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If you spend a lot of your time at home in your garage or if you want a clean and organized garage, you need a few gadgets. Garage gadgets come in many forms and for different purposes.

For example, a stoplight for parking may come in handy for someone who has a problem with depth perception or comes home late from work and is very tired. If you have such problems, you need this tool. It is easy to install and use, and it helps you park the car in the same spot every time the motion sensors are triggered.

If you need space on the walls next to the door, you can mount a garage door opener on the ceiling above the door to eliminate chains.

Bike storage is ideal in a garage for “hanging” your bike on a wall, so you have easy access to it with the advantage of having more clear space in the garage.

If you have many more items in your garage than you really have Room for or the walls are full of shelves and cabinets, you definitely need additional storage devices like an overhead storage system mounted directly on the ceiling.

How Much Will It Cost To Enclose Your Carport So It Will

How much will it cost to enclose your carport so it will be a garage?
If you live in the southern United States, there’s a good chance that your house has a garage because back in the ’60s and 70’s builders were trying to save money any way they could, so instead of investing additional money in a garage door and door opener, they built carports.
If you want a garage’s security and privacy and you currently have a carport, I have good news. You can enclose a carport very easily and for less money than you might think.
Before you run to the Home Depot to buy the materials, there are a few things that you need to consider first.
It would be best to look at your carport to determine how many walls you will need to build. If your carport is enclosed except for the back, then you will only need to build one wall, and your job will be much easier and less expensive.
It’s pretty obvious if you need to build one wall or two. All you need to do is look at your carport and see if your carport’s back and one side are open. If they are, then you will have to build two walls instead of one. If you only have one side open, you will need to build one wall, and your costs will be significantly lower to do the work.
But don’t get discouraged if you have to build two walls because the good news is that you don’t have to add a roof or foundation. These areas are the most expensive parts of any structure. So when I say two walls double your cost, it does not total up to more than $400 – $600 extra.
Once you’ve decided how many walls you need to build to enclose your carport, then you are ready to develop an estimate of what it will cost to complete your project.
Estimating the cost of your project is really easy. First, you need to make a list of the materials that you will need and then send your list to a local lumber yard to get prices.
Here are some items that you will need to convert your carport into a garage:
2 x 4’s or 2 x 6’s- for studs in walls
Pressure-treated 2 x 4s – for the bottom of the wall (bottom plate)
Garage door complete with track and opener
CDX plywood or chip board-for sheathing (to enclose garage)
CDX plywood, pegboard, etc. – for the inside of wall insulation
Vinyl siding or brick veneer
Once you get the materials’ price, add approximately 25% for profit, and don’t forget to add tax for your area.
Now you need to calculate how much time (labor) it will take to enclose your carport. The number of hours needed will depend on how complicated your project is. You can reasonably expect the project to take 3-4 days for 2-3 men. A good framing carpenter should easily be able to frame and sheath your project at this time. You can use $30-35 per hour for each working hour that is worked.
Get a price from a garage door installation company to install the garage door because it requires expertise and special knowledge for the garage door to operate properly. It will be worth the money you pay them, trust me.
Next, you need to call a garage door company to get a price to provide and install the garage door. A garage door can be a little tricky to install, and you don’t want to take a chance to install it incorrectly and have it come down on your car or injure somebody. You’ll be glad you hired a pro to do this part of your project. You don’t save much money anyway because they get wholesale pricing on the doors, and you won’t.
All you have to do now is add the labor, materials, subcontracted cost (the garage door installation), and the profit. You will get a good picture of how much the project to enclose your garage will cost.
If you have a contractor do the work turnkey for you, expect to pay from $3000 to $8,000 depending on what area of the country you are in and your house’s construction.

