5 Ways to Update Your Home Garage

1) Automatic garage door closer

If you have an automatic garage door opener, why not an automatic garage door closer to go along with it? I have had mine for several years and it still works perfectly. The peace of mind alone is worth every penny I spent. It’s no secret that a garage door left open overnight, or while you’re out during the day, is an open invitation for thieves of all kinds. With an automatic closer, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your garage is secure. They are very easy to install with an existing opener and can usually be programmed to close within two minutes to an hour after the door has been opened. Plus, they have a separate override button in case you want your garage door open for an extended period of time. Adding an automatic closer is one of the best things you can do for your garage.

2) Parking Guide

It is not common to find a variety of parking lot scratches and bruises in residential garages. One of the most popular remedies is the old tennis ball on a string hanging from the ceiling trick. This is a time-tested remedy that works, but modern solutions also exist. Introduce proximity and laser parking guidance. Laser guides are usually attached to the ceiling at or near the garage door opener. When the door is opened, the laser activates and ignites a beam. All you have to do is align the beam with a particular point on your dashboard when your vehicle is already parked. Then, every time you stop, let the preset beam show you where to stop. You can get a single laser or a dual laser depending on the needs of your garage. Proximity sensors, unlike lasers, are mounted on the wall that you approach when you park in your garage. With these, you simply preset the distance between your bumper and the sensor. Then, when you get close, the sensor will tell you when to stop. Some models even act like a traffic light, with a yellow caution light, followed by a red stop light.

3) Floor covering

Garage floor liners are not only practical, they really make a difference to the overall appearance of your garage. When it comes to coatings, there are many different types, including garage floor paint, epoxy, tile, and mats. Painting is certainly the least expensive method, but also the most maintenance method. The paint will protect and make your garage look much better, but you’ll need to add a new coat probably once a year. Epoxy is similar to paint, but it is thicker and much more durable. It will give your garage floor that showroom look you find at many dealerships. Epoxy will cost you more than paint, and you’ll also have to do more prep work, but the result will be worth the extra cost and effort. You can also opt for professional installation, as most retailers offer the service. Garage floor tiles and mats are also options to consider. Tiles are usually 16 by 16 inches and you can get them in a variety of colors. They interlock with each other to hold everything together and will make your floor look absolutely amazing. Mats come in many different shapes and sizes to suit your needs. Basically, they are designed to contain automotive fluids and all the dirt that your vehicle drags.

4) pegboard

Pegboard is nothing new to home garages. However, there are many modern and innovative shelves, hooks, bins and bins that fit pegboard. You can find these items at any home improvement center. You can use them for lawn and garden tools, household items, winter clothing, hand tools, etc. Pegboard is the most versatile type of organizer you can use. The basic pegboard is a bit flimsy, but you can make it stronger by adding more supports when you put it together. You can also paint it to match your garage theme. There are also other types of pegboards, such as plastic and metal pegboards, which are available in different colors. Of course, they are a bit more expensive, but they are also stronger, so you can use them to store heavier items. No matter what type of pegboard you use, it will help you control clutter, which is one of the most common problems in residential garages.

5) Light switch

Another way to modernize your garage is to upgrade your light switch to one that illuminates when the lights are off. This eliminates fumbling for the switch while bending over and keeps the front door open so there is enough light to find the switch. Even better, it’s inexpensive and easy to do yourself. With a basic knowledge of electricity, all you have to do is turn off the breaker that feeds the breaker and connect the new breaker in the same way. There are no extra cables to worry about. The end result is a soft orange glow that’s easy to spot in the dark. Another option is to add motion sensors to your garage lights so they turn on as soon as you open the door. You can even get motion bases that screw into standard sockets. Once installed, all you have to do is screw in the bulb as usual. This is a smart way to have motion activated lighting without having to do any wiring.