The time of the year when we throw out one calendar and replace it with a new one is a great time to form new habits and (hopefully) become a better person. That’s right, I’m talking about New Year. Rather than penning down the same old New Year’s resolutions that you do every year, why not try something different this time. The garage is typically one of the most neglected parts of any home, so it seems that New Year is a great time to give it some love. That doesn’t necessarily mean a new garage door installation or costly garage door repair (although it might). Some of the things that you could do to “level up” your garage can be relatively minor and inexpensive.
We see hundreds of garages in and around Littleton every single year, so we know what people struggle with, and we’ve put together a list of garage door related New Year’s resolutions that should benefit most people.
Now I’m not saying you should attempt to do everything on this list; you shouldn’t. Pick which ones you think are realistic and then shoot for those. A good New Year’s resolution is one that you’re going to actually try to attempt, not one that is little more than just another scribble on a piece of paper that ends up being tucked away in some drawer.
Anyway, enough of that. Here are some ideas for you to chew on...
1) A Good Old Fashioned Clear Out
9 out of 10 homeowners in Littleton have a bunch of rubbish that has been sitting in the garage for months or even years that they'll never use again. It's just sitting there, gathering dust.
But no more! Now is the time for change. Use the turn of the year to clear out everything that’s unwanted from your garage and donate/recycle/dispose of it. While you’re at it, give the entire surface area of your garage a thorough clean, from the floor to the ceiling.
Another good thing to do while you have your sleeves rolled up is to install some storage solutions that will help you keep your garage space tidier going forward. Racks, shelving and storage bins are all good ideas.
2) Repair or Replace that Tired Looking Door
If you've been putting off doing anything with that tired old garage door for a year or two, now's the time to take action. You might not have to replace it. You'd be amazed at what a thorough cleaning, removing patches of rust, and a lick of paint can do. It can transform the way it looks and improve the appearance of your entire home (garage doors do take up a lot of visual real estate). And remember, first impressions count if you are ever in the situation whereby you want to sell your house.
Of course, if your garage door is beat up and no longer up to the task of keeping the weather and potential thieves out, now is the time to take action and arrange for that new garage door installation.
3) Be Proactive With Your Garage Door Maintenance
As a garage door repair company that has operated in Littleton for close to 25 years, we can tell you that many times when clients call us in need of repair, the issue is a direct result of a lack of routine maintenance.
While it might seem like a pain to dedicate 10 or 15 minutes of your Saturday morning to check in on your garage door (and opener), this can save you a whole lot of trouble, frustration and expense further down the road.
So this year, find the time to check the tracks, lubricate the moving parts and tighten the screws every few months. And don’t forget to call your local garage door repair company to schedule in a more intensive check-up every one to two years.
4) Install a Garage Door Opener
If you don’t already have one, installing a garage door opener is going to be a game-changer for you. You might think that having resisted the temptation to buy one for the last several years, you've saved yourself a packet. And you undoubtedly will have saved yourself a bit, but the number of benefits you've missed out on in that time probably…I mean definitely, outweighs that cost-saving.
As soon as you have one fitted, you'll never look back. The convenience you'll instantly gain, the time and energy-saving of not having to open and close the door yourself, the ability to provide remote access to your garage (useful for deliveries), the added safety of not having to support the weight of the garage door…the list honestly goes on.
Make this year the year!
5) Properly Insulate Your Garage Space
The garage is often a place that homeowners don't like to spend too much time because of the conditions. It's either too hot or too cold, depending on the time of the year. But this is something you can definitely do something about. If you improve the insulation on the walls, floor, ceiling and door, the interior temperature of your garage can remain at a comfortable level year-round.
Make This Year a Great One for Your Garage
If you’re in Littleton or anywhere close by and you want some garage-related advice, whether it's about the door, an opener or something else garage-related, we'd be happy to have a chat with you. Contact our team to schedule Littleton garage door repairs and installations today.