Mr Old's Garage

Having a large heating system can be great for warming a house, but if you only want to heat certain areas or if you’re away from your main home then they don’t do much good. Instead, you’re going to need to use a portable heater that can be brought to exactly where you need it and will produce just as much heat as you want. Many of these portable heaters can be used in shops, on job sites, in the garage, or even when out camping or otherwise away from home.

The trick, of course, is finding the portable heater that will do exactly what you want it to do without having to mess with things that you don’t. There are a number of things that you should consider in order to make sure that you get the best heater for your needs, including how easy it is to move and the type of fuel source that the heater uses. To help you choose the portable heater that meets your needs, here are a few suggestions of what to look for.

Portability

Obviously, one of the main advantages that a portable heater has is the fact that it’s portable. A heater may not be as easily portable as you would like, though, and depending on your intended use this may be a problem. Stop to consider how often you’ll likely be moving the heater and whether it can be easily moved to a new location if necessary. If you’re planning on using the heater in the same location much of the time then portability isn’t a major concern, but if one of the selling points of the heater is the fact that you can take it with you then you’re going to want to make sure that it’s easy to transport.

Electrical or Fuel Needs

Your heater will require fuel or power in order to produce heat, and this should be taken into consideration as well. If your portable heater is going to be used around the house or in places with ready access to electricity then a corded electrical heater might serve you well. At the same time, you’ll definitely want to have a heater that uses propane or some other fuel if you’re going to be using the heater in outdoors locations or in places and situations where you won’t have access to electricity. Make sure that the heater you choose will work where and when you need it to, and that the cost to keep it running won’t be more than you’re willing to pay.

Setup Concerns

Another consideration with portable heaters should be how easy or difficult the heater is to set up when you want to use it. Many heaters simply need to be placed where you want them and turned on or started, but others may require some form of mounting or other types of stabilization. You’re going to want to make sure that any setup required, either for the first usage or every use, is easy enough to do that you can accomplish it in a reasonable amount of time. This includes the physical setup of heater, the connecting of a fuel source, the time it takes to get the heater started, and how long it takes the heater to start producing heat.

Heat Production

Make sure that the portable heater that you choose can produce as much heat as you need it to. Most heaters will have a suggested area that it can heat printed on the box, as well as a BTU rating that tells how much heat it actually produces. This will let you know whether a particular heater will be able to do the job that you need, or whether you’ll need more than one heater. You should also remember that if it produces too much heat for the area you’re heating then you might have to adjust the temperature on the heater numerous times in order to keep the air temperature from being too warm or too cold.

Storage

Unless you live in the tundra, there’s a good chance that you’re going to need to put your portable heater into storage for at least a decent portion of the year. Take into consideration how easy or difficult it will be to store the heater you choose and whether you’re likely to damage it if it’s stored incorrectly. You should also determine exactly how much storage space the heater will take up and make sure that you have somewhere at home, in your garage, or at your workplace where the heater can be stored.

Whether you have a small garage or shop space or a large manufacturing plant or warehouse, infrared heaters are not only more efficient, they also provide a much more comfortable atmosphere than conventional forced air heating systems.

So what is an infrared heater?

An infra-red heater is simply a hot surface heating appliance which, like our own sun, emits radiant (infrared) wave energy to surfaces below. Upon striking surfaces or objects, the energy converts to heat to warm the surrounding air.

Think about it. The sun does not heat the air. The sun heats the earth and the earth heats the air. That same infrared heating principle is a practical and effective way to heat building spaces. In an aircraft hangar, for example, multiple infrared heaters can be suspended from the ceiling with the emitters directed toward the floor below. The heaters are spaced appropriately to create heat uniformity and optimum comfort.

What are the benefits of using infrared?

Infrared energy heats from the ground up. Even though the infrared heaters are mounted up high (near the ceiling in most cases), the energy they emit does not convert to heat until it strikes floors and objects at ground level. Heat is then stored and re-radiated to the surrounding air. The result is warm floors, warm feet, and better use of energy.

By contrast, forced air heating depends on the principle of warm air stratification. Using the aircraft hangar example, warm air must stratify from high up at the ceiling level all the way down to floor level. The result is cold floors, cold feet and wasted heat energy at the upper half of the building.

In addition to greater creature comfort, infrared heating systems can save as much as 50% or more in energy consumption compared to most forced air systems such as unit heaters.

Is infrared practical in my small garage or workshop?

