people. You should consider changing your garage door if it is too old or if it has an old engine or pulley system.

Garage doors can be selected depending on the type of chain. They use a screw system, a chain system or a computer controlled system. The screw drive system has a mechanism that moves the length of a steel rod; it is a lifting mechanism that is mounted in the ceiling of your garage.

The chain drive system consists of a chain that moves the gate along a pair of tracks; This is the most common and affordable system, but it also has the disadvantage of being extremely noisy. The mechanism of the computer does not  use screws   or chains; the body of  the system   is mounted above the door.

Speed ​​and type of power are other factors used when choosing a new garage door. A faster door means a more expensive door, but this feature reduces waiting time on your driveway.

Even if it opens quickly, a door usually closes rather slowly for security reasons. Engine power is important in choosing a door because it must have enough power to lift it; a big engine is likely to last longer. In addition, the silence of the engine should be another factor of decision.

Enhanced security features are available in a new generation of gates using random codes. A new random code is generated each time the remote is used to open the garage door.

This security code prevents you from opening another garage and vice versa. The remote control can be found in several models with a different number of buttons. A multi-button remote is the best choice for someone who has multiple garages.

The fixed controller is mounted on the wall, either indoors or outdoors, near the garage door and allows the garage door to open without a remote control. The keypad allows you to close the door for a period of time and gives you enough time to get out of the garage without running.

Safety devices are present on each garage door. These features prevent the door from crushing objects or people by reversing the direction if it hits something.

This security feature is triggered by an electron beam and is made mandatory by law. A computer-controlled mechanism can detect or compensate for variable conditions, for example if the door comes in contact with an obstacle or closes too quickly.

G floor

In recent years, the garage has become an important extension of the house. More and more people are rearranging their garage by giving it a new purpose, for example by turning it into a home office, workshop, music studio and even adding a new room over it.

If you are the type that needs a workshop in your garage and you also want to park your car indoors, you should definitely install a G floor.

This type of flooring gives your garage a new look, no matter what activities you choose, and also hides cracks and stains while protecting the floor from oil, battery acid, grease, brake fluids, salt, antifreeze, mud or any other dirt that finds its way into the garage.

If you live in a colder climate, you certainly know what snow and salt do in your garage in winter, this floor is easy to clean, you just have to stop it.

If you are planning to remodel your garage, you should consider the possibility of installing a G floor for several reasons. The coin-patterned floor covering is easy to install, rather inexpensive, durable and gives a nice look to your workshop-garage.

Seal a garage floor

Your garage floor is exposed to intense corrosion and deterioration from road salt, oils and other automotive fluids. Sealing the floor of your garage reduces dust and makes cleaning and sweeping easier.

A clear acrylic concrete sealer protects concrete from damage and stains. Similarly, the same sealants can be used on concrete walkways and driveways or as a primer under acrylic or polyurethane paints. You must be careful when and where you apply a sealer because they can not be applied to paint or other coatings.

For the seal yourself, you need several materials and tools: protective clothing, neoprene rubber gloves, goggles, a hard brush and a bucket, a brush, a cartridge respirator with organic vapor filters and small particles, paint roller with handle and extension tray, medium nap roller cover, concrete degreaser and of course a concrete sealant. Usually, half a gallon of sealer is used for about 100 square feet.

Before sealing, you must clean the floor as it must be free of dirt, grease and oil. To do this, you must use a stiff brush to apply the concrete cleaner and degreaser according to the instructions.

Allow the solution to sit on the floor for another 15 to 20 minutes to remove stubborn stains after brushing. After that, rinse thoroughly with clear water. You may need several applications.

Many concrete sealants contain dangerous chemicals that can be harmful to the skin and eyes. The vapors are not breathable, but the vast majority of them are acrylic.

The best way to avoid damage to your skin, eyes and lungs is to wear protective equipment consisting of neoprene rubber gloves, safety goggles and a respirator with filter cartridges for organic vapors and solid particles.

During the floor sealing process, you have to constantly ventilate the garage by opening all doors and windows and using a fan would be a great idea.

After cleaning and drying the concrete, the sealant should be applied. The sealant should be tested in an inconspicuous area before application. Uneven density in concrete may give a light / dark appearance that may be unacceptable.

The use of the medium pile paint roller with extension is the easiest way to apply the sealant. Start at a back corner while continuing out of the garage. Before doing anything, you should let the sealer dry as indicated on the sealant bottle, usually for a few hours.

For an alley, the procedure is essentially the same, but it would be quicker to use a garden sprayer to apply the sealant on a large driveway. You must act with caution to avoid spraying on another material because of the high risk of stains.

Security A necessity of garage

What do you see when you check out a garage for the first time?

The garage door. This is the first and most important contact of your garage in the world. If you want to have total confidence in your garage, this contact must be 100% secure.

In addition, the door says a lot about you and your tastes in terms of design. You can have a nice house, but if your garage door is white and white wood, it sounds awful when opened or closed, says a lot about your neglect of style and safety.

