Battle of Garage Doors: Single vs .Double

Whether you have a double garage or ever thought about adding one, you've inevitably faced the question. Is it better to have two single doors or one large door on a double garage? There are a few practical advantages to choosing two smaller doors. 

First, what are your options if the door breaks? If you are relying on one large 16-18 foot garage door and it experiences mechanical failure, your options are limited. It's entirely possible and quite likely that both of your vehicles are stuck inside the garage. It's almost impossible for this problem to occur with two single doors. In the case of mechanical failure, you will at least have the ability to open one garage door to access a vehicle. 

Second, if you live where in an area where the temperatures drop in the wintertime, opening a large double door immediately lets in a huge blast of cold air. Pure size and common sense tell you that a single door will reduce the amount of cold air that invades your garage.

Finally, many people simply appreciate the look of two single doors. They provide a nice balance between garage door and the rest of the structure. A large single door attracts a vast amount of attention and overtakes the design of a structure. Many people dislike the look of a plain oversized door believing it to be an eyesore. 

If you're considering building a double wide garage, contact us. Our experienced staff can discuss your specific needs and style preference to find a garage that perfectly fits your lifestyle. Visit our photo gallery to see and abundance of options for double wide garages. 

Would A Double Garage Make Your House More Livable?

In your day-to-day life, it is important to be able to use and enjoy the space in your home. Even small homes can be very comfortable to live in if the space is organized well and clutter is minimized.

Sometimes, making small adjustments to the space you have can make a big difference. Unconventional uses for common spaces can really help you make the most out of your space. For instance, you can convert an unused bedroom to a craft room, homework study, or a playroom. You can turn a kitchen drawer into a kids toy spot so little ones have something fun to do while you're busy cooking or cleaning. 

If you find you are using living space in your home for storage, you can consider adding a double garage for extra storage so you can reclaim the room you have in your house for space to play, read, sew or study.

According to the NewsOK article "Designing Your Home With Storage In Mind" by Annie Schwemmer and Ann Robinson, the Renovation Design Group said,

"Lack of storage is one of the most common complaints we hear in our architectural firm. The homeowners that come to us know their house isn’t working for them anymore. For one reason or another, they have decided it is time to remodel. Almost always, regardless of the motivations behind the remodel, clients explain to us that as part of the new design they want added storage."

It's never too late to analyze ways to make your home work better for you. Each home is different and each person's priorities are unique, so the solutions that will work for you may be different from anyone else, but never give up finding ways to enjoy the space you have in your home. For more ideas on how to make a new garage work for you, please contact us.

The Pros And Cons Of Prefabricated Garages

Your property is glorious. Landscaped down to the T, and you love it. But you could love it more. You stand there, gazing out at the vast rolling neatly trimmed grass and think to yourself, "I need a garage."

Many people think this, and then they find that they don't exactly have the time to build one. If this is the case, why not consider purchasing a prefabricated garage? As with anything, there are benefits and drawbacks unique to the process.

Pros:

• Large Variety - Readymade garages and sheds come in a host a different sizes, styles, and patterns. You can find almost anything that will suit you as well as match your home and property.

• Cost - As you can imagine, readymade garages are less costly than those built from scratch. Because you have the power over the design, material, and the finish, you can make decisions based on your budget.

• Ease Of Construction - Prefab garages arrive to your property in a kit. With a little help from a good friend you can easily follow the instructions and assemble your garage in a few hours.

Cons:

• Customization Options - While the option is there, choosing customization options will begin to raise the price of the basic pre-fabricated kit. If cost is your main reason for going prefab, this will be something to consider.

• Appearance - Finally, while prefab garages come in many different styles and appearances, they won't be quite as customizable as one that is stick-built.

Can you tell which one is prefab and which one is stick built?!

Always keep these things in mind when considering adding a prefabricated garage to your property. If you would like to know more about this topic, feel free to visit our website. Additionally, if you want to ask us a question directly we welcome you to contact us.

The Best Shed... Metal, Plastic or Wood?

If you are feeling a bit cautious about storage garages for sale, maybe you should be. 

