Winterizing your garage
With the winter fast approaching, it is time to start getting your home ready for the cold weather. An often overlooked area when it comes to winterizing your home is your garage. But there are definitely some steps you can take to make sure your garage is winter ready. GARAGE ORGANIZATION With the winter season approaching, that means snow flurries are likely on their way as well. If you are like most people, your garage is used for more than just your car. You probably use this space for storing a lot of different equipment, including your snow plow and shovels. Take this time to organize your garage space and make sure you have all your snowy equipment in working order. The last thing you want is to be snowed in when you have places to be. Making sure to place those snowy must haves in an easily accessible area in your garage and in tip-top shape, will help you get that snow off your driveway that much sooner. TIME TO SEAL UP Have you noticed any cracks in your garage’s walls? If so, you could be losing a lot of warmth from those tiny or not so tiny cracks. Sealing up those little imperfections in your walls can not only help keep your home nice and cozy, it can also make your heat bill a little bit more friendly. But, sealing up the cracks in your walls isn't the only way to “seal up” your garage. Believe it or not but air also has a habit of flowing in and out of your outlets as well. Making sure to appropriately cover any outlets inside and outside your garage will keep your garage warmer and safer too. INSULATION Insulation is a way to add more layers between the outside air and you! Not every garage has insulated walls and if that sounds like your home maybe it’s time to consider insulating your garage. While this is an added expense, the positive side is that the insulated walls will do double duty for your garage. What do I mean? Well, in the winter the insulation helps to keep the outside cold air out of your garage, but in the summer, that extra layer keeps that sweltering outside heat from entering. GARAGE DOOR Now you know I couldn’t finish without talking about your garage door. After all, it’s (hopefully) the largest opening in your home. There are a couple of steps you can take to make sure your garage door is up for the task of handling this year’s winter season. First check on you stop molding along the jamb of your garage door opening and the weather stripping on the bottom of the garage door. Stop molding and weather stripping help to give a nice seal between your garage door, the jamb, and the garage floor. If they look old and cracked, it may be time to replace them. And while you are poking around your garage door, take a look at the door itself. When was the last time you replaced it? Is it insulated? Are the windows double pane or single? Garage doors not only come in so many different sizes and designs, but construction as well. The different types of materials and ways of constructing the garage doors effect the warmth/insulation, strength, and quietness of the door. Feel free to reach out to our team at Shuster Doors to talk to us about servicing your existing door or replacing it entirely with a new one. Stay warm and stay safe this winter!But, what will the garage door look like on MY home?
With Covid-19 still prevalent in New Jersey, safety is extremely important for all of us. But, that shouldn’t keep you from starting (or continuing) the home improvement projects you can while stuck at home. After all, we are spending quite a bit more time at home than we use to, we may as well love what we are seeing each day. If you are in the market to update your garage doors, we have a great tool you can use all from the comfort from you home. The Door Imagination System allows you view our Clopay brand garage doors on your own home.- Take a picture of your house and make sure to get your garage doors in the picture.
- Upload your photo into the Door Imagination System.
- Door Imagination will prompt you to outline your garage door or doors with a box.
- Then it’s as simple as choosing the design and construction of the doors you are interested in and Door Imagination will generate the picture of you selection right on your house.
- Rinse and repeat. Try out all the different doors that strike your fancy until you found the perfect door for your home.
- Contact Shuster Doors and let us know you know the door for you and would like a quote!
Stay Safe with Shuster Doors
June is Garage Door Safety Month! Here at Shuster Doors, our customer’s safety is our primary concern. Therefore, we urge you to take some time this month to ensure that your garage door is safe and up to code. How do you do this? We recommend visually inspecting you garage door and electric opener for any frayed cables, stretched out springs, or squeaky wheels. If you notice any of these issues, please reach out to us to schedule a service call for your door and opener. And of course if you would like Shuster Doors to perform a professional garage door safety check for anything you may have missed, we would be happy to schedule that as well. The most important thing is to stay healthy and stay safe!How to help small businesses in Plainfield during shelter in place
By now, the coronavirus has completely changed day-to-day life for our entire community, and although we remain open for business, it still feels like all the things we love to do have been put on hold. It’s a difficult time, for sure, but it’s also a time when we can show our support for local businesses. And they need it. Now maybe more than ever.
At J. W. Shuster & Son Garage Door, we love being a part of the community and care deeply about our neighbors and the small businesses we serve – not to mention the people who help us do our job better every day – from the servers we’ve gotten to know when we go to lunch, to the people who keep our trucks up and running.