Home Security

It is a well-known fact that satisfactory lighting is a very valuable deterrent to crime. Whatever lighting might help reduce your risk of becoming a victim, the right lights, utilized properly, will be the effective deterrent to burglars and other intruders and improve your home security.
Exterior:
Outside lights are critically important, especially near doorways and at the rear of your residence, where break-ins typically occur. All-round security lighting set-up high, out of reach, and tamper-proof will greatly improve your home security and protect your home.
Lighting in carports and garages is critical. An automatic garage opener is the best choice. All the best garage door openers fitted today use a light that operates when the opener is activated, lighting the garage interior. It’s best to leave a light on permanently in carports, have a light on a timer, or use a motion sensor to activate the light.
It is best to use a motion detector on all exterior lights that are not left switched on. The principal benefit of this for home security, especially in the backyard, is that the light warns you that someone is in your yard. When there can be some problem that dogs, cats, or even birds will trigger the sensor and cause the lights to come on, if you set the sensor’s sensitivity right, this will not be an issue. In the front yard, any lighting type will be efficient, but make sure that the lighting design covers the entire front and sides of the home. Sensors can be utilized. However, they will be prone to “false alarms” induced by things like people walking down the sidewalk or kids playing.
Inside:
Whenever you go out for the evening, I suppose that, like most people, you leave a light on. The Police call these lights “burglar beacons.” A burglar beacon is a single light left on, so you do not return to a dark home when you get back.
Regrettably, these lights are a sign for the burglar that you are out. When you go out for the evening or away on holiday, make certain several lights are left on in different parts of the home. Furthermore, a radio, put them on timers, from the exterior your house should look as if someone is home at all times to improve your home security.
That’s it for this time; in the next article, we will look at sorting out the doors on your home.

How to Keep Your Home Secure Without Spending a Dime

Source: Flickr

Your home is your castle, and your family your greatest asset, so you want to keep everything safe. But if you’ve priced home security systems lately, you might have felt your bank book cringe.

I’m not going to tell you not to buy an alarm system, but if you’re not at a point where you can invest thousands of dollars, and you want to do a few things to make your home safer, this article is for you.
I will give you a list of tips you can use to make your home safer without spending any money.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that burglars are lazy. Like most people, they want the highest reward with the least possible risk and effort. The more challenging you can make your house appear, the more likely the burglar will pass on by and pick on somebody else (or–let’s hope–go away altogether). So, how do you make your home appear secure without screeching alarms, video surveillance cameras, barbed wire fences, and a yard full of Dobermans?

Here are your tips:
Trim shrubs back from doors and walkways (this ensures would-be thieves don’t have any shadowy nooks to hide in).

Lock your storage shed and don’t leave tools out in the yard (burglars can use ladders, shovels, etc., to gain access to your home).

Keep the lawn mowed and the house’s exterior maintained (a downtrodden appearance can suggest you are away from home a lot or that you don’t care enough to worry about your house).

Plant thorny shrubs beneath first-story windows (if you wouldn’t want to climb through a tangle of thorns to reach an open window, chances are a burglar won’t either).

If an outdoor light burns out, change it right away.
Don’t display your valuables conspicuously (i.e., huge plasma TV on a living room wall visible from the street), as this only tempts thieves.

When you make new purchases (such as said plasma TV), please don’t leave the boxes by the curb to announce your valuable acquisitions–break boxes down and stuff them in your recycling bin.

Don’t store house keys under the doormat, a rock, etc. (thieves are wise to all the tricks–if you always lose your keys, consider a fingerprint-activated lock instead).

Keep tree branches trimmed back from windows and your roof.
Ensure the garage doors are sturdy (no loose panels or damaged corners), especially if the garage is attached to the house.

Check your garage door opener if you haven’t changed it from the factory setting. There’s usually a row of 10-12 switches. If all except one is pointing the same direction, the combination is easy to break (the thief has a 1 in 10 or 1 in 12 chance of getting it).

Always shut and lock your doors when you leave the house.
Hopefully, these tips will help you make your home less of a target. Remember, home security is as much a matter of employing common sense as it is a bunch of expensive gadgets and gizmos.

