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With a few tweaks, your garage could be an essential part of your home. By enhancing the garage walls, the flooring, and the door, you could greatly improve your house’s resale value. A finished garage can incorporate a number of features, from an updated garage door to improved walls, flooring, lighting, security, efficiency, and storage. There is much to do to make your garage more usable.
When thinking about the value of your home, it’s easy to forget the garage. However, garages can greatly increase the resale value of your home when they’re well maintained. The modernization hacks we’ll discuss here can not only make your garage vehicle-friendly, but also a space that can be a fully functional extension of your home.
What Is a “Finished Garage”?
A garage is not just a place to store your car. In fact, it may be the first part of your home a potential buyer sees. And although a new paint job can boost curb appeal and catch the eye, it does not fully define a finished garage. Turning your garage into a fully workable space can provide convenience for you and increase property value, as it can be used in any way the occupant wants. A finished garage has solid walls and can become a fully functional work area, office, shop, den, or playroom.
Here are a few tips to help you create the perfect finished garage.
Enhance the Walls
If you want to transform your garage into a viable living space, one of the first steps is to cover up unappealing garage walls. Your garage may have exposed insulation or visible wood beams. Use a combination of insulation and drywall to create new walls. Then paint them a cheerful color, or cover them with wallpaper. Adding finished walls is a creative way to enhance any garage.
Add Flooring
Most garages have concrete flooring. Concrete is a sensible choice for people who store cars in their garage, but over time it cracks and fades. If you intend to store cars in the garage but would like to upgrade your flooring, consider using a specially designed coating to cover the concrete. These coatings instantly make concrete look more attractive, and they are long-lasting and durable.
Adding an epoxy coating is an upgrade that will significantly extend the life of your concrete flooring. Epoxy coatings can handle lots of foot traffic; plus, they are water-resistant and easy to clean. There are numerous colors and textures to choose from to customize the look and mood of your garage. The coating will also give your floor an attractive sheen that is dust proof and requires only an occasional simple cleaning. But if you prefer an alternative to exposed concrete, you can install tiles, laminates, wood floors, or a carpet in your garage.
Add Storage
A cluttered garage doesn’t do anyone any good. Most people have too much stuff in their garage to even think of putting a car there. Historically, the purpose of a garage is to protect a vehicle, but you can maintain/restore this function and others by:
- Throwing out what you don’t need
- Getting rid of items that shouldn’t be there
- Sorting what you have
Storage Solutions
While these space-saving tips, and others, can work, there are numerous storage solutions to consider. The most advantageous ones include:
- Open Shelving: Often associated with modern kitchens, freestanding shelves make items easy to access and can be customized to your needs.
- Overhead Storage: Garages have plenty of ceiling space you can put to good use; purchase a storage solution or build your own to organize equipment, gear, or holiday decorations.
- Compact Storage: Install storage racks and hooks wherever there’s room for them, while pegboards have made a comeback, as they’re great for hanging tools and handheld equipment.
These versatile and durable storage options can help boost the function and value of your garage. For a more in-depth look, visit our garage storage guide.
Add a New Garage Door
A high-quality garage door is a good idea for anyone who plans to use their garage for leisure purposes. They can add an extra layer of insulation, which will keep the garage warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. High-end steel garage doors are an excellent choice, as they can be built with several layers of insulation and are available in a variety of styles. Wood garage doors are another good choice for people looking to add value to their home. They have a distinctive aesthetic that adds character to any home. If you’re not sure which type of garage doors are right for your home, you can consult with a professional offering garage doors in Las Vegas to learn more about the available options.
There’s a monetary benefit to installing a new garage door. Homeowners can get an estimated 83.7% return on investment (ROI) by replacing it, according to U.S. News and World Report in 2014. Remodeling’s 2019 Cost vs. Value Report noted that homeowners could see an ROI as much as 95.5%, a nearly full return on the installation cost when selling a home. Aside from the cost benefits, a new garage door:
Bolsters Security and Safety
New garage doors must comply with the most recent federal regulations. These set rules for everything from the design of automatic garage door openers to electronic sensors that detect objects in the way. If your garage door doesn’t have an auto-reverse feature, then it is not up to code and is a safety hazard. Newer models also have a closed-spring design that contributes to safety and that can be adjusted more easily. All you need are a drill or ratchet to turn a bolt without ever touching the spring.
Allows You to Save Energy
Any new homeowner can benefit from energy efficiency. After all, who wants to spend more on the bills after purchasing a home? New garage doors can be fitted with insulation to prevent heat from escaping your home and cooler air from leaking in. An insulated door means your HVAC system can work less yet keep your home just as comfortable. Efficient solutions can also help your heating and cooling system last longer, while electric bills don’t increase due to excess energy usage.
Helps to Increase Curb Appeal
Updating your garage door doesn’t only remove dents, scratches, and other visual distractions. You also have an opportunity to choose a door that matches your home’s façade or surroundings. For example, custom wood doors help accentuate the charm of Victorian and Colonial homes or houses in wooded areas. Aluminum and glass garage doors are more suited for modern houses. Be sure to match the color and material with the style and location of your home.
A new garage door can increase your home’s value by up to 4%. Plus, a garage door can last from 15 to 30 years. If you’ve recently installed the door, it’s a bonus for potential home buyers because they won’t have to pay to replace the door for possibly decades. Automatic garage door openers can last up to 15 years, so a recent installation here can add additional points for anyone looking at your home.
New garage doors offer other benefits too, as they tend to operate more smoothly, reliably, and quietly. These are great selling points. Another is that any new property owner will have fewer maintenance costs to deal with. Constant maintenance is a burden on your time and bank account. If a garage door is relatively new, the cost of maintenance is generally not much of a concern.
Get a Free Garage Door Estimate Today
Precision Door Service of Las Vegas installs and repairs garage doors and garage door openers with your satisfaction in mind. We’ll inspect your garage door system to ensure it’s operating safely. Our technicians always help you find the best solution, including top-brand garage doors that improve the curb appeal of your home and function of your finished garage. Call us at 702-637-2700 now for a free estimate and to discuss your options.
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