Garage doors have come a long way from the simple, utilitarian doors of the past. Drivers had to step out of their vehicles to open or close their garage doors, not a long time ago. This was a real hassle, especially for people living in cramped, smaller spaces. Luckily, advancement in technology has led to numerous changes in garage door design. Today, there are dozens of different varieties of garage doors available to choose from and these modern garage doors are far more convenient to install and use than ever before.
Up and over doors, swing hung roll up garage doors, roller garage doors, and sectional garage doors are the most popular types of modern garage doors today. Each of these different kinds of garage doors has their own characteristics as well as advantages and disadvantages. You may choose one type of garage door or another depending on your needs and preference.
Roller garage doors are best suitable for smaller garages or in houses with little space. It’s also a good choice if the alleyway leading from your garage is narrow or you want to use the space for another purpose. This type of garage door simply rolls into a cassette installed above the entrance. The roller-type door is also remote controlled for your convenience. Roller garage doors are usually made from narrow strips of light metal, such as aluminum.
Meanwhile, overhead garage doors are suitable for garages with bigger spaces. This type of door is also called up and over because it is made of one piece and swing up to open. Because of this, you will need space to open and close this garage door. Sectional garage doors are similar to roller garage doors but have bigger sections. This type of garage door can be made of various materials such as PVC, metal (usually aluminum or composite materials. Sectional garage doors can also accommodate windows.
Swing hung doors are the classic type of garage gate on the other hand. This type of garage door can be very elegant and stylish but they are suitable for bigger spaces because they need space around them. Installing a swing-hung door is definitely worth considering because this type of door is not only elegant but also quite durable, lasting for many years if your garage has ample space.
Automatic prefab garage doors are fast becoming a popular trend these days. That’s because this type of garage doors can look stylish and elegant but are still relatively less expensive than other types of garage doors. Moreover, an automatic prefab garage door is very easy to use and have security features and other options. The automatic prefab garage door comes with a rolling system: the door is simply rolled up and stored in a case along the roof of the garage, similar to a roller garage door. This type of garage door work smoothly and quietly. It is also quite easy to install, you can even Automatic prefab garage doors are fast becoming a popular trend these days. That’s because this type of garage doors can look stylish and elegant but are still relatively less expensive than other types of garage doors. Moreover, an automatic prefab garage door is very easy to use and have security features and other options. The automatic prefab garage door comes with a rolling system: the door is simply rolled up and stored in a case along the roof of the garage, similar to a roller garage door. This type of garage door work smoothly and quietly. It is also quite easy to install, you can even do it yourself. This makes it a convenient and affordable garage door choice.
ARA – As days grow shorter and temperatures become cooler, it means the inevitable is just around the corner: everything that came out of your garage this spring needs to go back in before winter rolls around. That means you need to find room for the gardening supplies, the patio furniture, the sandbox toys and more. Not to mention corralling all the tools that you’ve used throughout the summer to tune up the bikes, fix the swing set and put together the new picnic table.
If you’re wondering where it’s all going to go, maybe it’s time to spend part of the weekend creating some order in all that chaos. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Divide and conquer
Start by separating the clutter in your garage into piles. For example, all snow shoveling equipment (shovel, ice scraper, salt) should be together, all sports paraphernalia goes in another pile, lawn care items in yet another pile … you get the picture. This will give you an idea of what you’re dealing with in terms of organizing.
Be sure to have a “throw it out” pile and a “donate it” pile. Throw away broken toys, almost empty cans of paint, and rusty garden tools. Donate sports equipment your kids have outgrown or that extra lawn edger.
A place for everything
Now you know what you need to store. Home improvement stores are a good place to start. Look for storage systems that match your needs. If your family owns bikes, consider hooks designed to hang them from the ceiling or a vertical bike rack to get the bikes off the floor and create more space. A tall storage cabinet provides a place to put out-of-season toys and tools. Shelving units or wall-mounted cabinets supply a convenient spot for sporting equipment.
Take care of your tools
For many homeowners, the garage doubles as a work area. If your tools have become scattered over the summer, or if they’re in a pile on your workbench, now’s the time to corral them. A pegboard and a good tool chest will help keep tools safe and handy. Waterloo Industries, the world’s largest manufacturer of tool storage products for professionals and do-it-yourselfers, has a variety of high-quality options.
“Our Shop Series is perfect for use in the garage or workroom,” says Mark Ryan, senior product manager at Waterloo. The line includes tool chests, tool cabinets, and tool centers in varying sizes and drawer configurations to fit any need. “These types of products are popular with the ‘weekend warriors,” those individuals who love getting their hands dirty once Saturday rolls around.” There are units that offer a bulk storage area for those large items or power tools. Many chests offer split drawers for all your small hand tools as well as a roomy top tray. If you’ve found that your tools have multiplied over the summer, and you’ve outgrown the storage in your current chest and cabinet, why not consider adding an intermediate chest to expand your tool storage capacity? Intermediates are available in most categories and stack in between your chest and cabinet to help organize your tool clutter.
Start with a clean sweep
Before you start putting all your organized stuff back into the garage, take the time to sweep the floor and hose it down to get rid of accumulated dirt and dust. If your car has been leaking oil, use a product made for this problem to get it cleaned up as well.
With a little time and compartmentalizing, it will be easier than ever to find what you’re looking for, your garage will seem roomier and it will be a more pleasant place to work.
You’ll find a wide array of tool boxes and other tool storage ideas at hardware and home improvement stores such as Sears, Menard’s and other retail outlets.