Garage Door Openers–Buy The Best Garage Door Opener Only

Buying the right garage door opener has not never been simpler. Whether you want to buy one for residential use or commercial use, read the tips below and buy the garage door opener, which ideally suits you.
Also, opening the garage door opener has been a big problem until now, but the new technology now ensures that it’s no more a big problem.
Electric power is the most extensively used fuel for opening the garage door opener.
Also, what will you do when the power fails. Although not a routine problem but who will predict the ever-unpredictable weather changes, lightning, and more.
If the power failure is your problem and it’s a recurrent problem, we recommend 2500/3500 – DC Motor Belt Drive with EverCharge Battery Backup System. It’s made by the Liftmaster professional. It can work for full 20 cycles 24 hours a day. Now no more outing in the bad weather just because your garage door opener fails to open.
Also, the new addition has been the new motion-detecting control panels built by many leading companies now.
Consider the warranty for all these garage door openers. Always enquire if it has a lifetime warranty. There is a lifetime warranty on the belt and motor only but not on the battery, which may have a warranty for 1-3 years.
Commercial Vs. Residential Garage door openers
Commercials are used many times a day, but residential may be used not so often. Therefore, we highly recommend that while selecting a commercial garage door opener, always go for the more heavily built and extremely durable one.
You have belt-drive, screw drive, and chain drive models. So select the one most ideal for you.
The last aspect I want to cover is who will fit it?
You have 2 options here. You can use it either for it yourself if you have the time and patience to do it or hire a professional to do the job for you.
Visit our site www.garage-dooropeners.com for all the information on garage door openers and use our resource center to make the best buying decision.

Security And Your Garage Door Opener Remote

You’d be right to be concerned about security with your wireless garage door opener and remote. An intruder can access your garage contents or even your home if you don’t follow some simple security steps.

Different radio frequencies are used for communication between the remote and the opener. Tiny switches known as dip switches are used to adjust the frequency used between the two. It is a wise idea to reconfigure the dip switch settings to make sure your garage more secure.

A dip switch is a small block of plastic about the size of a dice cut in half. They are usually colored blue or red with 8 to 10 tiny white switch levers positioned up or down. Only when the up / down switch patterns match on both devices will your garage door opener remote control be able to communicate with the opener unit. By adjusting the switch pattern, you are changing the radio frequency used to communicate between the two.

You should easily locate the dip switch on the opener and the remote control clicker. But to get access to the dip switch on the remote, you might need to open it up if the dip switch isn’t found in the battery compartment. Remove the screws holding the remote together, or carefully pry it apart if there are no screws. Once you have access to the dip switch on the remote, scramble the switch positions, and then match the openers dip switch block’s positions. It does not matter what the pattern looks like, so long as it’s a random pattern that would be difficult for someone to guess.

If you have trouble getting the remote to work after doing this, verify that the dip switch patterns are the same on both units. Then check the remote battery is in good condition, and as usual, make sure the opener has power and operates normally using the control panel inside your garage. You might have to read the manual if all else fails.

If you are thinking of getting a new garage door opener or having already gotten one, you will want to change settings to make sure everyone is honest. Don’t forget, your installer or anyone working with him knows your frequency switch settings unless you change them. So go ahead and mix up the switch pattern settings and test that it works.

Even if you are a garage door opener installation do-it-yourself type, you’ll want to make the same changes. Don’t just stay with the factory default settings. If you did, then anyone could drive down your street with a compatible remote until he finds a door that opens and gives access to your home. Make sure that’s not you.

This advice also applies to anyone buying or renting a new home too. Like you might change the lock to guarantee no spare keys are floating around that could compromise your home security. You have no way of knowing how many previous residences there might have been. And you wouldn’t want someone to walk right into your garage or home.

National Security Expert Offers Tips For After-School Safety

Smart parents know to do their homework today when it comes to home safety and security during the school year, especially if kids are coming home to an empty house.

“With more kids today ‘home alone,’ there really are some golden rules parents should follow to make the home a safe and secure place,” said Bob Stuber, nationally acclaimed security expert, whose work with kids and safety issues has landed him on countless national TV shows, including “Oprah,” “The View” and ABC’s “Primetime.”

Bob Stuber’s Home Safety

And Security Tips For

After-School Safety

• Motion Lights: Install motion detectors that activate lighting for the garage, patio, walkway, or backyard. At certain times of the year, days are shorter and in some areas, it can be dark when kids get home from school.