What do you do when you run out of storage in your own home? As with any body that has more stuff than room, your options for getting more storage space are limited to adding on to your current house, which is an expense that most of us can't afford, renting a storage unit, which means that only being able to access your stuff whenever they are open and finally a storage shed which you can place on your own property. You're thinking about a storage shed and don't know where to start. There are so many choices out there and so many manufacturers but what is the right storage shed for your needs?

Now for some, adding on to their own homes means that they can build it up any way they want, it might not be just for storage. Extra rooms, a play area, a new bedroom or TV room. Building an addition to your house means planning, paying for permits, getting permission from a HOA (if there is one) and time. Renting a storage space means trusting someone else to look after your own stuff, as well as, having to take time from your busy schedule to run over to the storage facility, hoping that the item or items you're looking for are still there. Building or placing your own storage shed gives you the best of both worlds. You can access your storage anytime you want, build it any way you like and you can choose any style available. Storage sheds afford the home owner several options that they can exercise.

Metal Sheds

These are made from thin sheet metal panels, generally galvanized steel, aluminum or corrugated iron. Attached to a metal frame, metal sheds are good for long-term installations. Useful when fire, rot and pests are a concern. Metal can rust and corrode if you are using non galvanized steel. If you are planning on installing a metal shed, care should be taken when using a concrete floor. Concrete flooring is corrosive and can cause damage to panels that touch it. To over come this, use treated lumber on top of a concrete pad to keep the damage to a minimum.

Plastic Sheds

These are made from PVC and are less expensive than metal sheds. Easily constructed with plastic molded sides and roofs attached to a metal frame, the sheds are less susceptible to dent, weather rot and pests, requiring little to no maintenance and don't have to be maintained with a preservative to keep the rot out. Plastic sheds are also easy to expand, adding lights, sky lights, windows, extra storage and other accessories as you need. You need to also add in a floor such as concrete or wood and it needs to be purchased separately.

Wooden sheds

Wood sheds are a more natural, aesthetically pleasing shed. Stronger and more durable than vinyl or metal sheds, wood sheds need more maintenance than wood or vinyl. Rot, mildew, mold, split wood and other issues can cause problems with the wood shed if it is not treated and maintained consistently. Because wood is such an easy product to work with, adding accessories such as windows, trim, and extra storage is a little easier with wood sheds than metal or vinyl because you can use readily available tools and materials and wood is a renewable resource.

What it comes down to is this. What are your needs for storage? Do you require a large amount? Does it need to have a car port attached or do you just want to store a few things away for the holidays or special times of year? May be you just add a small unit to your yard so you can park your lawnmower and put gardening tools away. Some sheds require building permits because of their size, make sure that you have all the permits and permissions necessary to build a storage shed on your property.

To talk more about this, or anything else, as always, give us a call!  Call Us.

Four Ways A Two-Story Double Garage Will Enhance Your Home

Garages used to be a place that people stored and worked on their cars and not much else. But, that's not the case anymore, these days, garages are an extension of the home. A two-story double garage has so many uses beyond parking your car that it might just surprise you. The second floor could be converted into a video game room for the kids, a workshop, office or even a living space, and the list goes on.

Create Your Own Work Space

In most homes, it's hard to find the space to work on crafts, art or other projects from start to finish. If you're lucky, you'll be able to carve out a place in the basement where it's dark and cold. But the reality is you're not going to be inspired to get started and you certainly won't want to stay for long. You'll be much more creative and productive if you have your own private studio to work in. Plus, when you're finished for the day, you can leave everything right where it is so you can pick up where you left off.

A Quiet, Private Home Office

Whether you just need a place to balance your checkbook and pay your bills, or you work at home, you need a quiet place. It's nearly impossible to keep facts and figures straight with the television blaring, the kids hollering and the dog running around. Besides that, it's incredibly easy to lose an important document in all the chaos. With a private office that's separate from the rest of the home, you can rest assured that all your paperwork stays in order and that you'll stay focused.

Create Extra Living Space

In today's economic climate, it's common for adult children and their spouses to move in with mom and dad. Moving into their old bedroom might seem like a great idea, but, it's not quite the same as when they were a kid. Back then, you wanted to hear everything that was going on so you could assure their safety. As an adult though, privacy is incredibly important for them and you. Converting the second floor of your garage into an efficiency apartment is a great way to help them out without giving up any of your own space.