Over the past week, we’ve been looking for ways we can support small businesses while they are closed. Below is the list we came up with and we thought we’d share it with you.
Go holiday shopping. In March. Here’s how you do it: First, make a list of all of your favorite local shops, then get online and see which ones take online orders. If they do, now is the time to do your Christmas shopping. Just think of how much time you’ll have come December. Here is a fantastic article about shopping local while sheltering in place.
Buy gift certificates. One day, in the very near future, we’re going to get back to a new normal. When that happens, we’ll be more than ready to visit our favorite businesses in person again. Purchasing gift cards is an investment in their future. It’s also cash for them now that you can redeem later, so it puts money in their pockets at a time when they need it the most.
Take advantage of online exercise. Reduce stress and get some exercise with an online class offered by your local fitness facility. Many YMCAs, big gyms and little studios have set up classes offered on Facebook and zoom.com. Plenty of these are free, but you if take an online class on a regular basis, you may want to send the instructor or facility a donation. You can do this easily through Venmo.
Support local charities. The coronavirus has really put local nonprofits and charities to the task. Consider going online to find out what your favorite charity needs and help out. The Food Bank Network of Somerset County for ways you can donate to help feed those in need. Need a friend to quarantine with? Contact the Plainfield Animal Humane Society while the shelter is closed.
One the greatest things about a crisis is that it shows how capable the Plainfield community is of doing extraordinary things. Stay well, from all of us at J.W. Shuster & Son Garage Door.
Five easy garage improvement ideas for 2020
Can you believe 2020 is here? If you’re already thinking of home improvement this year, might we recommend putting your garage on the list?
Making improvements to your garage is always a great investment. Take a look at our list of five easy ways below. And let us know how we can help!
Invest in a new garage door. A new garage door is a great way to increase your home’s ROI, but there are many more reasons to make 2020 the year you invest in one. For example, with a new garage door you won’t have to worry about getting any repairs in the near future. And since they’re custom-fitted to your home, they offer security, are energy-efficient and offer curb appeal.
Ten reasons to invest in a new garage door
Get organized. If you’re still storing things like recreation equipment and tools every which way in your garage consider making this the year to get organized. We love Organized Living’s garage storage solutions that maximize the space in your garage while making it clutter-free.
Make it multi-purpose. How about making 2020 the year you finally make your garage one of the most multi-functioning spaces in your home? With retractable screens, you can transform your garage into a place where you can work or play, an exercise or party room, or an area for your pet.Schedule those garage door repairs. Is your garage door squeaking or rattling when it opens and closes? If it is, perhaps now is a good time to make getting the garage door repaired now that the new year is here.
Spruce it up with customized paint. For a long time, homeowners faced a tough task when finding paint that could be customized while also being suitable for garage door materials like steel and aluminum. Now Clopay can color match Sherwin-Williams color codes on a new garage door prior to installation. We love this paint and its beautiful results.
So, here’s to the new year! Let us know how we can help set any of these five ideas in motion for you. We’re looking forward to serving you in 2020.
10 reasons to invest in a new garage door
Maybe you’re looking for simple ways to update your home’s appearance, or perhaps you want to increase your home’s value or save money or personal security. Each of these goals – and many, many more – can be achieved with a new garage door.
Consider this: The garage can comprise as much as 30% of a home’s façade, so updating it is an excellent, relatively low-cost way to increase the curb appeal of your home. And a better looking home, means you’ll get a higher ROI if you decide to sell it.
Since your garage is such a big part of your home, it’s important to keep it secure. Many new garage doors come with extra safety features. Combine it with a new garage door opener and you’ve got peace of mind, knowing that you and your family – not to mention your car – are safe.
As garage door professionals who have spent decades helping home and business owners find the right garage door, we can think of tons of reasons a new garage door is a great investment. Below, we’ve narrowed it down to our top ten.
Top 10 reasons to purchase a new garage door
Enhance the look of your home. Styles change. That’s not only true for fashion and cars, but for garage doors as well. Take a look at Clopay’s newest residential garage doors and you’ll see some amazing classic and modern designs that would make any home look great.
If your garage door is older, it likely has some dents and maybe some chipped, peeling paint. Sound like your garage door? It may be time to invest in a new one.
Better safety. Your garage door is one of the hardest working doors in your home. Over time, garage door springs and other key components to your door can get worn out and break. Sometimes, this creates a dangerous situation. If your garage door is older, purchasing a new one may be more cost efficient than replacing old parts, or having a professional come out to service it often.