Yes. In fact, there are several good garage infrared heaters designed specifically for heating small shops and even residential garages from 300 to 900 square feet and low ceiling heights.

One manufacturer even offers a small vent free high intensity garage infrared heater that comes with a wall mounting bracket, thermostat and thermostat wire. All you need to do is hang the heater and run the gas line. No electrical is required. They do emit a bit of humidity, however, because they are vent free.

The other option is an infrared radiant tube heater. This is a vented heater and is better suited to woodworking shops and for spaces 600 to 1200 square feet. Because it is vented, no humidity enters the space.

While infrared heaters can save consumers as much as 50% in energy usage, the one benefit that gets overlooked most often is creature comfort. Years ago we designed an infrared tube heating system for a Cadillac car dealership. The service bays in the rear had been using forced air heaters to heat the space for over 20 years. As the heaters wore out, the owner decided he needed to upgrade.

The owner of the dealership called us in to offer an alternative heating system. With a bit of persuasion, we convinced him that an infra-red tube heating system would offer the best heating efficiency. And did it ever! He was able to save upwards of 60% on his average monthly fuel bill. His electric bill also declined substantially.

But the biggest benefit to the owner was improved comfort and a noticeable increase in employee productivity. One day the owner called and said “you know this damn heating system you sold us? It’s best thing ever”! He went on to explain that one of his best servicemen had always suffered from respiratory problems as a result of the cold, drafty air produced by the old forced air heating system. For the first time in years, this employee had not suffered through the cold winter.

You can’t put a price on that!

Garage doors are the first hosts to welcome your guests, so it needs to be appealing and suitable to your homes. The more stylish the garage door is the better is the look of your home. It is always said that “The first impression is always the last impression”, same is the case when any guests arrive at your home, and your guests will be able to judge your lifestyle merely by looking at your garage doors. Apart from the impressive feature, a garage door needs to be tough enough to ensure maximum safety to your garage as your car and vehicle along with some important household items rest peacefully in your garage. Thus, keeping these things as well as a few other points we need to select a garage door that truly satisfies our needs. Firstly your garage door should be beautiful to please the people visiting or passing by your house, they will obviously first view the garage door and then have a look at your home externally. Thus, it needs to be contemporary and stylish to match your personality. Now we come to the technical aspect of choosing a perfect garage door for your homes. You need to check for the rigidity along with the style, as explained the garage doors must provide a high security to your belongings kept in your garage. Then you need to check the size of the garage door which you are planning to purchase and your already existing garage facelift helps you to select a garage door of that particular size so that the new one can be easily replaced for the old garage door. The other things like its style, opening ways and shape along with the parking space and exit are to be keenly considered. Your garage door should also have low and easy maintenance so that suits your busy work schedule. There are a few types of garage door that typically suits your home and you need to make a wise choice depending on its benefits and maintenance. The most popular is the Roller garage door and is widely used by most of the people as it is adjusts well in limited or small space drive away problems. As the name implies, the roller garage door rolls around the rod that is found above the opening when we open or shut the garage. For the best performance and ease opt for a technical one where you don’t have to leave your car seat to open or close it. These come with automatic locking set up found on the inner side of the garage door which is controlled by a remote control. The material used in its manufacturing is basically aluminium hence these are light and give an exceptional performance. The other type of garage door is Up and Over garage doors are opened with a different technique, these are first swung outward and then rolled up in the garage ceiling, you can imagine how much space does this type of garage door might be using! These are not useful where the driveways are small as it requires huge space while opening as it sways outward. The other type of garage door is the sectional garage door which is opened by moving it in upward direction and further folded to the ceiling. These comprise large sheets with huge sectors which may be difficult to handle daily for a number of times to park or remove your car. The most conventional type of garage door is the swing hung garage door that is opened exactly as if you are opening the door of your house, however it requires a huge space while opening the garage door, which is difficult for small driveways hence not recommended. Keeping in mind your needs and your home-style, select a perfect garage door that fits your garage and suits your style.

Your garage is likely to occupy a large area at the front of your house so it’s important to choose the right style of doors to complement your home and suit your practical requirements. Whether you want to replace your existing doors or are looking to invest in a set for the first time, the guide below should help you make the right choice.

