How to Have an Eco-Friendly Garage

It seems that no matter where one looks these days, that there is a push to protect the environment. We can use eco-friendly fuels, cleaners, lawn care equipment, and even construction materials. So, when you decide to have a garage added to your residence, or perhaps want to upgrade your current garage's appearance, why not opt for a garage door that is not only attractive but also environmentally friendly? In addition, you might want to take it a step further and ensure that the items within your garage are also eco-friendly.

Of course, the first step is to select a garage door that is eco-friendly. There are several choices to select from. For instance:

• A wood door is an environmentally friendly choice as long as the door has a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) endorsement. There are also door that are made totally from recycled material making them the perfect eco-friendly option.
• Steel doors usually contain at least 40% recycled materials, and often this number is even higher.
• Fiberglass doors are also good for the environment as it is made from readily available silica sand.
• Durable and energy efficient doors not only protect the environment, but are long-lasting and energy efficient. However, vinyl and plastic doors are very unfriendly for the environment and should only be used to accessorize; in addition, the vinyl doors are not as durable and will often warp.

Once you have chosen the garage door that best suits your needs and the design of your home, you can take additional steps to ensure that the items kept in your garage are also eco-friendly. For instance, what good is it to have an environmentally friendly garage door then store used automotive fluids, pesticides and chemical inside? To help you make sure that your garage is eco-friendly both inside and out, here are a few basics to keep in mind:

• Begin by cleaning out the garage. As you do so, you will get a better idea of what is stored there. And help you decide what to keep, what can be donated to Goodwill and what needs to be hauled away. Of course, if you just adding a garage to your home, you can typically skip this step-unless you are moving from a storage shed to the garage in which case you will want to sort out the unused/unwanted items rather than storing them again!
• If you have an assortment of fluids to dispose of, be sure to talk to your local agricultural extension or waste management office to learn the best way to deal with these products.
• If your water heater is in the garage, be sure that it is properly installed; also do not store boxes, tools or other items near the unit.
• Consider swapping out gas power tools for those that are electric or battery powered.
• Use high-efficiency fluorescent bulbs or install a skylight rather than incandescent lighting.

Learn more about garage doors and garage door openers by visiting Premium Garage Door Service of Twin Cities, MN. Article independently authored by Janet Slagell. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Premium Garage Door Service. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.