An aging garage door and opener could pose a real threat to your children or pets. Injuries and death are a thing of the past with new garage door openers and doors.

If you are planning to remodel your garage, one of the first steps is to change your doors and openers.

The old garage doors were heavy, huge wooden giants that rotted and cracked. Although wooden doors offer a wide variety of styles and textures, problems with bad insulation remain real and current.

An alternative is fiberglass material, which is inexpensive, easy to lift, corrosion resistant and low maintenance, but also offers little insulation and safety.

If you want a maintenance-free, durable and non-enveloping garage door, you need steel. They also offer good insulation, consisting of two or more sheets of steel alternating with a variety of insulating materials.

They also come in various textures, styles, shapes and colors tailored to your needs. In addition, you can add windows, including the reflective type, that offer an obscure view of the garage.

In 1991, US law imposed automatic reversing doors for garage door openers. Since 1993, optical sensors have become mandatory. The sensor works perfectly for your safety if something hinders the sensor beam when the door lowers, the sensor puts the door back in place.

The new design also offers more security and quieter operation. Today, the silence options include a Kevlar strapping cart or, the cheapest option, a worm model with a plastic coated rail to reduce the noisy contact of metal to metal.

Remote controls have been enhanced to allow you to find a remote control with enough buttons to control lighting or appliances in your home and garage. Another option for your remote control buttons is the child safety and drop-down security codes that automatically change each time the garage door is opened to prevent the theft of your opener's code.

Even if all these changes have been added to your garage, safety and security are not 100% guaranteed. It is preferable that the installation of a new garage door and opener be entrusted to a team of professionals who can make the appropriate adjustments to allow the sensitive equipment to provide you with the maximum security in your home. garage.

Renovation ideas for your garage

What is the easiest way to add more space to your home? Of course, the solution is to remodel your garage. A very cost effective way to gain more space for your home is to redevelop your garage.

You can significantly increase the living space of your home, especially if you no longer use your garage to park your car using your entrance. Remodeling your garage can help you better organize and stop storing everything in your garage. That's why you have a basement.

Your garage provides an ideal environment for your studio, studio or home office. Many people also find that their garage can also be used for a gym or for another salon designed for special activities.

However, remodeling your garage does not necessarily mean that you have to sacrifice your storage space or your parking area. Nowadays, garages have become multifunctional: cars, general storage, a workshop and even a home office are all in one place.

Because many garages are attached to the house, they can enjoy the same comfort as telephone wires, heating, air conditioning and plumbing. All you need is a little imagination, a fixed budget and a plan.

If you think that by transforming yourself, you risk losing too much storage space, you can always create a small storage space behind your garage to store sports equipment, tools and other objects.

In addition, when redeveloping your garage, you should consider an addition above it. Adding a room for a workspace and even life, for one of your children (they usually like it) above the existing garage can give you more space and increase the value of your house without major modification of the floor plan.

If you feel the need  to renovate   your garage but you do not know exactly what you want or what you need, you should consider the following ideas.

You can turn your garage into a laundry room if you have your laundry in the basement. By building a laundry in your garage, you will avoid going up and down the stairs.

A music studio can be an excellent choice for your garage remodeling projects if you or your children have trends in this direction. The garage is where many garage groups have started. To avoid complaints from your neighbors, consider soundproofing the walls of your garage.

Another idea for your garage may be to turn it into a gym. If you have your equipment and you do not have enough room to use it indoors, you can always move it around the garage and have enough space for your daily exercise and training. Here too, you will not be disturbed.

Plan your garage in advance

What would your dream garage look like? Some people want to have it equipped for the car, others dream of a beautiful workshop, a laundry room, a gym or a rehearsal studio for their own band. Some people only want to expand their living space and improve their lifestyle.

With how much money do you work? Even if you only want to remodel, rebuild, or rearrange a small portion of your garage, you must have a budget. It is imperative to keep in mind a specific goal and a realistic and accurate budget.

The first step is to carefully assess your space needs and needs. Even if it is a small garage, you can find a lot of space to use for your workspace.

The decision to do the project yourself or to hire a contractor depends on several factors, including your skills and the scale of the project. With only basic skills, you can achieve a major reorganization project.

You can buy the furniture you need yourself according to your needs and your available space. Cabinets, shelves, stakes and hooks are essential to turn your garage into a usable space for a weekend. If you have a more ambitious project in mind, you may need to consult a plumber or an electrician.

If you are thinking about converting your garage into a living room, you'd better become a professional or risk the safety and value of your own home.

If you choose a contractor and recommend it, regardless of the size of the project or your skills, choose one that you have already seen and, if you have the opportunity, get recommendations.

It is best to see with your own eyes the competences and some relevant work of the contractor so that you can decide whether you can be satisfied with his work or not.

Costs and construction times vary depending on the scope and scale of the project. If there is no structural problem, finishing and enclosing a garage and turning it into a usable room would take less than two weeks.

The costs depend on the materials you decide to use, but keep in mind that expensive does not necessarily mean quality and that being cheap does not guarantee reliability every time.




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