Learning All About Barn-Style Garage Doors

Posted on: 2 June 2015

The "green" trend is popular today because many people realize that they can save cash—as well as help the environment by switching things up a little. The garage is one area of the home that many people simply overlook, however a few upgrades can really make a difference. If you are interested in creating a more eco-friendly garage, start by following these four tips:

1. Double Check for Hazards

The garage is a hot spot for hazardous materials and chemicals because so many people store them in it—and it makes sense. However, you need to periodically check on these items to ensure that they are being stored correctly. If they are not stored properly, you may be leaking dangerous chemicals into the ground—and ground water.

When going through your garage, check to make sure the old items and chemicals are stored properly: motor oil, gasoline, chlorine, old electronics, paint thinner, and Freon. If they are stored correctly, but you haven't used them in the past six months you may want to consider getting rid of them. Just contact your local waste collection agency to determine the best way to discard these items.

2. Invest in a Green Garage Door

Standard garage doors usually aren't very eco-friendly. They are usually thin and weak, which means they leak hot and cold air easily. If you want to make your garage a little friendlier for the environment, invest in a door that is thicker such as metal or steel. You should also consider applying weather stripping and caulking to reduce air leakage.

If you want to go a step further, consider investing in an insulated garage door. These doors will hold air in much better, and will help cut down on your energy usage and costs.

3. Add Insulation

Another way to beef up your garage is simple: add insulation. As mentioned above, insulation will help protect your garage from harsh weather. It will also help keep it a moderate temperature year-round, which is good for the items you store in it. You can apply insulation yourself with some spray foam insulation, or hire a company to do it for you.

4. Switch the Light Bulbs

A simple, yet effective, solution to making your garage "greener" is to switch out the light bulbs. Energy-efficient light bulbs, such as LED or CFL options are quite affordable and make a big difference. Just purchase the new light bulbs, store them, and toss the old ones.

Creating a more eco-friendly garage might seem intimidating at first, but a few simple upgrades can make a big difference. Use these four tips to get started. To find more information, contact a company like Mike's Garage Doors.