Many people stuff their garage to the brim, filling that space with as much storage as possible, and then ultimately forgetting about those items. While it’s a great spot for that, problems can arise if the garage becomes over cluttered and those items begin to damage the garage door.

Garage door repairs can get out of control if you let them compile. Routine garage door maintenance and simple fixes could avoid an emergency, but unfortunately, hasty decisions, coupled with inadequate research can turn into high-cost service invoices.

The following tips can help you avoid garage door headaches. Here are five different ways to keep car garage door repair costs low.

Invest in Quality

Two garage door elements dictate costs:

• Door materials
• Quality parts

Chances are, your garage door is as old as your home and quite possibly outdated and inefficient. Consider better overhead garage door materials when replacing or upgrading your door. You should also replace the other parts when you are doing an overhaul to your door.

Always choose a garage door company offering quality materials and parts to save in the long-term. Cheap parts equal poor material and build quality. You’ll replace cheap parts often, creating a money sink.

Maintenance and Tune-Ups

Take time to check the garage door’s parts for wear and tear.

A simple lube job can extend the life of the garage door by preventing friction. This gives you enough time to research a quality garage door pro for the larger repairs.

DIY the “Easy Stuff”

Garage door parts are quite simple and inexpensive. You’re paying for the service when having the overhead door repaired. You can save a great deal of money by ordering parts and fixing small issues yourself.

DIY fixes could include:

• Re-bending or replacing misaligned tracks
• Swapping a damaged spring
• Re-aligning the safety sensors

Most parts range from $50 – $100 at hardware stores. You can find many garage door repair tutorials through blogs and YouTube. Be careful if you DIY, as garage doors are quite heavy and dangerous as you swap parts.

Become Educated about Garage Door Repairs or Replacement

As expected, nefarious people prey on distressed homeowners. Garage door scams are common during emergencies and natural disasters.

What happens?

• Outrageous service pricing
• Unnecessary repairs
• Costly, overpriced parts

Be wary of home repair red flags from individuals you can’t verify. Educate yourself about garage door workings to know if their quote is legitimate. Make repairs a priority, but don’t forgo due diligence else you may spend way more than expected.

Stay Safe

You advertise what’s in your home every time you open the garage door. Unbeknownst to you, are the prying eyes of potential intruders. The garage is a common entry point for burglars.

Burglars can cause costly damage to the door as they force their way inside. Avoid this by keeping watch and using quality garage door materials. A home security system can deter this costly occurrence, too.

Call Us when Garage Door Repairs are Too Much

Don’t have the elbow grease and patience to complete your DIY repairs? Does it look like your garage door repairs are going over budget? It’s time to call us.

We’ve provided North East Illinois with top-notch garage services for over 16 years. We’d love if you become our next, satisfied customer.

Give us a call, 847-625-999, or fill out our Contact Form. We’ll repair your garage door or garage door opener the right way, the first time.

Every homeowner wants great curb appeal, but not every homeowner knows how to accomplish it. There’s an art to curb appeal. Try too hard, and your house looks gaudy. Don’t try hard enough and you’re not doing your home justice. You need to find a happy medium, and one of the easiest things you can do is add new garage door lighting.

New lighting will add style and security to your home without costing a fortune or taking too much of your time.

Here are a few ideas you can use to dress up your garage and increase your home’s curb appeal.

Change Your Existing Fixtures of your Garage Door Area

This is the quickest, cheapest way to update your garage door lighting.

If you’re like most people, then you have the garage fixtures that your homebuilder, or previous owner, used. Chances are they aren’t the most stylish of fixtures for this day and age.

So, why not update them?

Choose a fixture that complements your garage door and the building materials of the structure. For example, if you have a brick garage, cast-iron lighting looks amazing. A quick internet search will yield you tons of cool pictures and ideas for lighting.

Use Uplights for a Dramatic Difference

Uplights are lights that point upward from the ground. They are a great way to highlight the architectural features of your home and garage.

Use uplights to showcase masonry work, pillars, or landscaping that you want people to notice. These lights can take a few tries to get the positioning right, so contact a designer if you need help. It’ll be worth it.

Downlights Create a “Moon” Effect

If you search for ways to light your home, you’ll come across the phrase “moon effect.” This means that the lighting has a natural feel to it as if the light was cast by the moon.

Downlights help you achieve this look by mimicking the moon’s light. When done correctly, it gives the area around your garage a soft, natural feel that is welcoming. People who visit your house at night will love it, and you will, too.

Try Gas Lighting

If you have natural gas, this is a chance to impress. You can find gas lighting anywhere, and it can add a real touch of class to any garage.

The initial upgrade will require a professional and may cost you a bit, but it’s worth it to see flames dancing on a summer night.

Of course, there are also electrical fixtures that simulate the gas light if you don’t want the real thing. The best part is, no one will be able to tell the difference.

Garage Door Lighting Done Right

When you find the right fixtures, and look for your garage door lighting, you’ll love how much it improves your curb appeal. You can make certain features stand out or hide others so that your garage door stands out in style.

For more help on garage door lighting ideas, contact us any time.

Would you like to know how to increase home value?

Increasing your home’s value doesn’t need to involve a massive renovation. If you’re planning on selling your home in the next few years, a few upgrades can go a long way.

Something as simple as landscaping can increase your home’s value by as much as 15 percent. Even if you’re not planning to sell right away, your home can stand out as a model in your neighborhood.

If you are willing to do a bit of work, there are a few creative ways you can add maximum value to your home.

Take an Objective View

Start by taking a real-world view of your property from the perspective of a buyer, or someone who is coming to your home for the first time.

What would you think about your home? Does it look run down or overgrown in spots? Are there colors that draw the eye?

Are the entryways inviting, or is there a balanced color contrast from the rest of the home?

By taking an objective view, you can learn very quickly how to increase home value and get the most from a few small changes.

Add Entry Doors That Are Inviting

Entry doors can make guests feel invited and welcomed into your home. They can also increase curb appeal.

When choosing new entry doors, you want to keep two things in mind: color and style.

The style of the door needs to match the architectural style you already have established. A modern home with a rustic country door probably won’t work.

Color can be used to provide a nice contrast between your home’s exterior and entryway. For example, if your house is a light natural color, a dark wood can be used to create an entry that is aesthetically pleasing.

Residential Garage Doors That Stand Out

Your entryway is an important aspect of curb appeal, and so are your garage doors. Overlooking them could mean a missed opportunity to increase your home’s value.

Similar to entry doors, you want to keep in mind the style and color for your garage doors. The garage door materials matter as well. The garage is often colder than the rest of the house, so you want to be sure that the doors are properly insulated.

Energy Savings Can Add Value

It’s not just curb appeal that can add value to your home, additional benefits like energy savings can do that too.

Doors are often energy leakers, so installing new insulated overhead garage doors can take care of that issue.

How to Increase Home Value

There are many ways you can increase your home’s value. You can do a major kitchen renovation, or take on a major landscaping project.

If you want to know how to increase value, look for simple projects with big rewards. Changing entry and garage doors can transform the entire look of your house. The new doors should also have insulation for the added benefit of energy savings.

Would you like to know how your home’s value can increase by adding new doors? Contact us today to find out!