• Automatic Timer Lights and/or Remote-Controlled Lighting: Install automatic light timers on lamps inside the home and set them to activate prior to your child’s arrival. For a high-tech twist: Chamberlain’s Remote Light Control can be programmed to work with the garage door opener remote control and can activate a light or appliance, such as a TV or radio, as your child approaches the house.

• Safe Escape: Designate a “safe place” in your home where your child can go in case of bad weather or a home break-in. This can be a closet, bathroom, or any other space that will provide protection away from windows, debris, or the view of people.

• Garage Door Monitor: A common security breach is leaving the garage door open-a a virtual invitation to thieves since many people don’t lock the door between the garage and the home. “Think of a garage door monitor as a baby monitor for the garage,” said Stuber. Chamberlain’s Garage Door Monitor can be placed on a kitchen counter and will display a flashing red light if the garage door is open.

• Calling Parents After School: Teach your child to phone a parent or responsible adult as soon as he or she arrives home.

• Garage Door Opener Battery Backup System: Install a garage door opener with a battery backup system, such as the professionally installed LiftMaster EverCharge Battery Backup, or Chamberlain’s Whisper Drive Plus, available at home-improvement stores. Each will provide power to the garage door opener, keypad, and remote controls for up to two days during a power outage.

• Wireless Keypad Entry: Children can drop or lose things, such as keys, at any time. A keypad that operates the garage door opener eliminates the need for your child to carry keys.

• Morning Lock Check: Every morning before your family leaves the house, all the doors and windows should be checked to make sure they are closed and locked. It’s very common for someone to open a door or window and forget to close and lock it. This is one of the first places a criminal check to get into a house.

• In Case of Emergency: Teach your child to call 911 first and the neighbors on both sides and even across the street next. While the police or fire department is on the way, the neighbors can respond in seconds.

Choosing The Right Garage Door

A garage is home to your personal automobiles and usually a large selection of sporting goods and tools. Therefore in order to keep these possessions safe, the right choice of garage door is vital.

A garage door is one of the most important components of your garage. It not only provides security but also can be a design statement for the rest of your property.

Before you build a garage or decide to give your existing one a facelift, it is essential for you to determine the style, shape, and size of your garage doors. This will give you a fair idea of how much drive through width you require and also so you don’t end up compromising on a stilted garage entry.

There are basically 5 types of garage doors. All manufacturers follow these 5 basic types in garage door manufacturing. The types are retractable doors, canopy door, sectional door, and side hinge door. These entire doors are different and unique in their performance and services.

Retractable Doors: This type of garage door, that when opened, a large portion of the door swings outwards. After that, it retracts back into the ceiling of your garage. The pivot points of the doors are located at the top of the door and this makes you unable to park your vehicle close to the door so you should ensure enough room is available on your driveway. The installation of these doors is easy. These types of doors are the easiest ones to be automated with a suitable electric opener.

These doors provide good security to your vehicles as they are fitted with four latches. These retractable doors are available in timber, GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic), steel, and ABS. One point to note though is that this door provides you with a reduced drive through width, due to side spring assemblies.

Canopy Doors: When a canopy door opens it swings outwards and then slides upwards into the garage ceiling. It leaves one-third of the door outside the garage. The security of the door is enhanced as the pivot points are located down the door. These doors are easy to install as no tracks are required inside the garage and the entire door mounts to the door frame. Canopy Doors are available in timber, steel ABS and GRP. This garage door provides a good drive through width.

Sectional Doors: Sectional doors are made up of numerous separate panels, which are hinged horizontally. They fit the rear surface of your garage brickwork. The door rises upwards vertically and then back into the space of the ceiling. Sectional Doors provide better security and protection against the weather. The doors are provided with insulation. These are typically manufactured in steel. These doors can be assembled in 4 hours as they come in the form of a kit.

Roller Doors: Roller Doors roll up into the garage ceiling as a single curtain. They are fitted to the garage’s rear surface of the front brickwork. The roller doors as the name suggest roll vertically upwards. These doors provide good security and protection levels. These doors are primarily manufactured in aluminum and steel. The installation of these doors is quite easy.