Make it multi-functional. We love that garages are being used for more than our cars these days. A new garage door can help transform your garage into additional living space. Clopay’s Avante and Modern Steel garage doors create a fresh, contemporary space, while garage door screens let a little of the outdoors in.
Note: If you want to make your garage a space for hobbies like woodworking or painting, a playroom, or a workout room, it’s best to have it insulated so you can use it all year long, and the easiest way to ensure this is with a new garage door.
Quiet, please. You know an old garage when you hear one. They creak and squeak every time they close and open. That’s the sound of old garage door parts being pushed beyond their capacity and it’s never a good sign. Plus, who wants to be woken up from sleep by a garage door opening or closing? New garage doors are quiet, and they help to reduce noise coming from the street as well.
Increase your home’s value. This is a big one, especially if you’re getting ready to put your house on the market. In fact, a new garage door is one of the single most important, and easy ways to make your house look better on the outside, so when potential buyers show up to look at your home, they’ll be more motivated to make it their own.
And your home’s ROI, too. In addition to increasing your home’s value, garage doors are great investments. Studies have shown that when it comes to increasing your home’s ROI garage doors are one of the best investments you can make.
Better energy efficiency. Older garage doors that are warped and cracked are likely to let in drafts, and if they’re letting in cold (or hot) air in, they’re letting it out, too. If you have a garage that shares a wall or a ceiling with any room in your house, having an insulated garage door -- fitted by experts -- is even more important. New garage doors are guaranteed to fit, and that means you’ll save money on your energy bills.
No unexpected repairs. Few things will ruin your morning like a malfunctioning garage door when you’re pressed for time. Broken garage door springs and other faulty garage door parts are par for the course when you’ve got an old door. They’re not only inconvenient, they can also lead to pricey repairs. Newer garage doors are under warranty, and when they’re installed by professionals with decades of experience, you’ll avoid calls for repairs – especially with regular maintenance.
Increased security. An old garage door that no longer fits securely can be a welcome sign for thieves, many who gain entry to the home through the garage. To protect your family, the items in your garage and home, and your car, make sure your garage door is secure, or better yet – purchase a new one.
Lower insurance premium. After you’ve got your new garage door installed, reach out to you insurance company. Chances are, your rate will be readjusted and lowered because you’ve increased the safety and security of your home.
Ready to get started? Use our Design Your Door feature to see what garage doors will look best on your home. Then give us a call. This is a great time of the year to invest in a new garage door!
Inside Garage
Seven easy ways to make your garage safe
How safe is your garage? If you’re not sure, maybe it’s time to do a quick check with help from the list below. It’s doesn’t take much time – or money – to make sure your garage is a safe place for you and your family. With easy to install items like garage cabinets and smoke alarms, your garage can be made safe for your peace of mind.
Below are seven ways to make your garage safer:
Store your power tools someplace safe. Make sure your power tools are properly stored and kept out of reach of children. Consider investing in cabinets for your tools, and secure them with locks. Additionally, any saws or other electric tools should always have their safety locks on and should never be kept plugged in.
Do an electrical safety check. Check of your garage outlets and make sure they aren’t overloaded. You’ll also want to make sure your garage’s electric wiring isn’t outdated and in need of repair.
Keep fires at bay. Make sure you install a smoke alarm in your garage, or if you already have one, check to ensure it’s working properly. It’s also a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher in the garage, too.
Get organized. We know how easy it is to keep things stored randomly in the garage, but keeping your it organized is one of the best ways to make sure it’s safe for you and your family. In addition to storing your power tools in a locked cabinet, do the same with yard tools and cleaning supplies.
Keep hazardous materials out of reach of children. Any cleaning products, fertilizer, gasoline, paints and other materials should be kept out of reach of children. Store these materials in a locked cabinet and make sure it’s equipped with proper ventilation.
Floors need to be kept safe, too. Check your garage flooring to make sure there aren’t any cracks, or leaks in the garage’s foundation that have caused leaks on the garage floor. Cracks, leaky walls, water on the floor needs to be addressed right away.
Make sure to use a garage door floor coating to seal floor cracks. Then, do the same with any cracks in the walls.
Invest in good locks and remote access. Make sure to always lock your garage door, and if you’re prone to forgetting, consider investing in remote access so you don’t have to worry. You could also consider LiftMaster’s myQ Smart Home, which lets you control your garage door from your smart phone.
