When it does get cold in Houston, it can get really cold. One of the last places you would think about heat is your garage unless you turned it into a living space. Yet many homeowners do tend to use their garage in more than one way, from a workshop to a gym and of course, storing their vehicles. Even if that is the only reason, who wants to step into a cold garage from a warm house? That is why we are going to give you some garage heating tips.
Garage Heating Tips
Get a Heater
Yes, getting a heater sounds like an obvious answer, until you think about it. Depending on what you store in your garage, you may not want your traditional combustion heater that uses propane or kerosene. We suggest a forced-air garage heater. A forced-air garage heater moves air past a heating element warming the surrounding air; then the hot air rises away from the heater. These garage heaters are best for enclosed spaces and are similar to a forced air heating system in a home. They are easy to use and install, with heating levels set by an adjustable thermostat, and louvers to adjust the direction of heat.
You could also consider an infrared garage heater. Infrared heaters deliver radiate heat rather than using a conventional blower fan. An infrared heater may be the best heater for a garage if you use it for a workshop or crafting area. Infrared heaters don’t raise dust or keep dust airborne.
Insulate the Garage Door
Your garage door can take up a large space on the outside of your home and takes the brunt of the cold weather. Because of this, having insulated garage doors or insulating your current garage door will help keep the warm air in and the cold air out. A garage door insulation kit is an easy and effective way to block this heat from traveling through the door. You can find a wide variety of garage door insulation kits online.
Repair Or Replace the Weatherstripping.
The function of weatherstrips is to create a seal for the garage and garage door opening. If your garage door has old, dirty, and worn weatherstripping, this does not provide adequate sealing to hold the warmth inside. A simple replacement of weatherstripping will ensure more heat is contained in your garage. Remember, however, that you always need to install enough new weatherstripping to ensure that the garage door closes properly.
Insulate Your Garage Walls
Insulating your garage door is only going to help so far if the garage walls are not insulated as well. If your studs are still exposed, add fiberglass batt insulation in each stud space. Cover the walls in either drywall or plywood.
Fix Garage Door Issues
If your garage door has come off track, or the panels have been dented, you will want to repair your garage door as soon as possible. Otherwise, you are letting the cold air into your garage unnecessarily. If you are in the Houston area, Spectrum Overhead Door LLC can repair your garage door, oftentimes on the same day! Call to schedule your appointment and don’t let cold air blow into your garage.
A good portion of Houston homes has a garage. The most obvious thing to do with your garage is to park your vehicles in the garage. Yet, that is not the only thing you can use your garage for. Some homeowners have extra space when they park their vehicles. Others may want to do something completely different with the garage. It is, after all, an extra room. Here are some best uses for your garage.
Your Use of Your Garage Can Change
One of the best things about using a garage for other things besides parking your vehicles is that the space is easier to change uses than other rooms in the home. You could even combine some of these ideas together if you like.
Uses for Your Garage
Home Gym.
Your garage can be a perfect place to turn into a small home gym. This does not take a bunch of fancy, bulky equipment. You can easily start with a bench, dumbbells, and a mat. A garage is a good place to do a wok out because you can open your garage door when there is a nice breeze, or it is cool outside to get a natural ventilation. All the for mentioned equipment is easy to store or move to a corner of the garage, making your garage still usable for your vehicle.
Game/Party room.
Your garage could make for an excellent way to entertain friends and family. When the weather is right, you can open the garage door for expanded space and let the breeze cool your guests down. You can add games like dartboards on the wall or foldable tables for cards. All these ideas for having friends over and entertaining guests can easily be stored or in cases like a TV or darts, be on the wall so your garage is till usable for your vehicle.
Computer Repair.
Now, we wanted to steer clear of the stereotypical thought of tools and workshop in the garage. That is a fairly well know idea. That being said, when one thinks of that idea, usually what comes to mind is fixing a car or repairing a door. Yet, if you have a tech geek in your home that loves to fix computers, setting up a small workbench on the side or at the back your garage could be a perfect idea. You can use totes and pegboard to keep everything organized and out of the way, still making room for your vehicle.
Sewing.