Roller Garage Doors

This style is perfect if you want a hassle free, quick way to store your car. A roller door is made up of a single sheet of aluminium or steel and the whole door rises up vertically and rolls in on itself when opened. This style of door is a good option if you have limited space in your garage as the door only needs a small amount of brick work either side to support it. You also don’t need to install a door frame which further helps to increase the width of the garage door, giving you more space to drive your car through. The materials commonly used for roller doors are aluminium and steel which both offer good protection against the weather and high levels of security.

Sectional Garage Doors

This style of door offers great protection from the weather, top security and can come in some very stylish colours and materials. These doors are generally comprised of four separate inter-locking horizontally hinged panels which allow the doors to open and shut vertically. Sectional doors are available in a range of materials with the more popular choices being timber and steel. This is an excellent choice if space is at a premium as the entire door rises upwards in a straight line so you don’t need clearance outside of the garage to accommodate the swing of the door.

Single Hinged Garage Doors

This is the most traditional style of door for garages. The mechanism of the doors is basic as they open outwards as the pivotal point is attached to the frame at each side of the door. Single hinged doors are ideal if there’s limited space inside your garage but you have a large area outside for it to swing out into. The doors can be manufactured in a variety of materials with the most popular being steel, timber and also GRP which is a tough weather proof plastic material so your garage can complement the rest of your property.

Retractable Garage Doors

Retractable doors are similar to the single hinged model but can be automated, so this would be a good option if you want the convenience of being able to operate the door from the comfort of your car. This type of door swings outwards so you need to have room outside your garage to allow for this. When closing, the door slides away horizontally into the garage ceiling. This type of door is now available in a variety of materials and some companies also offer pre-framed versions.

The type of doors you choose for your garage will depend on the size of your garage, the space available on your drive and what your budget is so use this guide as a starting point for your investment.

The most familiar types of garage doors frequently used in residential garages are retractable, canopy, side hinged, and sectional retractable doors. As compared to old garage doors, new garage doors are much more intelligent, long-lasting, useable and safe.

Residential garage doors are designed to look beautiful and offer new features like automatic door openers and more. Canopy garage doors, which roll up manually, are great alternatives to automatic doors.

If driveway space is a problem in your home, then sectional garage doors are the way to go. Also called up and over doors, they open and close vertically and store along the ceiling. This allows cars to park within inches of the door without diminishing functionality.

Custom made garage doors can be created based on your specifications.

Planning is the First Step

Take advantage of free garage door plans are available online from Stanley, Sears, Wayne Dalton, and more. Create a garage plan that encompasses everything you want in your garage from a heated garage to unique window choices.

The best part about planning your own garage door system is the choice of installing it yourself. However, in the planning stage, we recommend designing the opening and door size to a standard size, which will result in a door that is more economical and easier to install.

Also, free garage plans are an easy way to troubleshoot for problems before they appear. When designing a garage plan, you must choose what your family needs. When built according to garage building plans, a steel garage can cost you up to 40% less than conventional garages.

Install It Yourself

The installation of an original garage door, whether as a replacement for an existing door or as a renovation, is straightforward. Doors come on a factory fitted steel frame ready for quick and convenient on-site installation. All adjustable fixings are provided. Read through the installation instructions for carefully.

Take into consideration that garage doors are large and bulky, and are therefore handled surest by two people. This makes positioning and fixing much easier and safer. However, the installation of a residential garage door can be technical, and possibly it is not appropriate as a do-it-yourself project for less experienced people.

Proper Maintenance

The leading causes of garage door breakdown and replacements include being hit by vehicles and a lack of maintenance.

The ideal maintenance schedule for a garage door includes washing painted steel surfaces several times a year; painting or refinishing wood surfaces as necessary, lubrication of the rollers, bearings, pulleys, and springs once a year, and making correct adjustments to the counter balance system.

Each of the three standard garage door materials has its own benefits. Wood doors are very insulated and they have an appealing look; however, wood expands and contracts and can warp or crack as it weathers. It will need re-painting or refinishing every couple of years.

Steel doors are vigorous and give great value for your money. Today’s steel doors have the look of wood without the headaches of the maintenance.

Fiberglass garage doors are also extremely low maintenance, offering a timber effect without the maintenance of real wood. Use a half cup of mild laundry detergent mixed with water to wash both the exterior and interior of your steel or fiberglass door twice a year.

Garage doors are a simple and low-cost technique to extend your home’s curb appeal and set it apart from the rest. Garage doors are typically the largest visible building component other than the siding on your house.

Garage doors are now offered by manufacturers in a variety of styles that go far beyond the classical paneled look. Even though there are any amount of designs, most garage doors open upward, and are self storing.

