Entries Tagged 'Garage' ↓
August 27th, 2008 — Air Conditioning, Create, Design, Doors, Garage, Handy Man, Heating, Project, electrical system
When it comes to adding on to your home, one of the most logical places to start if you are on a tight budget is your garage. It’s already there and if it is connected to your house, you’ve already got an extra room right at your disposal. However, there are a few considerations that you will need to take into mind before converting your garage.
1. How is the ventilation?
Typically, your garage will not be hooked up to the ventilation system in your house. Before you make any plans to convert your garage, you will need to have an adequate method of ventilation. Typically, it is easy enough to add the room to your duct system. However, if the garage is a stand alone room, you may have to add a separate system.
2. How will you handle the doors?
A garage will typically have one large door and then a side door. If the room will be a bedroom or part of a living area, you will need to change that big door out. However, if you are just going to use it occasionally, you may be able to get away without replacing it.
3. How good is the electrical system?
Having extra outlets in your garage is helpful, even if you don’t plan on converting it. Typically, garages have a limited number of outlets, so you may need to add more. It is also a good idea to check the electrical system to determine whether or not is safe.
4. Heating and cooling is vital.
If someone will be living in the garage, you need to make sure that you have a way to control the temperature. Garages are typically not insulated very well, so you may need to add extra insulation. In addition, you will need to either work out a space heater or window air solution, or find a way to add your garage to the rest of your home’s heating and cooling system.
5. Where are you going to put your car?
While it is relatively easy to convert your garage into a new room, it does leave your car out in the cold. You may want to consider installing a car port alongside the garage if possible to provide some shelter for your car. If you’re not worried about it, or you have adequate parking space, this should not be a problem. It is never safe to combine a living area that will share space with a vehicle.
If you cannot find a way to convert your garage, you still may have another option. You can always add an extra room above the garage if necessary. This works well if you don’t have a lot of space on your lot and you still need extra room. This will require the help of a contractor to make sure that the new addition is stable and safe. In a pinch though, this is an easy solution that allows you to keep your car in your garage and still get an extra room.
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July 2nd, 2008 — Doors, Garage, Handy Man, Install, Safety
Having a garage door opener makes life a lot easier and it can add safety features to an existing door. There are numerous kinds of opener and more kinds of doors, but for the sake of brevity, we’re going to cover installing a garage door opener that mounts on the wall above the door. This type of installation allows for more head room and can be a lot safer. The type of door for this opener is usually the type that will either fold up, or that can be raised on a track.
First, you’ll need to follow the instructions that are included with your opener. All openers are different, and while we can supply some general tips, you’ll need to make sure you are using the right tools and techniques for your particular opener. Keep these instructions in a safe place when you’re done in case you ever need to repair your opener.
Ok, let’s get started. Before you go any further, disconnect the power to the garage. First, you’re going to need to mount that opener above the garage door. Make sure that the wall is sturdy enough to handle the weight since some openers can be quite heavy. Using countersunk screws, attach the provided mounting brackets to the wall. You will need to make sure that you are attaching these brackets to a stud and that the screws are firmly in place.
Attach the wires in the motor to the switch on the wall. You may need some additional help from a qualified electrician if this is a brand new installation. If you’re just replacing an opener, follow the instructions to hook up the wires correctly. Make sure that you do everything correctly - wiring is not something you want to mess with. IMPORTANT: make sure that you properly hookup the emergency disconnect device. This will save a life if someone gets trapped under the door.
Now, attach the motor to the brackets, taking special care to make sure that it is secure. Attach the motor to the door using the provided belts or chains. Again, all openers are different, so at this point you will need to refer back to your instructions. Set that emergency disconnect device to MANUAL before going any further.
Raise up the door until it is completely up and then put it back down until it is completely down. Make sure that there aren’t any hitches in its movement. It should be fluid and as noise free as possible. Keep in mind that belt attachments are usually much quieter than chains.
Plug in the opener and then set up the remote control. Follow your unit’s instructions. Clean up the area and double check all connections. Turn the power back on and test the unit. Please note that it’s best to be outside of the garage during testing to avoid getting trapped inside. (It does happen.) Once you’re sure everything is working properly, you’re all set - go have a cold drink and celebrate!
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June 10th, 2008 — Aesthetics, Curb Appeal, Design, Doors, Garage, Handy Man, Outside
Today, we have so many options when it comes to picking a garage door that it can be a bit overwhelming. However, there are a few guidelines and tips you can use to make the selection process a lot easier. Let’s take a look at the four main types of doors, as well as their benefits and downsides.
1. Roller Doors -
If your space is at a premium in your garage, or you don’t want to have to install tracks for the door this is the best option. The door will simply roll up into a big ball when it goes up. This means that the material used is a little more flexible than the average door, so it may not be as durable as other kinds. However, if you’re looking for an easy installation and you don’t have a lot of space, this is a great choice. This type of door works well with most garage door openers, especially the ones that are mounted on the wall above the door, instead of in the middle of the garage ceiling.
2. Sectional Doors -
This is a hybrid between the roller door and a standard door. It’s made of several sections that are hinged together and the material is usually quite rigid and durable. This type of door became very popular in higher end housing communities where it was important to match the style of the door to the style of the house. These doors come in many different colors and materials. They will be raised like a traditional garage door, so you will need to install tracking for it. These take up quite a bit of headroom in your garage and will require an opener that is placed in the center of the garage ceiling. This type of door will work best in garages where there is a lot of headroom and space.
3. Tilting Doors -
These are not as popular as they once were, but you can still find them. If you have a Craftsman style or other type of older home and you want to retain that “old” feel, this is a very good choice. They don’t use a lot of headroom and are pretty easy to install. They will require tracks however and normally, this type of door will not work with an opener. Practically any kind of material can be used for this type of door and you’ll be able to match it to your home’s exterior quite well.
4. Flexi Doors -
These are sold under various brand names, but the general concept is that they are made of flexible material and fit onto a curved track. These work well in garages where there is not a lot of headroom, or in garages that had older style doors that needed to be replaced. They are available in a variety of different materials and are usually pretty durable. Overall, this is probably the best door for most homes and it’s the easiest to maintain.
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