Sewing machines do not take up vast amounts of space. If you’re a person that likes to sew and wants to be a bit removed away from the rest of the family while doing it the garage is a great place to set up your machine. Sealable boxes can be used to keep dust away from the fabric.
Start-up Business.
Google, Dell, Microsoft, Yankee Candle all started from a garage. If you have a dream you want to turn into a business, you can put together a small corner office or workstation in your garage where you can start your dream business, yet still have room to park your vehicle.
Art Studio.
If you are an artist, and especially a painter, turning your garage into an art studio might be a great idea. There is less chance of your paints getting on indoor floors. Plus it could be a great place to get away from the family and have some peace and quiet to enjoy your painting, sculpting, or whatever art you do.
Home Repair and Construction Workshop
Probably one of the best-known uses for a garage is a place to do home repair projects. Need a place to paint a door before hanging it on the henges, a garage is a great place for that. Need to cut some wood for a repair or remodel? A garage is a great place for that too! A garage is a great place to store your tools and put them to use when you need to.
Some Considerations When Choosing Garage Space Usage.
When deciding what to use your garage for instead of just a storage closet, there are a few considerations you need to think about.
Noise – Garages usually have a concrete floor that can bounce noise a bit. Also, the build and insulation of your garage door will have an effect on how much outside noise you hear.
Dust – Because you open your garage door, there is more of a chance your garage will have dust and dirt. If you decide to use your garage for something that you do not want to get dirt or dust on, use containers like plastic tote boxes.
Size of your vehicle and garage – A two-car garage is obviously going to have more room, but be mindful if you have two bigger vehicles. You want to have enough room to comfortable to move about with the vehicles in the garage if you still plan to park them there.
Spectrum Overhead Door LLC is a locally owned and operated garage door repair company serving Houston, TX and surrounding areas. For over 12 years we have helped hundreds of homeowners in the Houston area with their garage door needs with award-winning service. If you have an issue with your garage door or garage door opener, call 281-748-9542 for a free estimate today!
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With more than 63% of American houses including a garage or carport (entergy.gov), it is safe to say, that the garage door is a vital factor when it comes to household investments. There are several ways you can make your garage door less ordinary and make the home have more curb appeal. One of those ways is garage door windows. These are windows that generally are in the second from the top garage door section on a sectional garage door. There are some good reasons to have windows in your garage door, as well as some drawbacks. We are going to look at the pros and cons of garage door windows.
Pros of Garage Door Windows
These are the benefits of installing a window that sits on top of your garage door:
Curb Appeal
One of the main reasons to get garage door windows is curb appeal. Your garage door takes up a good chunk of one side of your home. With a garage door window, you are able to customize your garage door to go with the rest of the house, and or stand out as an accent piece. Either direction you go will help raise your home’s value.
More natural light
One of the biggest benefits of adding a window to a garage door is the fact that more natural light can enter the garage. This provides convenience at any time of day as well as an easier way to clean up the garage floor if you’re working on your vehicle or just organizing. This can also make your garage safer by being able to carry things into the garage without having to hit a light switch. It will be easier to watch your step in the garage before you get to the light switch.
Ability to Customize
As we mentioned, one of the reasons for garage door windows is curb appeal. This is because you can customize what windows you have in your garage door. You can have one or two rows of windows, and large rectangular panes, or you can take advantage of many other panel and window designs. There are plenty of designs to choose from and you can even make them match the windows you have in your home.
Cons of Garage Door Windows
While the pros are significant, there are a few cons that you may want to consider. These cons include:
Privacy and security
The biggest con of garage door windows is privacy and security. Just like any other window, people can see what is inside your garage. Having glass on your garage door can make you feel your property is more vulnerable to theft and break-ins. This can be mitigated through by making sure the windows are high enough that it is hard for anyone walking by to look directly through them. You can also choose thick, double-pane windows for your garage door, you enhance its safety and energy efficiency.
Potential for water damage
Windows on a garage door, just like any other window, need to be sealed against the elements, especially considering it rains a lot here in Houston. Just like any other weather seal, those seals can break down over time. This could allow rain to get in the inside of your garage and potentially inside your garage door.
