Garages

Graber has built nearly 400 garages. Each one different from the next.

Some of have been small, very basic and ultra affordable and others have been works of architectural art with expansive spaces and every conceivable option.

"But before we start talking with folks about garages, we always like to be up front and tell them about the three basic choices in garages," says Patrick of Graber.

In an informal survey of our customers, Post Frame Construction or Pole Barn Garages are popular in the East Coast for these ranked reasons

1. For the same quality, durability and strength, they are the cheapest option
2. The color and style combinations make them attractive and not like an "ugly old steel building"
3. The go up fast and don't disrupt the customer with construction crews camping out for weeks at a time
4. It doesn't cost a lot to add to the height of your Graber Garage for taller vehicles

Graber Garages are in use all over the East Coast providing security and storage for Cars Trucks Tractor Trailers Farm Equipment Boats Fire Engines And even Planes

Only Graber Can...

Because of the years of experience in pole building garages, Graber has mastered some of the harder requests from today's customers. Check out some snatches of conversations between our customers and the Graber Team:

Don't trust your garage just to anyone! Make sure to find a builder that has years of experience in customizing, designing and building garages. For some good free advice, check out the section called, What to Look for in a Builder."

Some Ball Park Estimates on Garages

"The three things that go into the cost of a garage are 1) the size 2) the doors and the options you choose", says Andy from Graber. Here's a comparison between 3 jobs we recently did:

"I got an estimate from a builder who wanted almost double of what you guys are going to charge me. I have to ask... How Can You Guys Do it So Cheap?" Patrick from Graber has to answer this question a lot.

"There's really some savings to our operation by specializing in pole buildings. Unlike a general contractor or a jack of all trades, we can streamline our operation and rather than sitting on these savings ourselves, we pass them onto the customer which makes us more popular. Andy from Graber adds, "You don't have the labor like you do with traditional built structures-but I'd put one of our buildings up to those any day. We also can be less expensive because we are using steel which is pretty widely available so it's affordable and you really can't get anything stronger."

Getting Started on Your New Garage:

If you want your garage in 1 month or you think it will be a few years, give the folks at Graber a call on 800-964-1550 and let them kick around a few ideas with you. The best thing about the call (besides being free) is they probably will point out a few things you may have not considered.

For the full story on planning your project, check out How The Process Works.

Insider Tip:
"In the past few years, we've really seen a rise in the popularity of wainscoting," says Patrick from Graber. "It's a finishing touch where the bottom of the side wall is in a different material than what's on top." The most popular combinations used in wainscoting are board and batten which gives a timeless classic look. When you speak with us during your free consultation, make sure you ask us what options you have with this.

The All Important Garage Door

"Based on what our customers wanted, we like Amarr Doors because of the reliability of their spring system and their ultra safe bottom brackets. And because they are probably the biggest garage door company in the area, Amarr simply makes the very best garage door for our customers." Rosita from Graber.

Garage Door Styles:

During your free consultations with our designers, at some point you'll need to select a garage door style. Jonas from Graber:"Aside from the look of the materials you selected on your new building, I'd say the 2nd most noticed part is the Garage door so you want to really pick our brains about all choices we have in styles. Since we offer our customers ...wow... I'd say hundreds and hundreds of different design combinations, most people need some help in narrowing down these overwhelming possibilities."

But the basic styles to choose from are:

	Traditional Raised Panel Doors Your Choice of wood or steel 5 Different Panel Styles 3 Different Window Designs 6 Different Paint Color Choices Stain Grain on wood available
	Carriage House Doors Shown here in wood Just like the historic carriage houses Doors can swing, fold or slide Remote Control activated 6 door and window choices Paint or stain grade wood
	Coach House Carriage House Door 4 layers of insulated steel Swing out appearance but with Overhead operation 11 different design choices Decorative hardware options
	Wood Raised Panel Long panels or shorter panels available Paint or Stain Grade Wood Hemlock, Cedar or Redwood Different window choices
	Traditional Collection 8 different door and window styles Paint or Stain Grade Wood Cedar, Redwood, Fir, Meranti Extra Energy Efficient
	Custom Collection 4 or 5 layers of______? Design your Own door and windows Unlimited wood choices Paint or Stain Grade Wood Extra Energy Efficient
	Lancaster Collection Solid 2" of steel with composite Swing out appearance with overhead Operation Over 100 unique style combinations Wind code ?? available
	4 Seasons Collection Insulated 2- or 3-layer sandwich construction Two insulation options: polystyrene or polyurethane Swing out appearance, overhead operation Long or short grooved panel designs 4 factory finish paint colors or Ultra-grain stained wood look Wind code available
	The Pacific Collection 2 1/8" thick rust-proof aluminum frame 9 window options for varying degrees of light transmission/privacy or solid aluminum panels for total privacy 5 factory finish paint colors or Ultra-grain woodprint stain

