The next wave of stimulus relief funds has officially been released. It’s possible you’ve already received your payment. For many, these relief payments are designed to help make up for wages that were lost due to COVID-19. The money they receive will likely go to food, debt, housing, or other needs.

For those who have retained their fulltime jobs, however, these stimulus payments are a chance to invest in something your normal budget otherwise wouldn’t allow for. Home improvements, for example. The questions is where do you start?

Why not your garage?

Garages tend to be criminally overlooked when planning for home updates and renovations. However, well-furnished garage has a lot to offer, and it can increase the overall curb appeal of your home. With that said, here are a few ways you can invest your stimulus money in your garage.

Update/Upgrade Your Doors and Opener

Your garage doors are one of the most important pieces of your garage. If they’re old, beaten up, drafty, or open slowly, it might be time to make some upgrades. First, check the opener to ensure it’s running smoothly. If your opener is older, it’s worth considering a new one. Modern day garage door openers come with a wide range of features including smart-device integration, camera viewing, and more.

You also may want a professional to inspect the springs and mechanics.

Finally, you should consider the garage door (or doors) itself. Garage doors can last a good 15-30 years, but they can fall out of style with the rest of your home. Even if they’re functioning correctly, they may not be very visually appealing. If you have standard garage doors, you could upgrade to insulated garage doors which provide superior climate control while reducing noise levels.

For a wide variety of garage doors, garage door openers, and entry doors in Ohio, contact Springfield Overhead Door today!

Creating a Multi-Purpose Space

If you’re one of the many people who has found themselves working from home in the past year, you may want to consider expanding part of your garage into an office. Alternatively, a garage can be a great place for a gym, lounging area, or even a home theatre. Whatever the purpose is, your stimulus money can go a long way in purchasing some equipment and making some upgrades to the surrounding area.

Once again, insulated garage doors can be a great benefit to controlling climate and reducing sound coming out of (and going into) your garage. Speaking of climate control…

Add Heating and/or Cooling

Do you find yourself spending extended periods of time in your garage? Why not add some capabilities of controlling the temperature inside? Generally, you should avoid connecting your garage to your home’s HVAC system. Instead, there are a number of other ways to heat and to cool your garage.

For heating, consider:

  • A wood stove
  • Force air heaters
  • Infrared heater
  • Radiant/floor heat
  • Electric space heaters

Generally, space heaters aren’t the most economical or the safest. We’d suggest splurging for something a little nicer. For cooling, a few fans and some open windows can make a big difference. Otherwise, either a window AC unit or a portable AC unit should work nicely.

Coat Your Garage Floor

Is your garage floor plain and unfinished? Then now is a great time to coat it with a layer of epoxy. Epoxy coating is great for garages, as it brightens up the room, protects against stains, makes clean-up a breeze, and it just looks unquestionably better. If you’re in need of epoxy flooring in Ohio, our sister company Select Flooring Systems can help!

Building a Loft Above Your Garage

Looking to expand your home? Adding a loft space above your garage can be a great way to accomplish that. Garage lofts work perfect for offices, lounging spaces, gyms, music rooms, and even rentable spaces.

Now, a $1400 stimulus check definitely won’t cover the full cost of an expansion like that, but it can serve as a solid down payment towards a larger project. Just make sure you check with your city about any potential zoning restrictions or permits that you will need.