Glass breakage
Whether it’s from a rock thrown to a dropping tree branch, it is possible for your garage door window to break. Shards are easily broken into small pieces that can be dangerous to anyone who walks by the garage at any time. Plus this now poses a security risk as your garage is now exposed to being broken into. To help avoid damage, consider getting tempered glass, a more resilient glass choice for garage doors.
If you’re still interested in adding garage door windows, make sure that you consider the above cons and pros to determine whether window installation is right for you. Here are the other few things to consider when buying garage door windows:
In conclusion, garage door windows can be an excellent choice if you’re looking to improve the functionality of your garage or eliminate any visibility issues that may have arisen over time. Not only are these beneficial for you, but they make your garage safer and more convenient for anyone who uses them regularly. If you’re interested in installing garage door windows, consider the Houston garage door pros at Spectrum Overhead Door. We have been helping Houstonians with their garage door installation and repairs since 2006. Call either 281-748-9542 or if you are closer to East Houston 713-557-3407 for a free quote today.
Your garage door can take up to 40% of one side of your house and many Houstonians tend to use their garage doors as their front door. So when something like a basketball or even a vehicle dents your garage door, it’s unsightly and could cause problems later on down the road. But can you fix cosmetic dents on your garage door?
Cosmetic Vs. Structural
First, let’s go over the difference in cosmetic vs. structural damage. If the dent is in the middle of the panel where it has only pushed the embossing in, that is cosmetic damage. If the dent is toward the edges of the garage door panel, especially if it’s causing two pieces to separate, that is structural damage.
Fixing the Cosmetic Damage on a Garage Door.
Now, if you have had something dent your garage door panel in the embossment, you can fix it yourself. It’s still not going to look perfect, but it will take the dent out of your garage door.
Wash the dented surface with soap and water.
Locate a wood block and mallet.
Move to the opposite side of the indentation.
Place the wood block over the dent.
Tap the section with a mallet until it sits flush with surrounding panels.
Structural Panel Damage.
If your dent is at a place and way that is making 2 of the panels separate in a section or some sections, that is structural damage. Unless you are fairly handy with home improvement projects, it’s probably best to call a garage door repair company to have them make the repair. This type of damage you don’t want to leave, as it can eventually affect the opening and closing of the garage door.
What Can Be Done?
Strut Brace to Fix Dent in Garage Door
If the dents or separation is small, your garage door technician will probably install strut braces. Strut braces go on the back of your garage door panels to help keep them in line and reinforced.
Garage Door Panel Swap
If the separation does not look like it can be hammered out and reinforced, not all Is lost. You will not have to buy a whole new garage door. Instead, your garage door technician will do a panel swap. We replace just the panels that were damaged with new panels. From the outside, it will look like you have a brand-new door.
If your garage door panel is dented in a structural spot, or you are just generally unsure of what you should do about your dented garage door, you can contact Spectrum Overhead Door if you are in the Houston area. We have repaired and replaced garage door panels since 2006 with award-winning service. Call us at 281-748-9542 to schedule your appointment.
Your garage door has a big part to play in the curb appeal of your home. In fact, your garage door can cover up to 40% of one side on the outside of your home with an attached garage. With this can come a question, how do you upgrade the look of your garage door affordably? So we are going to show you some easy garage door upgrades that won’t break the bank.
Decorative Garage Door Hardware.
Decorative garage door hardware can be an easy way to change the look of your garage door affordably. They can turn a garage door, like a plain white aluminum garage door, into something that looks more unique and special. These decorative pieces like Barcelona straps and handles or spade straps and handles can add some old-world charm to your garage door, giving your garage door a carriage house barn door look.
A Few Tips When Choosing Your Decorative Garage Door Hardware.
Make it look like it belongs.
Decorative garage door hardware looks, like the strap hinges, latches, and pulls that at one time functioned on older doors. For example, the handles are made to look like handles actually used on older barn style doors. Because of this, you want to make the decorative garage door hardware look like it truly belongs on your door instead of just something stuck on there for no real reason. Your current garage door style, position and size are key to making the look believable. For example, consider where hinges would be located if the doors really were to swing open for real.
