Remodeling any part of your house can be hefty and expensive. So, you might want to avoid making mistakes to minimize the costs. However, remodeling a garage isn’t like a typical home makeover because it’s a special place that can be highly technical to function safely and efficiently. So, if you’re planning to start a DIY project for your garage, here are five things you should avoid doing.
Not Having a Good Remodeling Plan
Whether you’re planning to sell your house in the future or improve your living standard, having a good remodeling plan is essential. This will help you see how you would want your garage to look and know how to execute the plan. Also, having a proper plan gives you an idea of where to get the resources and tools you’ll need for the remodeling project.
Not having a good remodeling plan can be a disaster, especially if it’s your first time since remodeling a garage is not only about the aesthetics but also the electrical outlets, the lights, and the storage. Sometimes, you might need to open a wall to add more framing, and not having a good plan can ruin your garage rather than help you improve it.
So, once the idea of remodeling your garage comes to mind, you should plan it carefully. You can seek consultation with a professional to make your remodeling more efficient.
DIY-Ing Everything
DIY home makeover has become popular during the COVID-19 pandemic when people can’t leave their houses. While you can save a lot of money by doing everything yourself, you should understand that the garage might require special touches like cooling, heating, ventilation, etc. So, unless you know your way around these areas, it’s best to seek professional help.
Convex Mirrors and extra storage spaces might also need the help of a professional to install. As these things need extra expertise, you’re better off waiting for a professional installer to do it rather than doing it yourself and risking irreparable damage to your items.
Taking Insulation for Granted
You should understand that your garage is like an extension of your home, and to properly regulate indoor temperatures, you should also have proper insulation in this area. Not having enough insulation in attached garages can make it difficult to heat the rest of your house. After all, this area can let the heat escape. However, if done right, you can expect lower electricity bills because less energy is used to heat your home.
On the other hand, you should plan how much insulation you’ll need in the garage because it’s easy to over and underestimate. Depending on how you’ll use this particular area, you should carefully plan your insulation.
If you think you’ll be spending a lot of time here, going out of your way to insulate this space to maintain a comfortable temperature would be okay. However, if you have a detached garage and the sole purpose of the area is to only use it for parking and storage, then the expenses might not be worth it.
Overlooking Ventilation
If you plan to use the garage as your storage, proper ventilation can be a huge relief to your stored items. Although active ventilation isn’t required by law, many homeowners neglect this. Ventilating allows your garage to “breathe” and prevents humidity that causes mold and rust. Aside from that, it also lets out toxic fumes from your vehicles and keeps fresh air circulating through the area.
There are several ways to improve ventilation in the garage. A few options to consider are adding roof vents like ridge vents that you can install on the roof so that warm air goes out through this while fresh air flows in. Ceiling fans should be a good option as well. Still, you should coordinate with an expert to execute the plan properly.
Not Installing Flexible Storage Systems
Your garage is an excellent place to store many things, and having enough storage for your future needs is vital. While this is important, a lot of homeowners still fall for this common mistake. Still, it’s tricky to anticipate how much storage you’ll need in the future. So, your best choice is to install a garage system that allows you more space and flexibility.
For instance, a slatwall storage system is a highly versatile addition to your garage. You can easily rearrange the items you want to hang on the panels, giving you different ways to configure your storage as much as possible. Also, you can find additional accessories to upgrade the wall.
Another option you can consider is an overhead storage rack. This should also give you considerable storage flexibility. On top of that, consider investing in a storage rack that can be adjusted.
Final Thoughts
Your garage is an important extension of your home. Hence, you must also emphasize this area as much as your other living spaces. Plan how to execute your plan and find the best experts and areas to coordinate. Don’t settle for less, but with what could help you live more comfortably.
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