Garages have become more than just a place to house your vehicles and tools. Just do a drive-through of several neighborhoods on a weekend and note the variety and contents of the garages, it is amazing. The usefulness of a garage seems to be evolving from a storage place for junk that's waiting for the next garage sale to elaborate workshops, “man-caves” with flat screens, workbenches, adorned walls, elaborate shelving/storage units, finished or rubber flooring and so much more.
The American garage is quickly becoming the new hangout for neighbors’ social gatherings and cookouts. Kitchens, great rooms, patios, and decks continue to be popular but garages are quickly moving up the social ladder. As you drive through a neighborhood it’s not uncommon to see friends gathering to watch a game, parents sitting in lawn chairs at the edge of the garage door watching their kids play, or talking to neighbors as they walk by, or oftentimes you will see someone busy with a home improvement project. The possibilities for garage usages are endless.
If you’re considering making some changes to your garage or moving to a new house there are some basic things you might want to consider to have on hand depending on your garage layout and electrical provisions.
Suspended re tractable multi-outlet extension cords are a great way to save space yet still easily accessible when needed for a shop vac, small compressor, soldering iron, blowers, fans, and other power tools. They are inexpensive and easy to install. Suspended Retractable shop lights are handy when working on cars, or when you need additional lighting. Shop vacs are a vital garage accessory. There are many options available at various price points. You can get an elaborate wall-mounted system or portable ones with rollers that you can stow under a bench or shelving when not in use. The vac’s come in handy for cars, clean up after woodwork, or just cleaning up from a broken lightbulb, glass, or the dog’s fur pile accumulating in the garage.
Having a portable air compressor also comes in handy. Some homeowners use a lot of air tools so they opt for larger units that can be wall-mounted or come with wheels for easier movement. Most people only need a small portable 2-4 gallon tank. These are handy for inflating the kid’s bicycles, football, soccer, basketballs, and pool floats. Use a blower attachment to clean out fans, filters, or other household items that collect dirt and dust, but can be reused.
And of course nothing transforms a garage like the rubber/vinyl flooring and paint. There are so many materials readily available at the home improvement stores. YouTube can also provide some helpful ideas for this project.
Adding additional lighting doesn’t have to be a big deal requiring an electrician. Today’s LED lighting provides energy-saving brighter light that can be suspended over your workbench, shelving, or hung from the ceiling. And of course, Texas is famous for warm summer months, you may want to consider a decent size floor fan is a great way to control humidity in your garage, especially if you do not have garage windows or venting.
If your garage is not the largest single square foot space in your residence it is close. On 90% of homes, it is the single largest visible entryway.
Of course don't forget the importance of a functional, attractive, garage door. Many homeowners are considering the advantages of an insulated garage door. This will greatly assist with the climate control, and go a long way towards making your garage a much more practical room of your house. Of course, remember to always call the most trusted name in Garage Doors, Integrity Door Services, Customer satisfaction is first and foremost. Give Brin a call at 832-641-0402. He provides free estimates for new garage doors and with over 30 years in the garage door industry, he will be happy to help you find the solution that best fists your home and budget!