Don’t fall victim to a garage door scam
Last year, bogus garage door companies disguised as local companies – often with names very similar to real ones – purchased millions of dollars in ads with Google. Basically running a garage door scam.</p> Luckily, Google has cracked down on these bogus garage door dealers and garage door scams, making it more difficult for them to purchase ads and requiring legitimate companies like us go through an extensive verification process with Google, proving we are the real deal.</p> But there are still phony garage door companies out there preying on innocent people. As a family-owned company serving Plainfield, NJ and the surrounding area, we truly care about our community and it troubles us to hear when someone has been taken advantage of.</p> Don’t fall victim to a garage door scam. Below are some tips to make sure you’re dealing with the real J. W. Shuster & Son.</p> Ask where they are located. Local garage door companies have a brick and mortar store or at least an office. Bogus ones usually don’t.</p> Don’t agree to services from somebody in an unmarked van or truck. Most fake garage door companies drive vehicles that have magnet logos or none at all. J. W. Shuster only uses fully stocked trucks with our name prominently displayed.</p> Check review sites. When you visit Yelp or Angie’s List, you’ll find lots of great reviews about J. W. Shuster Garage Door, Inc. If you search for companies with a similar name, you’ll find none or very bad reviews.</p> Never pay upfront. We usually bill after the services are completed and you are satisfied. Bogus companies will often ask for all the money upfront – and then not show up to do the job. To learn more about fake garage door companies and how you can protect yourself from being a victim to one of their scams, check out this video from IDEA, the Institute of Door Dealer Education and Accreditation.</p>Choosing the best flooring options for your garage
All it takes is one look at your garage’s floor to know it’s one of the most important, hardest working places in your home. Your garage floor has to withstand things like water, salt, and dirt and most are covered in oil, grease and rust stains.
But times are changing. Now, home owners are using their garage for a multitude of purposes from man cave to workout room. And that requires a good-looking floor that’s able to keep stains and puddles away.
One of the easiest ways to transform the look of your garage and to keep your garage floor looking it’s best is to apply a coat of sealer or epoxy, vinyl rolls or tile. All of these options are excellent, but which floor option you choose depends on your budget, your personal style, and how you use your garage space.
Below are our tips for choosing the best garage floor covering for your garage.
Concrete sealers and stains
Concrete sealers are a very inexpensive option and they can be applied quickly. This is a clear coating that covers the garage floor that makes it easy to clean up gasoline and oil spills. It also protects the floor against water damage. Sealers come in matte or gloss and can’t be used over painted floors.
Another similar option are concrete stains. Like sealers, they protect your garage floor. However, they contain pigment to add a touch of dimension to your floor.
Epoxy
Unlike paint, epoxy contains chemicals that bond tightly with prepared surface. The result isn’t just a clean, great looking floor, but also one that is protected against spills, stains and abrasions. Epoxy, if applied properly, won’t chip and is an excellent long lasting solution for your garage.
Look for epoxy coating specifically designed for garage floors at your local home improvement store. Or contact a professional painting contractor who can help you pick out the perfect epoxy coating for your garage.
Vinyl garage rolls
Vinyl garage rolls range in prices, so they can work well with any budget. Made with very flexible PVC, it can withstand car traffic, tire traction and is very easy to clean. It’s also often slip resistant when wet, and are easy to install.
Vinyl garage rolls can be cut to the size of your garage, and can be installed very quickly and easily. In fact, you could use the vinyl flooring on your entire garage floor or just a portion of it. The possibilities are pretty endless.
Garage floor tiles
Garage tiles come in a wide variety of materials, from vinyl to plastic to ceramic. The most popular and cost-effective option is vinyl garage floor tiles. These come in a number of different thickness sizes, colors, and are interlocking to offer the perfect fit.
Another popular garage flooring choice is plastic garage floor tiles. Hard plastic flooring is great for garages that need top notch durability like commercial garages or residential garages that get a lot of vehicular traffic. Soft plastic flooring are also very durable but are quieter than harder flooring.
Of course, you could also choose ceramic porcelain tiles for your garage. These aren’t just great-looking, they’re also extremely durable, long-lasting and stain and scratch resistant. Ceramic porcelain flooring can often be seen in car showrooms, but it’s growing in popularity for homes and businesses.<
Before choosing ceramic tiles for your garage, consider how they will be installed. Because they require additional materials and tools, it’s a more expensive flooring option, especially if you hire a professional team to lay the tile.
What about carpet?
Good question. Carpet, whether in roll form or carpet tiles, isn’t a good choice for your garage unless you don’t house your car there. That’s because most carpet does not repel water, oil, gasoline, and other substances usually found in the garage.
Want more advice about garage flooring options? Give us a call. We’ll be happy to give you more advice to get your garage looking its best.