Most of the time, the garage turns out to be much more than that; it usually is used as a storage place, workshop, after school band practicing stage, and, of course, storing your car. Whether you are using your garage for one or all of the above purposes, you need to do one thing in the first place and that is get it organized.

The better your garage is organized the more activities you can conduct in it without having to mishandle any of the existing tools and space.

Organizing Your Garage

In order to get your garage organized you will need a garage cabinet or more depending how many activities are being carried out in that space. Usually, the main activity that takes place in the garage is the workshop and men generally (not always) like to leave tools around to either finish the job next day or simply because that is their working space.

However, in order for more than one activity to take place in the garage or even for the simple reason that you want to find your tools next time you need them, I suggest to invest in a garage cabinet.

Garage cabinets come in all sizes, therefore, depending on how many tools you have, you will want to pick the appropriate size garage cabinet; I would suggest a slightly larger one even if you don’t need it now, you will in the future as men always enjoy adding to their toy collection.

Garage cabinets also come in different shapes in order to match your garage and to take up the least amount of space. My favorite type of cabinet is on wheels. It is extra slim and about 4 -5 feel tall; the reason behind it is that it can be used as a table when needed, fits all the tools and has space for others when they make their way home, as it can be moved wherever I need to perform some work, I don’t need to take tools out and return them each time I need something else.

Which Is The Right Garage Cabinet For You

In order to get the answer to that question you need to consider the following points: the size of your garage and where you are going to place the cabinet; the amount of tools you have and what is the rate you add tools to your collection as well as how often do you use your tools.

Garage cabinets are usually expensive but a great investment in any household, which can be passed from father to son for generations to come.

When you decide to install custom garage doors, there really is little limit to how much they can be adjusted to fit your needs. Don’t be shy of making unusual requests: if the organization installing your doors is in any way competent, they should be able to accommodate needs far removed from the normal.

#Opening mechanisms

Almost any way of opening a garage door can be automated – you don’t need to stick to the classic ‘up and over’ mechanism used in older automatic garage doors. Let’s look through some of the choices that are open to you.

The standard ‘up and over’ mechanism is a good basis for a custom garage door. Because it is so widespread, it is possible to find doors with this mechanism in almost any style imaginable (and, let’s face it, also in many styles that make you wonder if the designer was crazed or colour-blind).

Roller doors are a good choice if you do not have much space in front of your garage door. This might be the case in inner-city areas, for example, or in other areas where your garage is squeezed into an awkward position. In automatic garage doors with a roller mechanism, the door will simply roll itself up into a small space, allowing you to pass underneath it. It will not need any space in front of the garage. One aspect to note with these doors is that, despite the temptation, they should generally not be left in a half-open position. The mechanisms are not designed to hold in a position other than ‘open’ or ‘closed’, and they may end up being strained and wearing out quickly if you try to make them do this. If you do have a need to leave the garage door half-open, you should enquire about custom garage doors with a mechanism designed to accommodate this need.

Sectional custom garage doors, opening vertically, can be a very impressive effect. They open inwards: this needs a larger garage with some spare space inside, but it is highly satisfying to drive home in the evening and see your garage door swinging inwards.

Another advantage of sectional garage doors is that they are great for people who spend some time in their garage. If your garage doubles as a home gym or a workshop, you probably want a custom garage door that can let some light in. Sectional doors are great for this, because you can open them partially and get a lot of light into the garage. Compare that to up-and-over or rolling automatic garage doors, which open from the bottom up and so will not let much sunlight in unless you open them fully.

#Options for garage doors

The garage door doesn’t need to be a plain facade – you can adapt it to your own wishes. If you would like to let light in, how about adding a window to your custom garage door setup? Windows can be included in sectional custom garage doors very easily. Remember that windows in your custom garage door are a feature reasonably easy to add initially, but very hard to incorporate later. If you would like to let sunlight into your garage, the time to do it is when you first buy your custom garage door. It is much easier to cover up an unwanted window in custom garage doors than it is to add one which was never installed.

And what about the colours? There is no reason why you should stick with standard white automatic garage door, unless you have consciously decided that you like that style. Much better to investigate different colours – or you could be even more adventurous. Some homeowners have chosen to have pictures painted onto their garage doors, often to magnificent effect. Custom garage doors with custom designs are one of the few demonstrations that spray paint has more use than writing teenagers’ names under bridges!