A Recreation Room for the Kids

Kids love to play air hockey or video games, but when they are with their friends things can get rowdy. And listening to all those noises can drive a parent crazy, after a while. Unless you've got sound proof walls, or they're wearing headphones, there's no way to avoid it. Or is there? The room above your new garage can be used for just that. There they can get as loud as they want and you will always know where to find them!

These are just a few of the ways that a two-story double garage can be used to enhance your home. We're quite sure you've got some fantastic ideas yourself. However, if you would like some more ideas, or if you have any questions, contact us . We'll be more than happy to help you.

The Dangers of Burning Wet Wood and Why You Need A Firewood Shed

Burning wood can be a cheap and efficient way to heat your home if done correctly, but burning wood that has not been properly dried and stored can be dangerous to your home, your family's health, and you wallet. There are numerous dangers involved in burning wet wood, listed below are a few of the top issues.

Burning Wet Wood Contributes to Chimney Fires

When wood is burned it releases hydrocarbon gases. Once heated to around 1100 degrees F, the gases mix with air and catch fire. When the fire in your fireplace smolders, unburned gases condense and deposit in the flue where they harden and turn to creosote. A cold flue and wet wood encourage this condensation. If this creosote catches fire, it can burn with so much intensity that the mortar will crumble and balls of flaming creosote will shoot out of the top of the chimney. In severe cases, the masonry in the chimney can expand with such force that sections of the chimney will blow out and explode into the home. 

Burning Wet Wood Can Create Health Problems

Burning wet wood creates far more smoke than burning wood that has been properly dried. Fine particles in the smoke enter your lungs and can cause heart and breathing problems. Children and older adults are most at risk. In fact, studies have shown that people who heat their homes with wood have more breathing problems than people who do not. Children in wood burning homes are also more likely to exhibit lung and breathing problems. 

Burning Wet Wood Actually Costs More Than Properly Dried Wood

When you add a wet piece of wood to your fire, the water in the wood turns to steam as it heats up. This steam mixes with the exhaust gas and extinguishes the secondary burn. This effect will actually cut your heat output by up to 50%. The result is you are forced to use more wood in an attempt to heat your home comfortably.

Burning wet wood is dangerous to your health and home. Wood should be stored for at least six months or ideally a year to be dry enough to burn properly. Dry wood creates a hotter fire with less work and less wood. The best way to properly dry wood is to use a firewood shed. A shed allows you to keep your wood dry and allows a large enough place to store cut firewood for at least six months. 

To find a firewood shed that is both useful and attractive, contact us. Our friendly staff will help you choose a shed that will keep your firewood dry and allow for maximum fireplace efficiency.

Attached vs. Detached Garages: The Great Debate

Short and sweet: here are six ways detached garages are a better idea. 

• Burglars beware: detached garages are less of a security threat. Not that we are hoping this happens, but if a burglar breaks into your garage They can't, necessarily, break into your home as well. If your garage is attached to the house, that left over thanksgiving turkey is looking pretty temping. 

• We all know it, exhaust gas and oil fumes aren't good for you. Keep those smells away from the house. If not, you may be dreaming of oil cans instead of sugar plums. 

• Privacy is a good thing. With a detached garage you can keep your man cave/workshop away from the house. Your wife will appreciate not hearing the game while she's cooking. 

• Trying to add an apartment? It's easier to add it over a detached garage. Plus, if it's not attached to the house it will be easier to rent it out when you're not using it. 

• The last and sweetest part of the deal: usually it is easier to obtain a permit for a detached structure. This can vary by state, but we have lots of resources to make getting your permits easier. 

Depending on the size of your lot, you could be limited as to how big an attached garage can be. For this reason, a detached garage on the back of your property might make better sense. In many cases, you also can build a larger structure, without compromising the look of your house. 

These are only a few solid reasons. We could go on for days why detached garages are far superior to attached garages, but if you want to hear more of them, give us a call. Contact us..