Side Hinge Doors: Side Hinge Doors are manufactured in steel, timber, and GRP. These doors open outwards and look very traditional. These doors need appropriate clearance while being opened. The security of these doors is good if bolts are used at the top and bottom of the door.

Garage doors are an essential part of your garage. So while buying a garage door you should check for the quality, security, and durability of the door.

The Twin Cities Of Minnesota

Minnesota is in the heart of the Midwest. This state can be very cold or very hot depending on the time of year you want to visit. If you are looking for outdoor activities, art, music, and spending time in the state’s two largest cities, then you should plan a trip to Minnesota. The capital of the state is St. Paul. It is adjacent to Minneapolis and is home to art, music, and theater. If you enjoy going to plays, musicals, visiting art museums, and outdoor venues, then you will have to visit St. Paul.

Minneapolis is located across the river and is also home to many artistic and business ventures. People who live in the state of Minnesota are known for their kindness toward everyone that they meet. Once you visit Minnesota, you will want to visit again. If you have a family, this is a great place to vacation as there are many activities for children and adults.

For sports fans, visiting the Metrodome, the home to the Minnesota Vikings, is an exciting event. The enclosed dome makes for a comfortable way of watching a professional football game. Vikings fans are unlike any others and going to a home game is guaranteed fun for any visitor.

The Mall of America also attracts many people to Minnesota. It is the country’s largest mall and features over 400 stores. The mall is not only for shoppers, with great food choices and even amusement park type rides within the building. People travel from all over the world to experience the largest mall complex humans have witnessed. The mall keeps getting larger and provides jobs for over 1200 people in Minnesota.

Other cities in Minnesota include Rochester, Duluth, St. Cloud, and Minnetonka. These cities are not as large as St. Paul or Minneapolis, but they have their own unique charm. You will be able to eat in small diners, visit local historical attractions, and see the farmland. People in Minnesota participate in many outdoor activities that include hiking, fishing, hunting, boating, and others depending on the weather. Your family will have a great time visiting parks, seeing plants and animals in their own habitat, and more.

The nightlife in Minneapolis and St. Paul will allow you to unwind and have a good time. With many restaurants and bars in the area, you will be able to relax and meet some new people. There are also dance clubs and lounges that feature local music. Many famous musicians got their start playing in small clubs in Minnesota. The state has an appreciation for music that you will find appealing.

Minnesota Real Estate – The Nature of Water

Source: Flickr

Whether ice in the winter or water sports in the summer, Minnesota is all about water. Minnesota real estate is anything but washed up.

Minnesota

Minnesota is a contrast because of the changing seasons. If you prefer to experience each season of the year in their full glory, Minnesota is the place. Winters are cold with snow and ice a constant. Summers are warm with outdoor activities available by the bushel, especially activities related to water such as fishing, boating, and so on. Spring is a sight to see as plants burst into life as the ice melts into water. Fall covers the turning of the leaves and a definite feeling that the end of the calendar year is coming.

Twin Cities

The twin cities are Minneapolis and St. Paul, which form your typical large city in America. While hardly a visual masterpiece, the twin cities have low crime, a traditional American attitude, and, of course, the Mall of America. Professional sports teams exist for baseball, football, and basketball. Oddly, there is no professional ice hockey team! For nightlife, there are little bars and restaurants throughout the city.

Rochester

Home to the world-famous Mayo Clinic, Rochester is a large suburbia area populated with white-collar professionals. The town is not overwhelming but does offer a relaxing lifestyle with shops and cafes.

Duluth

Duluth is the gem of Minnesota and people are beginning to find out. Magazines have started rating it in the top ten locations for outdoor enthusiasts. A bit of a college town, you’ll find art galleries, natural food stores, and rock climbing gyms next to each other. Sitting on the shores of Lake Superior, Duluth is a town with lots of open green space. In winter, ice skating, cross country skiing, and downhill skiing are just a hop and a jump away.

Minnesota Real Estate

Minnesota real estate prices are generally reasonable when compared to the rest of the country. A home in Rochester will set you back in the $210,00 range, while you’ll pay in the $380,000 range in the twin cities. Minnesota real estate appreciated at a rate of a little over nine percent in 2005.