You might be one of millions who feels that their well-insulated and weathertight garage door provides two simple benefits: It will keep the sounds from outdoors to a minimum and it prevents the garage from becoming an ice box in the winter and oven in the summer. While these are true, there are so many other ways that such doors can improve your home and allow you to maximize the use of the garage. After all, if you park outside and turn on the heat, you can use a garage in a multiple number of ways. Here are ten fantastic ways installing a weathertight and insulated garage door will boost the use of your garage space.
A play space for kids or teens
If you live in an area where winter weather strikes, you know the “joys” of cooped up kids. Why not turn the entire garage area into a place where they can burn some steam, energy and even seasonal frustrations? After all, with a proper insulated and weathertight door, it keeps everything dry and warm. No so, ice or mud will keep them inside or get dragged in when they try to play. The heating and insulation keeps things cozy and comfortable and your kids can play ball, table games, ride bikes or roller skate safely throughout the worst winter months.
A space for you to work
Warm in the winter, cool in the summer, the garage with an insulated door can become the best workspace imaginable. Whether you are doing an outdoor project or indoor repair, some crafts or hobbies, with such controllable conditions, you can enjoy the use of the space at all times – and the added bonus of insulation means you create no noise pollution even when using power tools.
A space for you to play
Whether it is you that is the “creative” one or someone in your household, you can rely on the extra space in the garage as a year round studio or creative space. The painter, potter, photographer or creative types will be able to go outside of the home, yet remain comfortable, warm and safe. They can make as big a mess as needed, store all kinds of materials, and yet none of it crowds the inside living spaces.
A space for pets
Dogs and cats may be animals, but they shouldn’t be exposed to harsh winter weather for prolonged periods. That quick walk or a little bit of time outdoors to prowl is one thing, but you can turn a well insulated garage into a large and roomy spot for everything from obedience training and playing to a comfortable place for the litter box. Put down some carpeting, add some bedding and food or water dishes, and your pets have a retreat from cabin fever season too, and if you are also using the garage for other purposes, this allows the dogs or cats to hang out with you!
A space for everyone
Whether you have a one or two car garage, with weathertight and insulated garage doors you can also convert that space into a party room or home theatre. Today, it is easy to get projection screens and systems. Most homes have WiFi, and it becomes super easy to make this a perfect spot to gather for the big game, weekly movie nights or just to enjoy a bit of fun with friends when the house itself is a bit too small. Add a mini refrigerator and some furniture, and you have a comfortable party space.
A space for all of that stuff
You have probably seen that paid storage facilities offer climate controlled areas, and this is for a good reason – it is important. Everything from family photos and important papers to materials used for home-based businesses need to be in spaces that are dry and kept at consistent temperatures all year long. Why pay for that when you can opt to keep everything under lock and key at home? With a good set of insulated doors on the garage, you can put up some durable storage shelves and know that your belongings or materials are going to be kept in optimal conditions.
A space for that home business
And while we are on the subject of working from home, the self-employed need to have at least a small, dedicated work space to do their job properly. A corner of the living room, the dining room table when no one is home, or that awkward closet space in the guest room just don’t cut it, and that makes the garage the next best thing. When the doors are insulated and weathertight, you can run heating or air conditioning as needed, forget all about loud noises from outdoors, and enjoy a secure and comfortable spot to call your “office” all year long.
A space for big jobs
Home improvements don’t come to an end just because the snow is flying and the temperatures plummeting. Most homeowners find themselves tackling a lot of the inside jobs during the winter months in order to have time to do the outdoor improvements in good weather. Of course, it is rare that you can do things like cutting long lengths of moulding or paneling right there where it has to be installed. If you are like many, you might have to setup outside and this puts both you and the materials at risk. After all, cutting tile with a wet saw in the middle of winter and outdoors is not wise or fun. Nor is trying to take an eight foot piece of sheetrock or ten feet of moulding and cut it in the room it is to be hung. Instead, you can use a heated and climate controlled garage to do the messy, noisy and awkward jobs in a huge and open space.
A space for messy or smelly jobs
Have you ever stained a piece of furniture or sanded something using power tools? In both instances, it is better when you can do such things outdoors or in well-ventilated spaces. Unfortunately, winter months means doing such things inside. This is why you will want to consider updating a garage door if you are a summertime garage sale or flea market fan who finds things to stain, paint, or improve.
A space for the car
Naturally, the garage is mostly designed for the car, and yet it is also supposed to be a dry and relatively warm space to yield the best results. After all, you might have diesel vehicle or you may prefer to get into a car without a popsicle for a steering wheel. The garage is going to allow your vehicle to be ready to use and remain in better condition over the years and seasons.
So… how are you using your garage?
We may have missed many ways that people put garages to use. If so, share them with us! We want to hear about the innovative, creative and unique ways that people are using properly insulated garages to improve their home, and as an extension of living or working spaces.
Maybe reading about this has inspired you to update your garage door or doors. If so, contact us at 1-800-409-3667. We will be able to guide you in the process, helping you make the best choice based on the ways you currently use or intend to use your garage.
Please feel free to visit our showroom as well. We are more than happy to walk you through the many different styles of garage doors in order to help you choose a model that works well with the design of your home. If you want to get off to the best start, begin with a glance through our image gallery for inspiration. We also make an online Design Centre that allows you to “test” garage doors before making a choice. Once you have some ideas, just send us a request for an online quotation.
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