Insulation and the steel gauge of a door are important. If you plan on spending a lot of time in your garage, have a room above or adjacent to your garage, or have a lot of activity, such as children playing in front of the doors, then you want to consider the R-Value and the thickness of the steel. R-Value is a measurement of thermal efficiency of a door. The higher the R-Value the better insulated the door. If there is the chance of basketballs hitting the outside of the door, you need to consider a heavier gauge steel, such as a 24 gauge. Remember, the lower the number, the stronger the steel.

Windows on Your Pole Building Garage

"Folks have a lot of different choices when it comes to selecting windows for their garage door, "explains Elvin from Graber. "Garage door windows are really about providing some natural light to the garage and adding some decorative value to the building. Windows are almost always placed high on a garage door-it still gives good light inside it's not easy to see what goodies you have stored inside." Graber installs long last windows that will stand up to the repeated process of rolling up and down on a garage door- one of the reasons garage door windows are smaller. But that's not to say that there aren't styles of door windows out there that are both sharp looking and functional. By knowing what styles a specialist in Garages like Graber can offer you, you can create a garage door that's going to be in keeping with your home and property.

To see a complete list of the Garage Door Windows you can choose from, click here.

"Adding additional windows in your garage is really a balancing out two sides," says Patrick of Graber. On one side you have "the function that natural light gives and the sharper look that windows give to the outside. And other hand you have the small cost of adding windows and a possibly security." Patrick explains to his customers that if they know they won't or can't run electricity to the garage, then windows to let in natural light are a must. And, for just a few dollars more, smartly placing some windows throughout your garage gives it a less boxy look. But by all means, if your one of those rare exceptions where your garage will be in a high crime area- then limiting the access into your building is always a smart move.

Additional windows like the ones you find in your house for a garage can run anywhere between $140 and $300. Make sure to bring this up during your free consultation and hear what an expert advises you in your particular case.

Additional Doors in Your Garage

Sometimes referred to as "house doors", if you want faster access to your garage and don't like the thought of opening then closing the garage every time you ant to go in or out- a "house door" makes smart sense. All Graber garages include not only 1 garage door but 1 house door on each of their buildings. If you see a price for cheap garage- makes sure to check with the builder that these basic and essential parts are included. Some companies will offer a cheaper price then charge extra for both a garage door and house door.

"If you are going to have your garage do double duty, "suggests Ira, "where part of the structure will be a garage to store vehicles and the other part is going to be a workshop, living space, craft room...or whatever, then you may want to think about a 2nd house door so that each part has its own entrance."

Most all house doors are the same but you do have a few fun choices to make.

In material, your house doors can came in:

• Wood
• Steel
• Vinyl

And then once you select the door, you get to choose which style you like - usually determined by the number of windows. Customers of Graber can chose between a solid door a 9 light/9 panel windowed door.

Insulation in Your New Garage

Graber buildings come with an unusually high level of insulation when compared to other builders. The material they use in construction actually carriers more of an insulation value than cheaper products, keeping your garage cooler in summer and warmer in winter. If you'll be using your garage for a workshop, a studio or for any kind of space where you'll be spending considerable amounts of time inside, you may want to opt for additional insulation. The most effective insulation for you garage would be install a vapor guard, or line the whole inside of the structure with #2 grade metal and then use an R-19 insulation.

Other Finishing Touches

Now that you've decided on the important structural and designs elements of your garage, there are just a few final choices to make.

Cupolas atop your garage are a simple way to dress up your building and make it look statelier. "For about another $650 a cupola or a $100 weathervane really gives a building a sense of class. Now if you just want your garage to be purely functional, I don't think I'd recommend it. But if you've already decided to spruce up the appearance by going with a premium siding choice or wainscoting, a Cupola is a smart addition, "councils Dave from Graber.