Looking to upgrade your garage to include some of the latest technology? There is a wide range of different features you can take advantage of to enhance your garage. Features can include a smart garage door opener, internal wireless amenities, and even entertainment! Let’s dive into each.
Smart Garage Door Opener
There are various brands out there that offer smart openers, but there are two that we here at Today Garage Door Services recommend above the rest. Those two are the Chamberlain myQ Garage Smart Control and the Genie Openers with Aladdin Connect.
myQ Opener
The myQ openers by Chamberlain are a great tool to have access to your garage wirelessly from your phone or car. Features include guest access for up to 5 people, allow you to give access to delivery drivers, ability to use the opener in your vehicle, and ability to control lighting and or cameras in or around the garage remotely.
Aladdin Connect
Genie’s Aladdin Connect has fewer features than the myQ and is great for users who simply need remote access from their phone including the ability to set specific times to have the garage door open or closed. You’ll also be able to grant guest access for family and friends as well as for delivery drivers
Wireless Amenities
Just like your home, garages can be equipped with various smart features including a digital thermostat and lighting. The most common wireless thermostat we see and recommend would be the Google Nest as it’s fairly easy to install + connects to the very user friendly Google Home app. For lighting, Chamberlain offers myQ Lighting which is what we recommend, especially if you already have a myQ opener as the lights can be controlled with the same app. In addition, Chamberlain offers cameras that can also connect to devices that are logged into your myQ account.
Both products are extremely user friendly and will save you $ in electricity as you can set custom schedules when these features are running while being able to manually control when you’re away from your garage.
Entertainment
Depending on the size of your garage, you may explore different entertainment options. Whether you like to kick back and relax in your garage or have enough space to work on your own vehicles, we have a couple recommendations to upgrade your garage.
Television
If you plan on spending extended periods of time in your garage, why not have a TV inside? The specific brand and size would depend on your personal preference. If you’re going to mount the TV, make sure you or a professional installer fixes the mount to a stud in the wall to eliminate the risk of the mount dismounting from the wall. In addition, make sure you get a TV that can withstand the temperatures inside the garage, especially if you do not have control of the interior temperature.
Sound
On the same token as the TV, many people enjoy having a sound system in their garage. We recommend installing a fixed shelving system for each speaker, again, fixed to a stud if possible. Having the speakers spread out in the garage is always recommended to enhance the listening experience, with most people having 1 in each corner for a surround sound experience. Same as the TV, the size and brand will depend on personal preference, just make sure the speakers are kept within the correct temperature range according to the product manual.
Appliances
If you already have or plan to have a television and or a sound system, you may want a fridge and or freezer as well. If you plan on using a fridge/freezer regularly, we recommend getting a dual-use product that will satisfy both needs. If you only need a freezer for excess storage, we recommend an open-top chest freezer which may take up less space compared to a fridge/freezer hybrid. With either option, make sure you get one that’s in line with your garage’s electrical capacity.
We’re Here to Help
If you’re looking to upgrade your garage, we hope you found this article helpful. While we here at Today Garage Door Services specialize in garage repair and maintenance, we see more and more garages equipped with various smart features and entertainment so we thought we’d share the most common products. We always recommend to ensure any necessary repairs and routine maintenance have been completed prior to addressing any upgrades or enhancements to your garage space. Due for maintenance or need a repair? Give us a call today!