The word garage, when looked up in the dictionary, has a simple meaning: a building or indoor area for parking or storing motor vehicles. By and large, this definition sums up exactly what comes to mind for most folks when they hear the word. But for some folks, garages are so much more than a space to park the family minivan and store the cumbersome and unattractive trash and recycling bins. Instead, they are functioning spaces of the home that, in the eye of the homeowner, serve just as much purpose as a kitchen or a bathroom and deserve just as much attention to detail.

More and more, people are using garages as space to actually live in. It isn’t just extra room anymore. Since the 1950s, most garages in North America are of the “attached” variety, meaning that they are part of the actual main home and not a separate building on the property. From music studios to man caves, art spaces to playrooms, garages are quickly becoming more integral parts of the family home. They are heated and cooled. They are equipped with cable and Internet capabilities. They are accessorized with attractive lighting and flooring choices.

While wall cabinetry units may still house things like a yard rake and a collection of tennis racquets and lacrosse sticks, they are also being chosen to integrate in such a fashion that the garage is truly seen as another room in the home, no matter what the intended end use of the square footage.

The gateway to the garage, of course, is the garage door. Garage doors, even though they impact the exterior look of the home, have not always been given as much careful consideration, as a design element, as the rest of the house. But now, more than ever, garage doors are getting special treatment in the design arena both from the exterior and interior perspectives. A consumer using garage space as an art studio may choose a door with more window panels, as to increase and enhance the natural light that comes into the space. The parents of a budding rock band musician who uses the space as a performing and recording area might need to take into account the ability of the door to reduce the noise carrying to other parts of the house. Garage spaces can even be beautifully appointed to serve as living rooms, sunrooms, and a variety of other entertaining spaces that integrate seamlessly with the design and decor of the rest of the home. Installing a door from the Amarr Vista collection allows plenty of natural light to come into the garage, making your unique space bright and inviting while adding a modern twist on your home’s curb appeal.

So give your garage another look. It is a fine space for doing the things that traditionally make us think of garages, of course, but take a look at your garage space with a fresh eye. The space can be so much more. Entertaining space, work space, a space for a personal hobby that you’ve always wanted in your home but could never figure out how to have. The possibilities are endless.

Resale value is often a major factor when deciding to make home improvements. Both structural and decorative curb appeal are important features to consider. But home improvement projects can be expensive, and many homeowners are still weary  about spending money on renovations. So what’s the best way to spruce up the appearance of your house without breaking the bank?

There are many budget-friendly exterior projects that can increase curb appeal.

• A fresh coat of paint can work wonders, whether it’s applied to the entire house or just on the front door. If your house is painted a neutral color like white or cream, be adventurous and try an energizing red or soothing aqua on your front door; the pop of color will add appealing interest.
• While a landscaping overhaul can be very expensive, window boxes or planters are an easy and cost-effective way to add natural beauty to your home’s façade.
• Do your windows look bare? Try adding shutters for added style, but make sure they are appropriately-sized. Buying shutters that are smaller than the windows they flank is an all-too-common mistake homeowners make, causing windows to look disproportionately small.
• If you have a garage, don’t overlook the importance of a good-looking garage door. According to the 2011 Cost vs. Value Report by Remodeling Magazine, garage door replacement continues to stand as a valuable, cost-efficient home improvement project. Garage door replacement ranks as the #4 midrange exterior project, recovering 71.9% of the cost invested.

A garage door can account for up to thirty percent of a home’s exterior seen from the street, so having an attractive design is vital to good curb appeal. But, like shutters to a window, a garage door should be appropriately matched to its house’s architectural style. There are all kinds of styles available today, from authentic carriage house to traditional to modern aluminum designs. Visit our website to view all of the styles Amarr has to offer.

Don’t let budget constraints keep you from improving the appearance of your home’s exterior. There are many low-cost ways to improve your home’s curb appeal.

Are you beating the heat this summer? As we dive into one of the hottest months of the year, you may experience difficulty keeping your home cool. When looking for ways to reduce energy costs, one area often overlooked is the garage.

Because the garage is the largest opening to your home, heat can easily flow in and get trapped, often filtering through the entry door and the ceiling into various areas of your house.

An insulated garage door can have a big impact on the energy efficiency and coolness of not only your garage, but of your entire house. Here are some key benefits of an insulated garage door:

• If your garage is below another room in your home, air can travel through the ceiling of the garage into the floor of the room above. An insulated door will keep temperatures in the garage fairly stable to reduce the temperature fluctuation in the room above.

• If you use your garage as a workshop, your comfort is a top priority.  An insulated garage door will help keep the temperature in the garage within a narrower temperature range as compared to the extreme range of the outside temperature.

• An insulated garage door is often quieter and has a more attractive interior than a non-insulated door.

When choosing an insulated door, make sure to look for a high R-value, which signifies the energy efficiency of the door.

For more information on Amarr Garage Doors and to learn more about energy efficiency related to the garage, visit www.amarr.com.