Some other things to consider:
Is it a swing style or barn style door?
What design elements do you want to emphasize?
Do you want to create the look of double wide doors as two doors?
Some Tips on Placement:
Size your strap hinges to be at least 1/4 to 1/3 the width of the door opening if creating a two-door look or use strap hinges that are 1/4 to 1/3 the width of the double wide opening.
Handles, ring pulls, latches (anything that looks like you would pull) need to be placed at least 34 inches from the bottom of the garage door. You want to have them at a height that looks like someone could actually pull on them to open the door.
Strap hinges are usually placed on top and bottom rails and intermediate locations. The key is to remember to place them in a logical position if there were real hinges that would open the door.
The top and bottom straps should be the same length and the one in the middle should be shorter.
For less than $100, you can use the decorative garage door hardware to give your garage door look some new life.
Garage Door Lighting
If the outside or inside of your garage door is lacking lighting, you can easily solve that without having to spend too much. For example, you can place solar rechargeable lights on the outside of your garage that also detects motion.
Outdoor Garage Lighting Tip: Quantity and Placement Considerations
For a single-car garage include one or two outdoor lights across the top of the garage door or two smaller lights on either side of the door. For a two-car garage, a light on each side and one in the middle should give you sufficient lighting and look great.
Clean Your Garage Door
Now, you may be thinking, “wait, isn’t that just basic maintenance work”? You would be right. But in terms of a cheap way to spruce up the look of your garage door, a dirty garage door is not something anyone wants to look at. If your garage door does not have dents, cracks, or chipped paint, a good cleaning could be the answer to giving your garage door new life.
About Spectrum Overhead Door LLC.
If you are in the Houston or surrounding area, we provide a free consultation and estimate. Spectrum Overhead Door has been providing the Houston area with award-winning garage door installation service since 2006. Call 281-748-9542 or our East Houston office 713-557-3407 to schedule an appointment today!
Technology is ever-changing the way we live. It makes life faster, easier, and more convenient in many ways. Just as there are technological advances in just about every facet of life, garage doors are no exception. When new advances in garage door technology come out, we like to shine a light on them so you can know what the newest and latest options that are out there for you. This time we wanted to spotlight this advancement of garage door technology, MyQ Pet Portal.
While not exclusively involving the garage door, the MyQ Pet Portal was showcased at the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) this year as one of Chamberlain’s latest developments (Liftmaster’s parent company). The MyQ system is the same system Chamberlain created to give you better control over your garage door and allows you conveniences such as Amazon packages to be delivered inside your garage and knowing when your garage door opens and closes.
This same kind of technology is now being applied to pet doors. The MyQ Pet Portal comes integrated in a select offering of Kolbe doors with material and color options. You can control the pet door remotely through the MyQ Pet Portal app, authorizing when your pet can go out, and you can monitor your pet’s activity through live video streaming and two-way audio. It’s easy to install, with no extra wires, but it does require bolting a bracket to your ceiling. The MyQ Pet Portal is compatible with Nest, Wink, Xfinity Home and Google Assistant.
A custom Bluetooth collar sensor that works together with the Pet Portal door and app allows you to give your dog or pet freedom to go in and out on its own if you so wish. This is perfect for pet parents that have to be gone for long commutes and want the ability to let the dog outside without the need for a pet sitter. If you work from home, it can make it easier to let the dog out while you’re working.
The MyQ Pet Portal also can help avoid pet accidents via garage door by restricting your pets to their own entrance area and keeping them away from the garage door. Sensors are meant to keep a garage door from closing on pets, but they are not foolproof. There is also the slight chance something can go wrong with a garage door like a spring breaking that can cause an injury to your pet.
This technology also can help extend the life of your garage door as well. By not having your pets go in and out by the garage, you have less pet dander that can cover your garage door photosensors. Also, the less opening and closing your garage doors do, the less wear and tear on your garage door parts.
Spectrum Overhead Garage Door has been servicing Houston garage doors for over 15 years. If you need a repair on your garage door, you can call 281-748-9542 or if on the East side of Houston 713-557-3407 to schedule an appointment or get a free quote. Same-day service appointments are available!
